What appetizers will go with ale: looking for the right combinations
While the lager is a universal, because it goes with both gourmet dishes and the simplest snacks, the ale always requires a special attitude. It's all about the complex rich flavor, for which it is appreciated by many fans all over the world. Bouquet of ale unfolds only at room temperature, so it is categorically not recommended to serve it much chilled. The same goes for the hors d'oeuvres, which, if not properly chosen, may drown out the taste of the drink. And on the contrary, with a competent accompaniment it is possible to emphasize even the most imperceptible flavor nuances.
What to combine it with?
First of all, it depends on the variety. Here are some general tips:
— Amber ales go with most dishes in principle, even soups, the only thing is that you should not mix them with sweet snacks.
— Light and golden varieties reveal themselves perfectly in combination with spicy dishes. It can be Thai, Indian, Mexican cuisine - it depends on preferences.
— Dark ale will be in perfect harmony with chicken dishes, game, sausages, hamburgers. It's also a perfect pairing for desserts, like chocolate, cheesecake, ice cream, and so on.
More specifically, there are even more interesting flavor combinations to be found. For example, Belgian wheat ale can be paired with soft cheese, salads with citrus dressing, and other light dishes. You can also play on contrasts - for example, pair fish marinated in lemon or lime juice.
American wheat ale is better mixed with seafood, standard pale ale with smoked meats, Indian ale with curry or original desserts like fried ice cream. White and cream ales are a great choice for spicy food lovers: they are perfect with chili, spicy snacks and spicy dishes. Brown ales are the perfect accompaniment to meats, such as pork or smoked sausages, chicken marinated in a variety of sauces and herbs.
If you're not planning a full meal, you can choose something neutral, like nuts. They go well with any kind of ale, as long as they are not too salty and without additives.
Try a delicious ale in combination with properly chosen dishes at Brasserie. At any of our beer restaurants you can find a huge selection of beer, from simple to refined sorts, from strong to non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a big menu of various snacks. We guarantee the best combinations, cozy atmosphere and maximum pleasure of taste!
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Why is traditional kölsch beer in German beer restaurants only served in narrow, elongated, small glasses? Why is it that local brews in other countries are served, for example, in pint glasses? It’s not a marketing move — the point is that in a properly shaped vessel beer better reveals its flavor and aroma, as well as retains a stable foam. And if you choose the right container, you can even at home to get maximum pleasure from your favorite varieties. To help all beer lovers — our guide to glasses! A pint of Nonic Suitable for styles: india pale ale, porter, brown ale, cider This is a versatile glass that is ideal for drinkable, low-alcoholic varieties. There are three types of pint glasses, the most popular being the 0.6 liter Nonic from the UK. It is a container with slightly curved walls that widen slightly at the bottom. Snifter Suitable for styles: stout, porter, barleywine The same «pouzat» glass that is also often seen in beer restaurants. The deep bowl retains the distinct flavor of the drink well, and the short stem allows it to be slightly warmed by human body heat, thus bringing out the aroma. The snifter is ideal for aromatic brews such as strong ales. Tulip Suitable for styles: Belgian ale, wild ale This glass is somewhat like a snifter, but with an elongated rather than narrowed neck. The tulip retains foam well, and the container also helps to capture volatile substances. A great choice for strong styles, although experts say it’s the perfect shape for any variety if you plan to drink just one glass. Pilsner Suitable for styles: lager, pilsner, bock A glass for serving all light lagers, including pilsners. It has a long shape with pronounced straight lines and a slightly tapered neck, which helps to stabilize the foam. The pilsner is also ideal for showing off the color and carbonation of the drink. Weitzen Suitable for styles: hefeweizen, witbier A smoothly shaped glass with a wide neck, originally from Germany. It is ideal for serving a variety of wheat beers, such as Hefenweizens and Belgian Witbiers. In such a glass, the flavor of the beverage will unfold well and a lush, high foam will be retained. Teku Suitable for: double IPA, saison, lambic This 0.3-liter glass is a relatively recent development and rather resembles a version of the famous tulip, but with sharper corners. The container well reveals the flavor of the drink and preserves the foam, and the long stem prevents it from heating up. By the way, in Lambic restaurants beer is served only in the right glasses. Come and see for yourself!
27 March 2024
Learning how to properly store beer so it doesn't lose its flavor
Has it ever happened that you buy expensive and seemingly high-quality beer, but it doesn’t live up to expectations? Often the taste qualities are affected not only by the manufacturing process, but also by transportation and storage of the drink, and not only in the manufacturer’s warehouses, but also at home. And if you can’t influence some moments, then every responsible beer lover should understand the rules of home storage. We tell you how to properly store beer so that it retains its true flavor. No hot rooms Many people put beer in the fridge just before drinking, but before that they simply store it in drawers in the kitchen. This can be done, but not for long — after a few weeks, even at room temperature, beer will inevitably start to lose its flavor. The ideal storage temperature for beer is about +1 °C. Some varieties can be stored at 10-12 degrees, but if you are not ready to understand the subtleties — it is better to choose a cool place for beer. And even more so, beer should not be stored in hot rooms, for example, next to a radiator — it will quickly become unusable. Out of the sunlight The flavor of beer can be spoiled if it is constantly exposed to sunlight. Brown glass bottles cope best with direct rays — they keep out about 98% of the radiation. Green bottles, on the other hand, are only 20% impervious. It is undesirable to store beer in transparent bottles; it is better to consume it immediately after purchase. Therefore, the optimal storage method for all varieties is a dark space. Ideally a cellar, but a cupboard in the pantry will also work. Don’t open it! Leaving the beer open to finish it tomorrow is a bad decision. In the air, the drink quickly wears off and loses its flavor. By the way, oxygen can also get into closed bottles, if, for example, the production technology is broken. But this will immediately indicate an atypical odor — cardboard, paper or wax. Such a drink can not only not give pleasure, but also harm your health. And be sure to check the expiration dates even on tested varieties. How do you store draught beer? The average shelf life of draught beer is 3 days if the storage rules are followed. Such a short period of time is due to the fact that during bottling beer comes into contact with air, the bottle is not airtight and sterile. How long can you store draft beer in the bottle so that it does not spoil? Here are some tips. Of course, beer should be kept in the refrigerator. Strong beer should be stored at a temperature of no more than 15 degrees, low-alcohol beer — no more than 10 degrees. If the beer is not stored in the refrigerator but in another cold place, take care to keep it dark. Bacteria are more active in the presence of light. Bottles should be stored vertically. Because quality live beer has yeast sediment, storing it in the refrigerator is strongly discouraged. At low temperatures, the yeast dies, which also affects the flavor. Live beer is best consumed immediately after purchase — it is not pasteurized and therefore does not keep for long. Better still, come and try it at any Lambic beer restaurant. We take a responsible approach to beer storage and guarantee its excellent taste!
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