Belhaven McCallum's Stout: Your Perfect Harbor
This beer revolutionized the world of stouts: the producers took a risk and made the famous dark beer sweet. Yes, it is nothing like Guinness, the world's most famous stout, but that is what makes it unique. How Belhaven brewery made such an experiment and why Belhaven McCallum's Stout became so popular all over the world - we will tell you in this article.
How it all began
Beer in the village of Belhaven (literally translated as "beautiful harbor") began to be brewed in the 12th century. At first it was monks, then in 1719 they were replaced by the Johnstone family who founded their brewery there. The location was ideally suited for production, the region boasted the finest barley, and the brewery had its own spring of pure natural water. In addition, in the first half of the nineteenth century a railroad was built to the village, which immediately opened up new opportunities for trade.
However, the family company, which specialized in traditional Scottish beers, did not become very popular. And by the 70s of the last century, the business had stalled altogether - the small company could not stand up to the industrial giants. The Belhaven brewery found a new life later, in 1972, when it had a new owner.
The new director of production development is Stuart Oss. And it was under his leadership three new beers appeared in the brewery, among them the famous Belhaven McCallum's Stout. Stuart Oss stayed in his position until 2008, and during this time the talented brewed beverage managed to become truly legendary.
Secret ingredient
Despite the fact that the Scots are famous fans of strong alcohol, the owners of Belhaven brewery decided to do the opposite - to make stouts atypical, lighter and sweeter. They lowered the degree of the drinks and made their taste richer - and the consumer liked it.
Belhaven McCallums Stout is one of the most popular beers in the lineup. The only thing that makes it similar to a traditional stout is a lush foamy cap, thanks to the nitrogen capsule the producer glues to the bottom of the can. The color, on the other hand, is quite different: red-brown and transparent. The aroma of the drink is very mild, with a slight caramel sweetness and hints of fruit and berries. Hop bitterness is almost imperceptible and appears only after the drink warms up.
The taste of the beer is soft, sweet and dense. There are notes of dried fruits and caramel, raisins and apples, as well as distinct notes of bread. The aftertaste is short, with a slightly more noticeable bitterness than the taste.
True connoisseurs of stouts often argue whether this variety should be accepted into the family or it is rather a variation for the general consumer, which has nothing to do with gourmet tastes. Whether it is or not is up to you to decide, but one thing is certain: the taste of Belhaven McCallum's Stout is memorable from the first sip, and it is definitely worth a try for anyone who is even a little bit into foamy beverages. For example, at any of the Lambic beer restaurants - come!
Summer lambics: refresh yourself with a fruity beer from Belgium
When the thermometer is high, nothing is as refreshing as a cold beer. Especially if it’s lambics — a traditional Belgian sour beer with natural juice, which not only gives a pleasant coolness, but also pleases with deep flavor. Why fruit beer saves you in the heat Light sourness, sparkling «character» and juicy fruit notes make lambics an ideal drink for summer. Unlike heavy ales or bitter IPAs, fruit beers are easy to drink, almost like lemonade, but with a distinctive beer depth. It stimulates the appetite, quenches thirst and gives a feeling of freshness thanks to the natural juices in the composition — cherry, raspberry, peach or other fruits and berries. What to choose The best option for hot weather — sour lambics, which do not leave an unpleasant feeling of lusciousness, like a sweeter beer or soda. For example, the classic cherry Kriek MAX. The bright flavor of ripe berries and pleasant sourness make it perfect for a hot day. «Kriek» is not too sweet, with a slight tartness and a long aftertaste. If you like softer, sweeter options, Lindemans Pecheresse is your choice. This peach lambic has a honeyed and fruity bouquet, a light sparkle and velvety texture, and a slight acidity and refreshing note in the finish. A variant for cider lovers, but it’s still a lambic — Lindemans Apple. The drink has a bright rich taste, which perfectly balances the sweetness of red and sourness of green apples, pleasant aroma and refreshing aftertaste. Perfect for a hot day! How to drink lambics in the heat For a beer to be truly refreshing, proper serving is important. Lambics should be: — Cool down to 6-8°C — this will reveal all the nuances of flavor, but will not lose the freshness.— Serve in tall glasses — the flavor will «play». If desired, you can add ice to the drink, but do not get carried away — there is a chance to «dilute» the deep flavor of Lambic. And it is better to just have to go to Lambic! In our beer restaurants — a large selection of varieties from Belgium and other countries of the world. Proper serving of drinks, delicious food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service are guaranteed!
21 June 2025
Summer appetizers for Belgian beer: from seafood to desserts
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Belgian beer. But what to pair it with? When it’s hot outside, you want something light, fresh, yet rich. And that’s where seafood, cheeses, fruits and desserts come in, which perfectly complement the rich flavors of Belgian brews. Seafood In summer, chilled shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce are especially good — they set off the malty sweetness of pale ales and wheat beers. But other seafood can pair well with Belgian beers, too. Here are some ready-made tips: — Blanche de Bruxelles or Hoegaarden — whizbiers with citrus notes — can be served with mussels and low-fat sauces. — Saison Voisin, a farmhouse ale with a spicy hop bitterness, will accentuate the flavor of grilled oysters or calamari. Cheeses The Belgians know a lot about cheese, and their beers harmonize well with different varieties: — Sharp aged cheeses (such as gorgonzola) are a great pairing for a strong Tripel Karmeliet.— Delicate goat cheeses with honey go perfectly with fruity lambics like Lindemans Kriek. Fruit salads and berries In the heat of the day, it’s especially nice to snack on fresh fruit — it enhances the fruity notes in the drink itself: — Cherries, strawberries, peaches — a win-win for Kriek or Framboise.— A fruit salad with citrus and mint is a refreshing pairing for a blanche, such as Corsendonk Blanche. Desserts If you want to end the evening on a sweet note, give these a try: — Waffles with berries and whipped cream — duo with St. Bernardus Abt 12 or Chimay Blue.— Lemon tart — will emphasize the citrus tones of the vitbiers or lambics.— Chocolate desserts — the perfect accompaniment for Kasteel Rouge, Petrus Aged Red and Delirium RED, as well as all chocolate and coffee varieties. And remember: summer appetizers should be light and should accentuate, not overpower, the flavor of the beer. It is best to serve them chilled to keep the balance and enjoy every sip. Come to Lambic — in our beer restaurants you will find the best beer from all over the world and the perfect accompaniment to it. We look forward to seeing you!
21 June 2025