Lager: what kind of beer it is and how to drink it properly
Lager is the world’s best-selling beer: almost 80 percent of the lagers on the market can be attributed to this family of beers. Not surprisingly, such popularity gives rise to numerous myths: for example, some people believe that all light, unfiltered beers belong to lagers. But in fact, this is not true: it is not the color, strength or number of filtration that determines what style you belong to. The point is the brewing method: only low fermentation beers (i.e. beers made at low temperatures) can be called lagers. This distinguishes it from ales, which are brewed by top fermentation under warmer conditions.
Accordingly, the lager can be either light or dark. There are hundreds of varieties in this family, including the most popular — Pilsner, Bock, Schwarzbeer and others. What else is known about lager?
How and when?
Lager was born in Germany. Like everywhere else, beer was mainly brewed in monasteries — it was considered a great alternative to everyday beverages that could not boast a high degree of purification or a long shelf life. And because the German monks’ brewing season began in late autumn, the beer matured in cold cellars. Hence the name — «lager» in German means «storehouse».
It turned out that the method of bottom fermentation separates the beer yeast from the wort and settles to the bottom, which gives the drink a special taste. The monks highly valued their invention, proudly called it «liquid bread» and consumed it even during Lent.
Despite the apparent ease of production, modern lager — quite capricious beer. It is sensitive to temperature changes and requires strict adherence to the recipe. To make lager the malt should be firstly crushed, but not to a pulp, then soaked and filtered. Only after the mash is separated from the solid particles go to the boiling. Hops are added to the boiling mass, then cool it down to 5-10 degrees, and only then the yeast is added to the wort. It takes up to four months for the lager to mature. To «sink» the yeast to the bottom, the fermentation temperature is gradually reduced during the whole period.
The secrets of use
The classic of the family is European amber lager, which has a characteristic color and universal taste. Also popular variants include pilsner, which is made from light malt, dark lager with a smell of caramel, black Schwarzbier and bock of roasted malt. A distinctive feature of lagers — notes of bread, rye and banana in the aroma and a long pleasant aftertaste.
Lager should be consumed at a temperature of 5-8 degrees. Higher or lower is not an option: the drink will lose some of its flavor. After the lager has been poured into the glass you need to let it breathe and just before drinking it you need to shake it in a circular motion, covering the neck of the glass with your hand. Roll the drink in your mouth like wine, you do not need to — its taste is felt brightest after swallowing.
The best lager is waiting for you in the beer restaurant Come and try it!
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