Any Russian knows that vodka should be drunk cold and necessarily snacked on with kippers, pickled mushrooms or, for example, sauerkraut. Beer is the same story: there are certain rituals for drinking this drink. And each country has its own rituals. We offer to study the most interesting ones, so that you can check everything in practice while traveling.
In Germany — one of the most «beer-swilling» countries in the world — to order a beer in a pub, you don’t even have to talk to the waiter. It is enough to make eye contact with him and show him on your fingers how many glasses you want. This method is especially common at large beer festivals like Oktoberfest.
Germans also have some interesting stories to tell about beer. For example, it was in Germany in the XIV century that the famous glasses with lids were invented to protect the drink from the bubonic plague. And until the eighties of the last century they observed the so-called «law of purity», according to which beer should consist of only four ingredients — water, malt, hops and yeast.
In Belgium, beer is almost never appetizer, but can, on the contrary, wash down food with it. However, it is bad form to drink beer straight from the bottle: brewers take care that their beverage can reveal its flavor to the maximum, so there are special glasses for each type.
Tourists joke that Belgians have beer running through their veins instead of blood, and by and large they are not wrong — until the 1980s, beer was even poured in schools instead of Pepsi. However, it was of very low strength (up to 2.5%).
In the Czech Republic the culture of beer drinking is quite strict, and all unwritten rules are strictly adhered to by beer lovers. For example, a man should be the first to enter the beer hall, only the first glass should be touched, and beer should not be poured from one container to another. If you decide to stop, you should put a bierdekel, i.e. a beer stand, on the glass. Otherwise, the waiter will pour the drink over and over again.
In this Scandinavian country beer can even become a medicine — it is often prescribed as a mild antidepressant. And to drink beer, or rather to make toasts, clinking glasses with beer, it is necessary to look into each other’s eyes — this is a long-standing tradition.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, rituals are honored, and beer rituals are also found. For example, if you come to a beer restaurant in a large company — you need to appoint a person who will pour all the foam. And in Japan there is also an unusual way of cooling beer. Pre-frozen beer foam from a special machine is added to glasses.
There is such a phenomenon as «beer pilgrimage» here. There are special establishments with «holes in the walls» where you can quickly get your pint of beer and leave. Locals advise to approach such «holes» at least four times a day. Or at least before dinner to work up an appetite.
And to find out how beer is drunk in Russia, come to Lambic. We will show you, advise you on the best varieties and give you lots of bright emotions!
It is tacitly believed that the best beer is brewed in Europe — Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, there are other countries which produce high-quality foam, it is just that it is not so popular in Russia. For example, Japan. Connoisseurs will confirm: it is almost impossible to find tasteless beer in the land of the rising sun. On the shelves of Japanese stores there are both classic varieties and unusual labels. A bright representative of the latter is Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. Let’s find out what exactly it is good for. Freshness and harmony The original Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is brewed on the basis of Hitachino Nest Lager light lager, but with a secret ingredient. Yuzu juice, or Japanese citron, is added to the drink. Thanks to this fruit, the taste and aroma of the beer acquires characteristic citrus notes, refreshing sourness and piquant bitterness. In addition to yuzu itself, the flavor of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager has notes of tangerine, grapefruit, malt and hops. And in addition to the citrus sourness, the full-bodied flavor also shows light malt notes. Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is so refreshing and drinkable that it is often consumed without gastronomic accompaniment, as an aperitif. It is the perfect drink for hot weather or to quench thirst. This beer can also be served with light appetizers, salads and seafood. A bit of history If you want to delve more into Japanese beer culture, it’s also worth learning more about the maker of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. This is a Kiuchi company founded by Kiuchi Nihei in the city of Naka in 1823. Initially, the company only produced sake, and later switched to other alcohols such as wine, liqueurs, and beer. In 1996, Kiuchi put beer production on stream by opening its own mini-brewery, Hitachino Nest. Hitachino is the old name of the province, which in ancient times was known for its fertile soils and abundant crops of grains from which excellent beer was brewed. Kiuchi products have repeatedly received prestigious awards at beer competitions and festivals, not only in Japan, but also abroad. The beer is appreciated for its excellent taste and quality, and the company itself is appreciated for its loyalty to tradition: since its foundation, for almost two centuries, it has been owned by the same family. Looking for a place to try Japanese beer in Moscow? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant. We have many interesting varieties that will pleasantly surprise you!
24 March 2025
When the thermometer is high, nothing is as refreshing as a cold beer. Especially if it’s lambics — a traditional Belgian sour beer with natural juice, which not only gives a pleasant coolness, but also pleases with deep flavor. Why fruit beer saves you in the heat Light sourness, sparkling «character» and juicy fruit notes make lambics an ideal drink for summer. Unlike heavy ales or bitter IPAs, fruit beers are easy to drink, almost like lemonade, but with a distinctive beer depth. It stimulates the appetite, quenches thirst and gives a feeling of freshness thanks to the natural juices in the composition — cherry, raspberry, peach or other fruits and berries. What to choose The best option for hot weather — sour lambics, which do not leave an unpleasant feeling of lusciousness, like a sweeter beer or soda. For example, the classic cherry Kriek MAX. The bright flavor of ripe berries and pleasant sourness make it perfect for a hot day. «Kriek» is not too sweet, with a slight tartness and a long aftertaste. If you like softer, sweeter options, Lindemans Pecheresse is your choice. This peach lambic has a honeyed and fruity bouquet, a light sparkle and velvety texture, and a slight acidity and refreshing note in the finish. A variant for cider lovers, but it’s still a lambic — Lindemans Apple. The drink has a bright rich taste, which perfectly balances the sweetness of red and sourness of green apples, pleasant aroma and refreshing aftertaste. Perfect for a hot day! How to drink lambics in the heat For a beer to be truly refreshing, proper serving is important. Lambics should be: — Cool down to 6-8°C — this will reveal all the nuances of flavor, but will not lose the freshness.— Serve in tall glasses — the flavor will «play». If desired, you can add ice to the drink, but do not get carried away — there is a chance to «dilute» the deep flavor of Lambic. And it is better to just have to go to Lambic! In our beer restaurants — a large selection of varieties from Belgium and other countries of the world. Proper serving of drinks, delicious food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service are guaranteed!
21 June 2025