Taste and color: the choice between filtered and unfiltered beer
Beer lovers are divided into two categories: some believe that there is nothing better than filtered beers, while others believe that only unfiltered beers are truly delicious. As always, the truth is somewhere in the middle, but there really is a difference between filtered and unfiltered beer, and not just in taste.
Read more about production
As a rule, the process of making drinks of the same family, both filtered and unfiltered, is the same in the first stages. Purification allows to remove the sediment formed during the fermentation process, and the number of such filtrations is left to the brewer's discretion — depending on the recipe and the desired final result.
Filtered beer undergoes 2 to 3 levels of purification, including filter carton, which removes even the smallest "garbage" from the drink. Unfiltered beer also passes through special equipment, but only once, and the degree of purification is low.
Pros and cons of filtering
The main argument in favor of purification is the versatility and predictability of the final product. Filtered beer does not give off offensive flavors, because all living bacteria and yeast cells are removed from it as much as possible, it is stored longer and is guaranteed to meet all the expectations of customers.
The situation with unfiltered beer is more complicated. As a rule, it is not suitable for mass distribution, it is highly sensitive to temperature changes because it contains live yeast, it loses flavor and aroma rather quickly even if all the storage conditions are observed. To put it simply, unfiltered beer is a perishable product that must be treated with great care.
But that, according to connoisseurs, is its main advantage. Unfiltered beers are more "alive" and therefore healthier for the body. Studies confirm this — the content of vital vitamins in unfiltered beer is 10 times higher than in processed beer.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which beer is better — both beers have their advantages. Fans of filtered beer note a variety of varieties and a long shelf life, unfiltered beer — the benefits for the body and a richer taste. At Lambic Beer Restaurant, we offer you to try both variants and make your own choice. Or find your favorite drink of each family to get the maximum benefits and enjoyment. We offer hundreds of varieties from the best Belgian producers, and we'll help you find a beer that's sure to please your palate. Come on in!
Top 10 beers most frequently ordered at Lambic
Contents Top 10 bottled beers Top 10 draft beers Compiling a beer chart is no easy task, as everyone has different tastes. But statistics are stubborn things. We analyzed actual orders at Lambic beer restaurants and prepared an honest rating of the most popular beer brands for you. For convenience, we divided it into two categories: bottled and draft. So, here are the best Belgian (and other) beers according to our guests! Top 10 bottled beers Bottles allow brewers to create ideal conditions for maturation and preserve complex flavors. These varieties are favorites among those who appreciate authenticity and depth. 1. Riegele Feines Urhell — An exemplary German lager. Golden, crystal clear, with a pronounced hop bitterness that is perfectly balanced with malt sweetness. The taste is fresh, with light herbal notes. — Alcohol content: 4.7% — Suitable for connoisseurs of classic and pure flavors. An excellent choice for those who are tired of watery mass-produced lagers and are looking for the gold standard. — What to order with it: pretzels, grilled sausages, potato salad, burgers. Bartender's comment: “Often ordered by guests who want a ‘good light beer’. Perfect for the first glass." 2. Eggenberg, Freibier — Non-alcoholic lager with the classic taste of Austrian beer. It has a fresh taste with a delicate bitterness. The aftertaste is long and pleasant. — Alcohol content: 0.5%. — Suitable for those who want to enjoy an evening without alcohol. — What to order with it: seafood. 3. Barbe Ruby — A genuine cherry lambic from Belgium. It has a bright, berry flavor with a pleasant natural tartness and a refreshing aftertaste. — Alcohol content: 7%. — Suitable for lovers of fruit varieties and those who are just discovering the world of Belgian lambics. Often enjoyed by those who usually drink wine or cider. — What to order with it: light salads, meat dishes, desserts. Bartender's comment: “Very often ordered for women's groups or as a dessert beer." 4. Schnitzlbaumer Weisse Alkoholfrei — Non-alcoholic fruity and tart wheat beer. It has a light refreshing taste with a delicate hop bitterness in the aftertaste. — Alcohol content – 0.4%. — Suitable for drivers, athletes, pregnant women, or simply those who don't want alcohol today but crave the taste of real beer. — What to order with it: light salads, soups, grilled vegetables, cheeses. Very refreshing on its own. Guest comment: “I'm driving, but I don't want to drink juice with my friends at the bar. This beer is just what I need. It feels like I'm drinking real wheat beer, but I'm not getting drunk.” 5. Delirium Red — Dessert beer with cherries and elderberry juice. The taste is very juicy, berry-like, sweetish, with a slight sourness in the finish. — Alcohol content: 8.0%. — Suitable for those who like sweet and fruity varieties. Ideal as a digestif. — What to order with it: berry cheesecakes, chocolate fondant, sweet waffles, nuts, fruit. 6. Cider Rebel Apple Nympho — Non-alcoholic apple cider, balanced and moderately sweet. — Alcohol content: 0%. — Suitable for cider lovers who, for whatever reason, cannot order alcoholic options. — What to order with it: light snacks, pastries, desserts. Guest comment: “Great as an aperitif and, overall, a very decent non-alcoholic cider.” 7. Pauwel Kwak — A legendary Belgian strong amber ale. It has a rich, caramel-sweet taste with malty notes. It is famous for being served in a unique glass mug on a wooden coaster. — Alcohol content: 8.4% — Suitable for lovers of history and rich malty flavors. A beer that turns drinking into a ritual. — What to order with it: roast duck or beef, aged cheeses. 8. Kasteel Rouge — A powerful, dessert cherry ale based on strong dark Kasteel beer. The taste is like cherry jam, liqueur, and dark chocolate in one glass. Velvety, sweet, with an almost imperceptible sourness. — Alcohol content: 8.0% — Suitable for those with a sweet tooth and those looking for a substitute for dessert wine or liqueur. Best enjoyed in small portions. — What to order with it: meat dishes, barbecue, dark rice, dark chocolate, coffee tiramisu, nut tartlets. Bartender's comment: “It is most often ordered at the end of dinner. One glass per group to try. A great way to end the evening.” 9. Corsendonk Blanche — A benchmark Belgian witbier. Cloudy, golden in color, with a refreshing taste of coriander, orange zest, and a slight spicy kick. Incredibly aromatic. — Alcohol content: 4.3%. — Suitable for lovers of light, summery, aromatic varieties. An ideal aperitif. — What to order with it: seafood salad, mussels in white wine, goat cheese. 10. Tripel Karmeliet — The pinnacle of Belgian brewing. Brewed according to the original recipe from 1679. The taste combines notes of hops, herbs, citrus, banana, pear, and flowers. Despite its strength, it is incredibly drinkable. — Alcohol content: 8.4%. — Suitable for absolutely everyone. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned connoisseurs. — What to order with it: low-fat cheeses, fried shrimp, dishes with lemon sauce. Bartender's comment: “Our absolute bestseller. When guests ask us to ‘recommend something cool,’ we often suggest Karmeliet. No one has ever regretted it. A legendary beer.” Top 10 draft beers Freshness is the main advantage of draft beer. It is served at the perfect temperature, with the right head, and has that unique “freshly poured” taste. 1. Schnitzlbaumer Lagerbier Hell — A high-quality, pure German lager. It has a pleasant malty base, a light bread-like sweetness, and a soft, noble bitterness. Very smooth and balanced. — Alcohol content: 4.9%. — Suitable for those who want to drink fresh, light, high-quality beer glass after glass. A reliable and win-win option. — What to order with it: pizza, burgers, French fries, any classic bar snacks. 2. Bourgogne des Flandres — A legendary Flemish brown ale. It has a smooth, sweet taste with hints of cherry, caramel, vanilla, and malt. Incredibly refreshing and complex. — Alcohol content: 5.0% — Suitable for gourmets and those who want to try “sour beer” in its most accessible and delicious form. — What to order with it: tuna steak, dishes with cheese sauce, duck. Guest comment: “I tried it for the first time on the bartender's recommendation. I really liked it! Now it's my must-have when I come to Lambic.” 3. Gordon Five — An exquisite premium lager. Dry, refreshing, with a slight sourness and bitterness in the taste. — Alcohol content: 5%. — Suitable for fans of light and fresh beer. An excellent choice for an evening with friends. — What to order with it: cheese platter, fried chicken wings, salmon steak. 4. Eggenberg Helle Weisse — Austrian unfiltered wheat beer. It has a rich flavor with notes of banana, bubble gum, honey, and white pepper, and a bitter aftertaste. — Alcohol content: 5%. — Suitable for wheat beer lovers. Refreshing, aromatic, ideal for warm weather. — What to order with it: pretzels, white sausages, vegetable salads. Bartender's comment: “We recommend this variety when guests ask for ‘something light and aromatic’. The perfect balance of banana and spices — a benchmark wheat beer.” 5. St. Feuillien Grisette Blanche — Belgian witbier with a smooth, soft, creamy taste, notes of banana, citrus, spices, and minimal bitterness. Very refreshing. — Alcohol content: 5.5%. — Suitable for those looking for a light but interesting beer. — What to order with it: seafood salads, light pasta dishes, goat cheese. 6. Sater Premium Lager — A clean, classic, well-fermented lager. It has a slight hop bitterness, which is balanced by malt sweetness. The taste has notes of toast, biscuit, nuts, caramel, and honey. — Alcohol content: 4.8%. — Suitable for those who appreciate the classic beer taste and for those who want to “refresh” themselves after stronger varieties. — What to order with it: any grilled dishes, fish with fried potatoes, sandwiches. Guest comment: “I don't like experiments, I just want a simple, good beer. Sater is just that: a clean taste, a pleasant bitterness, no unnecessary sweetness.” 7. Palm — The most popular Belgian beer in the “special ale” category. Honey-amber in color, with light caramel, bread tones, and a mild bitterness. Incredibly drinkable and versatile. — Alcohol content: 5.2%. — Suitable for any occasion. A Belgian classic that you can drink by the liter without getting tired of the taste. — What to order with it: mussels, carbonara, burgers, grilled sausages. 8. Timmermans Kriek Lambicus — An authentic cherry lambic. Bright, sour cherry flavor with a characteristic “wild” aftertaste from barrel aging. Fresh and sparkling. — Alcohol content: 4.0%. — Suitable for connoisseurs of traditional lambic and those who love fruity sourness. — What to order with it: waffles, light desserts, salads with berries. Bartender's comment: “When you pour it, the cherry aroma spreads throughout the bar. Often people at the next table turn around and ask, ‘What's that?’ It sells itself.” 9. Petrus Aged Red — A Flemish red ale aged in oak barrels. When bottled, its complex sweet and sour profile with cherry and malt notes becomes even more pronounced. — Alcohol content: 8.5%. — Suitable for lovers of fruity varieties. — What to order with it: meat, smoked meats, aged cheeses, desserts. 10. Affligem Blonde — A light Belgian abbey ale with notes of malt, tropical fruits, citrus, vanilla, and honey. — Alcohol content: 6.7%. — Suitable for those who love Belgian classics. — What to order with it: grilled chicken wings, seafood pasta, fish, spicy appetizers. As you can see, our beer rating includes classic lagers, complex Belgian ales, and refreshing wheat beers. The main thing is quality, taste, and proper serving. Choose from our proven top varieties or trust the advice of the bartenders at Lambic. They will help you choose the perfect variety for your mood and dish. Come and try it!
20 February 2026
Beer and desserts
Contents The basic rule What to drink with Lambic desserts There is a stereotype that beer is a drink for salty snacks, smoked meats, and fatty foods. However, this is only partly true. Beer, with its incredible variety of styles, textures, and flavors, can be the perfect accompaniment to desserts. The right combination can enhance the taste of both the dish and the drink itself. Let’s take a look at how to drink beer with sweet foods and which combinations work best. The basic rule Dessert and beer should not compete with each other, but should either complement each other or create a pleasant contrast. Fatty, sweet dishes should be paired with fairly strong, intense beer. Desserts with berries or fruit are an excellent accompaniment to sweet beer with fruity notes. These can be not only juice-based varieties, but also, for example, wheat ales with notes of banana and citrus. For creamy, vanilla-based desserts, such as panna cotta, denser, malty styles of beer are the perfect accompaniment. English porters, mild stouts, and creamy ales have a caramel, nutty, or even slightly chocolatey sweetness that does not conflict with milk fats but envelops them, making the taste more rounded and deep. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, pairs best with dark ales: imperial stout or porter. The bitter aftertaste of dark beer nicely offsets the sweetness. Lambic, a traditional Belgian spontaneously fermented beer, occupies a special place in the world of beer and is ideal for desserts. Its dry, often very complex flavor makes it an ideal pairing for many sweet dishes. What to drink with Lambic desserts Our menu features several wonderful desserts that can serve as a full-fledged appetizer to accompany beer. Let us tell you what to pair them with. Pistachio roll with raspberries This dessert combines nutty depth, the sweetness of creamy custard, the bright acidity of raspberries, and the freshness of mint. You need a beer that will support the nutty and berry notes, but also balance the creamy texture. We recommend a cherry lambic or Belgian fruit ale. Cherry lambic, with its sour profile and almond notes in the aftertaste, will perfectly complement the pistachio, harmonize well with the raspberries, and refresh the palate after the rich cream. An alternative is a less sour Belgian raspberry or cherry ale, which will enhance the berry flavor of the dessert. Gelato and sorbet The most important thing here is the purity of the fruit or cream flavor and the cold texture. The beer should be refreshing, with a bright aroma and good carbonation, so that it does not seem «flat» against the ice cream. A sour ale, such as a gose, is ideal for fruit sorbet. Its salty-sour taste will contrast well with the ice cream and emphasize its fruitiness. Creamy gelato is best served with a wheat ale, which will help to delicately highlight the vanilla. Brownies with salted caramel and ice cream This dessert offers a variety of flavors and textures: the bitterness of chocolate, the sweetness of caramel, and the coolness of ice cream. The beer should be just as powerful to cut through this palette. An interesting choice would be to serve an imperial stout. This drink, with its notes of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel, will be a harmonious complement to the brownies. Belgian waffle with strawberries, ice cream, and hot chocolate This dessert has many layers: a light waffle, sweet berries, cold ice cream, and thick chocolate sauce. It needs to be paired with a beer that will cleanse the palate and enhance the complexity of the flavors. We recommend Belgian dubbel. This variety, with its aroma of dark dried fruits, caramel malt, and light spice, will perfectly complement both the waffle and the chocolate sauce. Tiramisu kataifi with homemade nut liqueur This dessert is a more complex version of the classic: crispy kataifi pastry, coffee, delicate mascarpone cream, berries, and nutty and alcoholic notes of syrup and whiskey. You need a beer that will go well with coffee and nuts without overpowering the cream. An imperial stout is perfect here. A drink with roasted notes and coffee tones will enhance the chocolate and coffee character of the dish. When choosing desserts to accompany beer, follow the general principle: complex with complex, and vice versa. For example, if you don’t know what to pair with a sweet beer, serve it with your favorite fruits or berries. In turn, drinks with a more multifaceted flavor will be a good match for equally exquisite desserts. And if you don’t want to choose for yourself, just come to Lambic. Our menu features hundreds of varieties of beer, and we will be happy to recommend the perfect accompaniment. We also offer a cozy atmosphere and excellent service. We look forward to seeing you!
26 December 2025