Myth or reality: can beer make you fat?
Everyone has heard at least once about the so-called «beer belly» — extra centimeters on the waist, which allegedly appear from drinking beer. The reputation of beer is spoiled by the fact that in many countries it is called «liquid bread» because of the cereals in its composition. Not surprisingly, many people believe that beer makes you fat, so it is better to completely eliminate it from your life in order not to get fat. Let’s see if this is true and how much beer can really affect the figure.
Just the facts
Modern nutritionists and fitness trainers in one voice say: a person can get fat only from excess calories. It does not matter what he eats — harmful or healthy food. If you regularly exceed calories, the weight will steadily grow.
This does not mean that you can massively switch to fast food. Useful and varied food is necessary to get from food necessary for health micro and macronutrients. That is, vitamins and minerals in the first case and proteins, fats, carbohydrates — in the second.
It turns out that by themselves conditionally «harmful» products, including alcohol, are not able to add extra centimeters in the waist.
Can beer make you fat?
In fact, beer is a low-calorie drink. Its energy value averages 40-45 calories per 100 grams. For comparison, 100 grams of freshly squeezed juice contains more than 50 calories.
As for carbohydrates — the most dangerous nutrients for the figure — they in beer, despite the «cereal» composition, also contains a little — about 3.5 grams. A 200-gram portion of pasta contains almost 50 grams of carbohydrates — that is, you need to drink several glasses of beer to get close to this amount.
The myth that beer makes people fat is most likely due to the fact that various fatty appetizers are usually ordered with beer. Onion and squid rings in batter, garlic croutons, fried wings — all these are really caloric food, and with excessive consumption it is very easy to exceed your daily norm. But if you drink beer without appetizers or order to it, for example, a salad, you can significantly reduce the calorie content of the meal.
For quality beer and tasty food — to the chain of Belgian brasseries Lambic! The menu of our beer restaurants includes hundreds of beers from all over the world, as well as a wide choice of dishes for every taste — both hearty and low-calorie. Come and taste!
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
Summer appetizers for Belgian beer: from seafood to desserts
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Belgian beer. But what to pair it with? When it’s hot outside, you want something light, fresh, yet rich. And that’s where seafood, cheeses, fruits and desserts come in, which perfectly complement the rich flavors of Belgian brews. Seafood In summer, chilled shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce are especially good — they set off the malty sweetness of pale ales and wheat beers. But other seafood can pair well with Belgian beers, too. Here are some ready-made tips: — Blanche de Bruxelles or Hoegaarden — whizbiers with citrus notes — can be served with mussels and low-fat sauces. — Saison Voisin, a farmhouse ale with a spicy hop bitterness, will accentuate the flavor of grilled oysters or calamari. Cheeses The Belgians know a lot about cheese, and their beers harmonize well with different varieties: — Sharp aged cheeses (such as gorgonzola) are a great pairing for a strong Tripel Karmeliet.— Delicate goat cheeses with honey go perfectly with fruity lambics like Lindemans Kriek. Fruit salads and berries In the heat of the day, it’s especially nice to snack on fresh fruit — it enhances the fruity notes in the drink itself: — Cherries, strawberries, peaches — a win-win for Kriek or Framboise.— A fruit salad with citrus and mint is a refreshing pairing for a blanche, such as Corsendonk Blanche. Desserts If you want to end the evening on a sweet note, give these a try: — Waffles with berries and whipped cream — duo with St. Bernardus Abt 12 or Chimay Blue.— Lemon tart — will emphasize the citrus tones of the vitbiers or lambics.— Chocolate desserts — the perfect accompaniment for Kasteel Rouge, Petrus Aged Red and Delirium RED, as well as all chocolate and coffee varieties. And remember: summer appetizers should be light and should accentuate, not overpower, the flavor of the beer. It is best to serve them chilled to keep the balance and enjoy every sip. Come to Lambic — in our beer restaurants you will find the best beer from all over the world and the perfect accompaniment to it. We look forward to seeing you!
21 June 2025