Belgian wheat ale - a light beer with a unique taste
It cannot be confused with others - both in appearance and in taste. Belgian beer has a beautiful pale yellow color, which gave its name to the whole trend, and a unique taste - light, fresh, with a slight sourness in the aftertaste. It is also distinguished by a special technology of brewing - when making white ale no hops are used. But first things first.
A bit of history
Belgian white beer was first produced more than 600 years ago in the village of Hougardin, Flanders. For its production an unusual set of ingredients was used - in addition to standard unfermented wheat (50%) and barley malt (50%), a variety of herbs and spices were added to the wort.
For many years white ale was popular, but by the middle of the nineteenth century it was on the decline, and in 1956 the last brewery that produced this type of beer closed. For some time the drink remained in oblivion, and no one knows how its history would have ended, if it were not for the Belgian brewer Pierre Celis. He founded a new production facility in Hoogarden and in 1966 he restored the production of Belgian white beer under the now well-known brand Hoegaarden.
White ale got its popular name because of its unusual milky yellow color. The hue can vary from light straw to golden, but the opacity and lush white foam cap remain unchanged regardless of the variety.
But the main advantage of white ale is its bright taste. Today, in addition to herbs and spices, producers add grated coriander, curacao bark, orange zest, cumin, chamomile, cinnamon and other spices. The result is a highly carbonated beer with a pleasant acidity and a complex bouquet in which you can trace notes of citrus, honey, vanilla and spices. Due to the absence of hops in the composition of white ale almost no bitter, so it is often chosen by those who prefer a lighter and sweeter, but without pronounced fruit and berries in the taste.
Another distinctive feature of white ale is its low alcohol content. As a rule, its strength varies from 4.4 to 5.5%.
You can sample authentic Belgian wheat beer in our beer restaurant We offer a huge selection of ale drinks, from simple to refined, from non-alcoholic to strong, as well as a wide range of beer snacks and individual dishes. Our brasserie also has a cozy atmosphere and professional staff that will help you find the right drink to suit your tastes and the perfect accompaniment for your drink from the menu. Come and see for yourself!
The strongest beers: what to try
Beer is considered to be a light drink - you can drink a lot of it and hardly get tipsy. But this is true only for non-strength varieties. Meanwhile, there are some that can easily give a head start to both vodka and whiskey. Let's tell you more about them! World leaders Brewmeister Snake Venom (67.5%) Scottish ale called “snake venom” for its incredible strength. It is achieved by smoking peat malt, using two types of yeast and multiple freezing. Despite the high concentration of alcohol, the beer is characterized by softness, retaining hop aroma and malt bitterness. Price - more than 6000 rubles. Used in cocktails. Brewdog Strength in Numbers (57.8%) The result of a collaboration between BrewDog and Schorschbräu, who created the beer using the “Icebock” method (freezing and clearing of ice). Additional strength was provided by a 10-year-old whisky. It was released in a limited edition at a price of $40 for 50 ml. Brewmeister Armageddon (65%) Scottish beer made from crystal malt, oats, wheat and spring water. The strength is achieved thanks to the addition of aged whisky. Price - from 5000 rubles. Koelschip Start the Future (60%) Dutch ale obtained by the “Icebock” method. Despite the standard ingredients, the flavor turned out to be unusual - sweet-tart with soapy and peppery notes. Created as an experiment, not flavor-oriented. Price - approximately $46 for 330 ml. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 57 (57%) German ale from the famous Schorschbrau brewery, which usually produces beers with a strength of 13-16%.It is distinguished by dark amber color, oily texture and burning taste with whiskey notes. It is produced in limited batches, the price is $300 for 400 ml.Rock Bottom Campbell Beer PT's Punch (56%)A California ale with guava, orange and passion fruit. Easier to drink than its European counterparts, with a pleasant bitterness and floral notes. Unlike other experimental varieties, the drink is available in online stores for pre-order. Strong in Lambic In our country, of course, you can not drink 50-degree beer. But you can treat yourself to a strong foamy drink in any beer restaurant. At Lambic we offer several with high strength. The result of a collaboration between BrewDog and Schorschbräu, who created the beer using the “Icebock” method (freezing and clearing of ice).Additional strength was provided by a 10-year-old whisky. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest in the world, and the high degree is achieved thanks to fermentation. We will recommend excellent gastronomic accompaniments for all varieties so that you can get a real pleasure. We look forward to seeing you!
23 April 2025
Bornem Double beer: a taste with a history
There are many special options among Belgian brews, especially when it comes to beers with a history. But Bornem Double stands out even among such stars. At the recent California Microbrew Beer Festival, this Van Steenberge Abbey draft was recognized as the best in its category. What is its charm — we will tell you in this article. Main features Bornem Double is a lively beer with a full, rich, velvety flavor that harmoniously combines fruity notes and malt sweetness. The long aftertaste reveals nuances of spices and chocolate, as well as neat hop notes. Separately it is worth talking about the aroma. It is very beautiful, with notes of milk chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla and spices. The variety is good both inside and outside — in the glass it reveals a deep dark brown color with burgundy reflections. Bornem Double is usually served with meat dishes — steaks, grill, game, sausages. Despite the rather high strength of 8%, the beer is very drinkable, and you can hardly feel alcohol in it. It is also perfect for cold seasons, as it has a warming effect. Secrets of production The history of Bornem beer began in 1957 at the Beirens brewery in the town of Wommelgem. After the brewery closed in 1971, thanks largely to the abbots of the Bornem monastery, the recipe was taken over by the Van Steenberge brewery. The beer was originally sold under the St. Bernard brand and with the monk’s image on the label. However, to avoid similarity with the St. Bernardus Watou brand, the logo was changed: an image of a heron holding a fish appeared on the label. The choice of the symbol is not accidental: the heron is a typical inhabitant of the neighborhood of Bornem, which reflects both the charm of the local fauna and the traditional culture of the region. By the way, the word «heron» is often found in the names of local bars and brasseries. The main feature of this dub is the manufacturing technology. The beer is not pasteurized, and after primary fermentation in barrels it undergoes secondary fermentation in bottles, acquiring its unique taste. You can try Bornem Double in any Lambic brasserie. In our beer restaurants you will find a large selection of varieties from all over the world, including Trappists, as well as an excellent assortment of dishes and always cozy atmosphere. Come — we will find something to surprise you!
23 April 2025