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!
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