The blue moon is to blame: the story of the Belgian beer Blue Moon
Belgian, but from America, surprisingly tasty, but affordable, witbier, but instead of curacao - sweet orange ... Blue Moon beer is as if woven from contradictions, and this is precisely its uniqueness. No wonder they said about him that such discoveries happen only on the Blue Moon. One random phrase later became the name of the variety, but it was clearly no accident that led to worldwide popularity.
What is it anyway?
Blue Moon is a typical Belgian blanche. Hence the confusion - many fans of foamy drinks are still convinced that the drink is of European origin. But this is not so: Blue Moon beer is completely American. Despite this, producers do not forget about the origins - large letters belgian white on the label directly indicate the style of beer.
Blue Moon beer was first brewed back in 1995 at a brewery in Denver, Colorado. The masters went on an experiment - they took the classic Belgian blanche as a basis, but instead of the bitter orange of Curacao, they added the zest of the sweet Valencia variety. The beer was named Bellyslide Belgian White - and kept it until production was moved to Canada.
The legendary name Blue Moon was born exactly there, in Quebec. And in the same place - beer continues to be brewed both for the local and partially for the American market. The brewery in Denver is also still operating, and in 2016 it went through a major upgrade.
Taste and popularity
The main advantage of Blue Moon Belgian White beer is its unique taste. Bright and at the same time light, sweet, but not cloying, with a pronounced fruity-citrus character and a pleasant spice of coriander. By the way, brewers recommend serving it with an orange slice — this way you can feel the whole gamut of flavors.
To create a drink, in addition to the already mentioned citruses, brewers use white wheat, malted barley, oats and coriander. Because of the grains in Blue Moon, it’s definitely not worth trying for people with gluten allergies, but for everyone else, it can even benefit - the drink has potassium, protein and antioxidants. And all this is in addition to endorphins, which will definitely be developed after tasting.
According to public opinion polls, Blue Moon is almost the most favorite beer of Americans. In the states of Oregon and Maryland, it has no equal at all - the vast majority of residents confirmed that they prefer the original witbeer to any other variety.
Experts are also unanimous: Blue Moon consistently wins medals at world beer championships, and in 1995 it was recognized as the best in its category.
Blue Moon goes well with light snacks and fish and seafood dishes. You can try it almost everywhere - beer restaurants love this variety for its versatility, accessibility and loyal value. We love Blue Moon too — and we are happy to offer you to try the legendary American beer in the Lambic brasserie chain. Come - the Blue Moon is already calling!
Japanese beer Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager
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
Summer lambics: refresh yourself with a fruity beer from Belgium
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