Adriaen Brouwer beer: history and characteristics
If there is a perfect dark beer, Adriaen Brouwer can safely claim this title. Soft, velvety, with a moderate bitterness and a slight hint of spice and fruit, it is ideal for summer gatherings with friends and for homemade winter evenings. Adriaen Brouwer also has a very rich history, which will be interesting to everyone. And it starts right now!
From Origins to Modernity
The name Adrian Brauwer says little to most ordinary people, but connoisseurs of painting will certainly immediately remember this unusual Flemish painter. He painted in the distant seventeenth century and lived a rather short life, but he is remembered for his brilliant works. Brauwer celebrated the bohemian way of life - he depicted scenes from taverns and hotels, where the main characters were card players, smokers, drinkers and brawlers. However, this does not discourage his paintings; on the contrary, all of them are so charming that today the painter is called nothing less than a "master of living emotion.
By and large, Adrien Brauwer was painting a picture of himself - he, too, was a heavy drinker and a lover of liquor, especially beer. And the Belgians, who by virtue of their origin are reverent towards beer, simply could not help but appreciate this passion of his. And they even organized an annual beer festival in Audenarde, which was dedicated to Brauwer.
Adriaen Brouwer beer is a kind of tribute to the artist and the time in general. It is produced in the Brouwerij Roman NV brewery in the Belgian town of Audenarde. The company traces its history back to 1545 and all that time it has been owned by the same family - the Oman family. The modern brewery building was built relatively recently, in 1930.
Adriaen Brouwer uses mineral-rich spring water from the Flemish Ardennes. Moreover, unlike other brown beers in the region, the company uses pure yeast instead of wild yeast. After brewing, Adriaen Brouwer is matured on oak chips from whiskey and sherry casks and then re-hopped in the bottle. This gives the drink a dense, rounded texture, a bright aroma and a velvety caramel flavor that captivates from the first sip.
How and with what to drink?
Once bottled, Adriaen Brouwer beer can be stored for up to 2 years. In beer restaurants it is usually poured in special branded glasses. As for appetizers, the drink goes with a variety of dishes - both dense meat and sweet. It may also be served with cheeses, spicy oriental dishes, oatmeal liver and seafood. Try it - it's worth it!
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