How to know if the beer is of high quality: 5 important nuances
Even expensive and proven beer can sometimes be upset, for example, if it has not been stored or bottled properly. There is nothing to say about unfamiliar varieties, especially low-priced ones - the risk of running into a bad drink increases many times over. To avoid this, it is important to know how to determine the quality of a beer before you taste it. There are five criteria that will help you to do it even at home. What are they?
Select and open
There are many kinds of beer, and each producer sets a different shelf life depending on the technology used. But there are universal figures for most light lagers (this is the kind of beer most often bought in regular stores). The strength of the drink usually does not exceed 5 revolutions and the density is 12%. The shelf life will tell you about the technology: half a year means pasteurization was used, a year - preservatives were definitely involved. If you don't want to deal with the latter, you'd better not buy lagers with a long shelf life.
After you open the bottle, pay attention to the smoke coming from the neck. Many people think it's a sign of quality, but it's not: if there's smoke coming out of the bottle, it means that the beer has been gassed artificially.
Pour
The first thing to pay attention to when pouring is the foam. The height of the foam cap may vary depending on the brew and the glass into which the beer is poured, but in any case, it must be stable - that is, it must hold for at least 3-4 minutes. If it has fallen off faster, it could indicate stale or oxidized beer.
If we are talking about lager varieties, it is also worth evaluating the color and clarity. Real lager should be light yellow or golden in color, and the more transparent the liquid, the higher the quality of the drink and softer its taste. To determine the purity of the glass you need to hold it up to a light source - the liquid in it should shine and sparkle slightly. Of course, this method is not suitable for styles, which are characterized by turbidity, but usual light beer is definitely worth checking for transparency.
Smell
Light beer usually has a pronounced hop aroma, while dark beer has a malt aroma. No extraneous aromas - soapy, too bright yeast, unpleasant vegetable or alcoholic - should be emitted by the beer. As a rule, odors that are not specific for a particular brew are indicative of brewing technology violations or insufficient disinfection of equipment.
Try
If everything looks good at first glance, you can move on to tasting. To assess the taste, you need to take a small sip and listen to the sensations. The drink should be easy to drink and should have no unspecific flavors. It is also important to assess the aftertaste, the bitterness of the hops should be mild. If it lingers indefinitely and the bitter taste remains in your mouth, it may indicate flaws in the hop hop hop technology.
Drinks that never disappoint await you at our beer restaurant We know how to store and serve beer, so you can enjoy your favorite flavors here without compromise. We look forward to your visit!
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