To drink or not to drink: should I drink non-alcoholic beer while driving?
It would seem that non-alcoholic beer was invented for what else - exactly for those cases when you want to enjoy your favorite drink, but you can't mess with the degrees. But it's not that simple: a small percentage of alcohol is present even in "nullivka". So should you thoughtlessly consume non-alcoholic beer while driving or is it still necessary to adhere to some rules? Let's find out.
What is non-alcoholic beer and what are the consequences?
Non-degree beer is brewed from the same ingredients and in the same way as regular beer. The only difference is that in the final stage the alcohol is removed from it. Usually it is either evaporated or removed with a special filter, or fermentation is suppressed in the process.
But it is impossible to get rid of alcohol completely, and after all the stages of purification there is a small percentage of alcohol in beer. Usually not more than 0.5%, i.e. less than in kvass or kefir. After one can of non-alcoholic beer, the number of ppm in the blood will be about 0.04. The permissible rate of alcohol in the body is 0.35 ppm, which means that you can drink one or even several bottles without the risk of being fined for drunken driving.
However, there is a nuance here. The police officer may smell alcohol, because non-alcoholic beer smells the same as drinks with degrees. And this can lead to other problems - for example, an offer to undergo examination in a medical facility. Under no circumstances refuse, especially if you drank non-alcoholic beer in moderation - for disagreement you can be deprived of the license, and the examination will show that the truth is on your side.
What's the safety net?
To be sure not to get into trouble when drinking non-alcoholic beer, wait 15 minutes - according to research, during this time it is completely out of the body. Of course, this tactic will not work if you drink a lot at once - with a large volume there will be more alcohol. But if you slowly enjoy your favorite drink for 2-3 hours, and then wait a little more - you certainly will not exceed the acceptable norm.
To summarize, it is possible to say that you should not drink beer while driving - if you get carried away, you may miss the moment when the amount of alcohol in blood will go over the limit. But it is possible to relax in good company and after a short period of time to get behind the wheel - so you will be sure that you do not commit anything illegal. And if you also choose a really tasty drink, such as non-alcoholic beer from the best Belgian producers, which are usually offered in a specialized beer restaurant, forced sobriety exactly will not be any disadvantage. Because beer is first of all a pleasure of taste!
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