Belgian beer that everyone should try
When we say Belgium, we mean beer, and this is not an exaggeration: the foamy drink is really one of the main symbols of the country. And its quality is recognized even on an international level: in 2016, UNESCO included Belgian beer in the list of cultural heritage of mankind.
Belgium is the birthplace of the world famous, and sometimes even legendary, styles of beer: Trappist, Blanche, Lambic. Each of them has dozens of varieties, which, although they have a common character, still differ markedly in taste. It's up to everyone to decide which one they prefer, but we offer a little guide for those who are just starting to get acquainted with Belgian beer heritage.
Westmalle Trappist Tripel
If you are ever asked to describe Belgium with just one drink, choose Westmalle Tripel. First of all, it is a Trappist beer, which means that it is already unique: it is brewed in only 13 certified breweries, which are located in real Catholic monasteries. Secondly, it is also a blanc - a white ale, a special kind of beer with a distinctive flavor. This particular variety has a strength of 9.5%, a mild fruity taste and an attractive "appearance" - a white-gold color and a dense foamy cap. A couple of decades ago it was voted "the best beer in the world", and since then Westmalle Tripel has only strengthened its position!
Lindemans Kriek
This lambic, though it is more of a variation of the original line, is for some reason particularly loved by connoisseurs around the world. This Belgian beer is made by spontaneous fermentation - microorganisms from the air get into the open vat with the wort and provoke the fermentation process. It differs from the usual lambic in the nuances of production - before the filtration they add cherry juice to it as well. It is ideal for those who can't like other types of this style because of the excessive acidity - the berries in the composition make it sweeter.
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Rodenbach Grand Cru has a really complex composition - beers of different ages are mixed, bacteria of different strains are added, in general, it's real magic. But the result is worth it - the soft taste with distinct cherry and plum notes (with the complete absence of fruit in the composition) will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated connoisseurs.
Dubuisson Bush Caractere
The character is really felt in everything: from the strength (as much as 12%) to the nuances of the production. he Dubuisson Bush Caractere recipe has been kept a top secret for many years, but we know that the water for it is extracted from the sources in the cellars of the brewery, and the unique yeast and exclusive malt are used for brewing it. The taste is worth it: mild, with a perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness. It is impossible not to fall in love!
If you're not going to visit Belgium yet, we invite you to the Lambic beer restaurant - here you can taste all the above-mentioned brands and hundreds of others, traditional and original. And surely - with the best appetizer, which will accentuate the noble taste of the drinks. We are waiting for you!
Jeju Beer Company: legendary craft from South Korea
When talking about good beer, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and other European countries are most often mentioned. And the reason for this is not that other parts of the globe do not make high-quality foam, it is simply that many varieties simply do not reach Russia. It is about such a case — the famous South Korean beer of Jeju Beer Company — that we will talk today. History of the brewery Jeju Beer Company was founded in 2015 on the largest Korean island of Jeju. The company, whose main mission is to create a new beer culture in the country, became the first global craft brewery in Korea, and in a short period of time — also the most popular. According to analytics, one bottle of Jeju Beer is purchased every three seconds in the country. In 2017, the company introduced a series of new wheat beers, including the already sensational Jeju Wit Ale, Jeju Pellong Ale and Jeju Slice. The highlight of these brews is the composition: the unique flavor of the beer is given by the rind of gamgyul, a citrus plant native to Jeju. Now Jeju Beer Company’s beer is exported to Taiwan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and other countries of the world. The global distribution network of the Korean brewery is ensured by partnership with Brooklyn Brewery. Jeju Beer Company is a winner of many festivals, in particular, the winner of silver medals of Australian International Beer Awards and Korea Liquor Awards 2019 in the category of craft beer. Best brews One of the most popular brews is Jeju Wit Ale. It is a luxurious wheat beer with the addition of the aforementioned Jeju Island citrus and coriander. The drink has a delicate floral aroma and a pleasant taste dominated by citrus notes. The beer recipe was developed in collaboration with Garrett Oliver, brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery and winner of the James Beard Award, which is called the «Oscars» for chefs in the beer industry. Special attention should be paid to Jeju Pellong Ale. This is an American Pale Ale style beer with a citrusy aroma dominated by tones of apricot. The flavor has the sweetness of the tropics. The aftertaste is dry, with a pleasant citrus bitterness. There is also Jeju Geomeong Ale, a dark beer made with local black barley and chocolate malt. The drink has a rich flavor that reveals tones of coffee and dark chocolate. The same notes, as well as malt sweetness, can be felt in the taste of the drink. You don’t have to go to South Korea to try Jeju Beer Company beer. Come to Lambic! Our beer restaurants have hundreds of high quality beers from all over the world. We also have delicious food, excellent service and always cozy atmosphere. We are waiting for you!
23 January 2025
Belgian waffles: history of origin and interesting facts
If you ask anyone what Belgium is associated with, most people will name three things — a sculpture of a boy in Brussels, beer and, of course, waffles. Flavorful, airy and crispy, they have long ceased to be just a dish on restaurant menus and have become a real culinary landmark of the country. Back in the past Surprisingly, the history of the most famous waffles originates not in Belgium, but in the United States. During the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, Belgian pastry chef Walter Clement introduced his unique dish to the Americans. The waffles, served with strawberries and whipped cream, were so well liked by the local population that they soon spread throughout America. It is said that in the first four months after the «premiere» more than half a million waffles were sold in the United States. It is believed that the name «Belgian» was established because not all Americans knew where Brussels was located. In their homeland, Belgium, the famous waffles are called only Brussels waffles. Did you know that... Brussels waffles are made from yeast dough in cast iron waffle makers, which makes them soft on the outside and crispy on the inside. Some pastry chefs add a secret ingredient to it, but what it is they don’t reveal. There is speculation that it could be one of the beers, but there is no proof for this theory. Brussels waffles are often confused with Liege waffles, which are also made in Belgium, in the city of Liege. But these are different dishes: Liege waffles are drier, more like buns, and their dough contains bits of caramelized sugar. Classic Belgian waffles are sweet, served with coffee or tea. But there are also unsweetened waffles with different fillings. Where to try Of course, it is better to taste any national dish at home, but if you can’t go to Belgium yet — come to Lambic! Our Belgian beer restaurants have everything to feel the real taste of this wonderful country: dozens of varieties of beer, national cuisine and cozy atmosphere. And for Belgian waffles we have allocated a whole section with sweet classics with strawberries and ice cream, and unsweetened potato positions with fish, meat and other fillings. Come — it will be delicious!
23 January 2025