It's a match: how to taste beer properly to love it
Why do some people love the flavor of beer, while others feel nothing but bitterness? Of course, everyone’s tastes are different, but it’s possible that some people simply taste it wrong. The temperature at which the drink is served, the glass into which it is poured, even the appetizer — everything matters. We tell you how to drink beer to feel all the flavor nuances.
Five steps to the perfect taste
The first thing to do is to pick the right beer you want to taste. You shouldn’t force yourself to try something you’re guaranteed not to like. Pay attention to the color of the bottle (in a container made of dark glass the drink is better stored), color, density. For example, light and transparent beer will almost certainly not have a grain flavor, and the flavor itself will be light and refreshing. A drink of a more saturated hue — from straw to amber — is likely to have bright malt notes in the flavor, which will be manifested by caramel, biscuit and dried fruits. In a dark beer, the nuances will be more «heavy» — smoke, coffee, chocolate and so on. Density also matters — the higher it is, the brighter the flavor will appear.
In order for beer to fully reveal its flavor, it is important to serve it at the right temperature. For different varieties it can vary, but on average it is 8-10 degrees. Dark malts, such as stouts, should be served even warmer.
When you pour the beer, do not rush to taste it, first assess the aroma. If the beer is of good quality, you can distinguish many pleasant odors in it. It works the same way with food: food that smells good seems more appetizing.
When tasting, the main rule is to take your time. Take a sip, hold the beer in your mouth for a while and only then swallow. At first you will feel the freshness and sourness of the bubbles released from the drink. The second phase is the most vivid flavor: sweetness or bitterness. Don’t concentrate on it: once your brain gets used to the dominant flavor, you will be able to taste the others. And at the very end, you will taste the aftertaste, which can also be different, but always pleasant — if, of course, you drink a quality drink.
And, of course, you should not forget about the glass into which you pour the beer and the appetizers you serve with it. Properly selected glassware will also help to reveal the taste nuances, and good appetizers — to emphasize them. It’s best to choose both based on the variety. Many brewing companies in their blogs make recommendations in which glass and with which dishes it is better to serve this or that drink.
And if you don’t want to study the question yourself, come to any beer restaurant of the Lambic chain. We will serve beer in the right glass and at the right temperature, as well as advise you on what food to order with it. Such a tasting will definitely be a success!
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