The Style of Stout Beer: All About Ireland's Most Irish Beer
St. Patrick's Day, shamrocks, leprechauns, and dark stout beer are the first associations most people would make when asked about Ireland. Of course, today stouts are produced all over the world, but they are still considered a symbol of this northern country, and the Guinness Brewing Company, which invented the technology and introduced the name, is the benchmark of the trend. Do you want to know how it all began?
History
The first mention of stout - then still called porter - can be found in manuscripts from 1677. According to the descriptions, this inexpensive beer "hit the head well" and could be easily stored for a long time. However, it was not necessarily dark, the main thing being that it was strong.
Originally, the English adjective stout literally meant "courageous, proud and brave. At the beginning of the XIV century the meaning "strong" was added to this list of epithets and the Guinness Brewing Company drew attention to it when choosing a name for its product. The new drink was dubbed stout porter, i.e. strong porter, but with time the second part of the name became irrelevant, including the efforts of the brewers themselves. Arthur Guinness understood the value of the new term and promoted it with all his might in order to create a clear image of the product among consumers with just one word.
The main difference between stout and modern porter is the thick black color, which is achieved by the use of burnt malt in the production process. Stout is also characterized by a pronounced coffee aroma and a rich taste, which clearly shows notes of chocolate, cocoa and barley grains.
Interesting Facts
Perhaps the most unusual thing that can be said about stout is the legends about its alleged healing properties. In the nineteenth century, this misconception reached such proportions that doctors began prescribing stout for post-operative patients, blood donors, and even nursing mothers. Modern scientists have confirmed that beer has a refreshing effect and thanks to the high-temperature roasting process the malt contains a large amount of antioxidants, iron and flavonoids, which prolong youth and freshness of the skin, but it is still an exaggeration to say that its true curative properties are very strong.
Stout also has its own festival, which was established at the initiative of numerous fans of this style of beer. Every first Thursday of November admirers and producers from around the world gather together to taste new varieties, evaluate unusual flavor combinations and just enjoy their favorite beverage.
You can taste real Irish stout in the capital at one of the beer restaurants of the chain. We offer a variety of varieties from the best producers and a large menu of appetizers and main courses. Visit us!
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