Trappist beer: a legend to be tasted
Every style of Belgian beer has its own twist, but there is a trend worth talking about separately. And it's not even the fact that it was invented by monks - other beers can also boast such a biography - it is the only beverage whose production is still controlled by ancient abbeys. Meet Trappist beer!
History of Creation
The Trappists were descended from disillusioned Cistercians: in 1098 the monks of the Benedictine abbey at Molem, dissatisfied with the order in the community, founded their own monastery. At first, everything went smoothly - the charter based on the precepts of St. Benedict was observed, the monks worked hard and maintained strict ascesis. But over time, discipline in the monasteries began to lag, and the situation might have become critical had it not been for the Abbey of La Trampe, which introduced a series of serious reforms. Thus came the Order of Cistercians of strict observance, whose members were called Trappists.
The Trappist monks did not start brewing beer by chance - the quality of water in those days left much to be desired, so the weak alcohol, purified from harmful bacteria during fermentation, was used as the main beverage. Trappists were famous for their hospitality and mercy. The production grew, the technology of brewing beer improved and finally the monks found their unique recipe. They used special yeasts to make the drink and left it to ferment in bottles. Some abbeys additionally added sugar to increase the strength of the beverage.
But Belgian monk beer only really took off at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the sale of hard liquor was prohibited in drinking establishments. In order to maintain their brand, bar owners began to buy beers that could replace liqueurs. The strength of Trappist beer was unmatched, and the drink immediately gained wide popularity.
Eventually it played a cruel joke on the monks - the brand got a lot of imitators. But in the end, justice prevailed - the court, to which the Trappists appealed, ruled in their favor.
Unique taste
Today only 13 certified breweries make "monastic" beer. All of them are attached to abbeys, and the producers are obliged to fulfill a number of conditions, for example, to send part of the profits to the monastery and charity.
The distinctive features of the Belgian monastic beer are a special thick taste, buttery-fruity aroma and high strength, which can be felt even physically after just a few sips. It is also of a consistently high quality, which is still guaranteed today by the strict control of production.
To taste a real Trappist beer, it is important to choose the right beer restaurant where you know firsthand what tradition is all about. The Lambic Brasserie chain is just such a place: we offer the best Belgian beer and know how to serve it properly. Come on!
Jeju Beer Company: legendary craft from South Korea
When talking about good beer, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and other European countries are most often mentioned. And the reason for this is not that other parts of the globe do not make high-quality foam, it is simply that many varieties simply do not reach Russia. It is about such a case — the famous South Korean beer of Jeju Beer Company — that we will talk today. History of the brewery Jeju Beer Company was founded in 2015 on the largest Korean island of Jeju. The company, whose main mission is to create a new beer culture in the country, became the first global craft brewery in Korea, and in a short period of time — also the most popular. According to analytics, one bottle of Jeju Beer is purchased every three seconds in the country. In 2017, the company introduced a series of new wheat beers, including the already sensational Jeju Wit Ale, Jeju Pellong Ale and Jeju Slice. The highlight of these brews is the composition: the unique flavor of the beer is given by the rind of gamgyul, a citrus plant native to Jeju. Now Jeju Beer Company’s beer is exported to Taiwan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and other countries of the world. The global distribution network of the Korean brewery is ensured by partnership with Brooklyn Brewery. Jeju Beer Company is a winner of many festivals, in particular, the winner of silver medals of Australian International Beer Awards and Korea Liquor Awards 2019 in the category of craft beer. Best brews One of the most popular brews is Jeju Wit Ale. It is a luxurious wheat beer with the addition of the aforementioned Jeju Island citrus and coriander. The drink has a delicate floral aroma and a pleasant taste dominated by citrus notes. The beer recipe was developed in collaboration with Garrett Oliver, brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery and winner of the James Beard Award, which is called the «Oscars» for chefs in the beer industry. Special attention should be paid to Jeju Pellong Ale. This is an American Pale Ale style beer with a citrusy aroma dominated by tones of apricot. The flavor has the sweetness of the tropics. The aftertaste is dry, with a pleasant citrus bitterness. There is also Jeju Geomeong Ale, a dark beer made with local black barley and chocolate malt. The drink has a rich flavor that reveals tones of coffee and dark chocolate. The same notes, as well as malt sweetness, can be felt in the taste of the drink. You don’t have to go to South Korea to try Jeju Beer Company beer. Come to Lambic! Our beer restaurants have hundreds of high quality beers from all over the world. We also have delicious food, excellent service and always cozy atmosphere. We are waiting for you!
23 January 2025
Belgian waffles: history of origin and interesting facts
If you ask anyone what Belgium is associated with, most people will name three things — a sculpture of a boy in Brussels, beer and, of course, waffles. Flavorful, airy and crispy, they have long ceased to be just a dish on restaurant menus and have become a real culinary landmark of the country. Back in the past Surprisingly, the history of the most famous waffles originates not in Belgium, but in the United States. During the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, Belgian pastry chef Walter Clement introduced his unique dish to the Americans. The waffles, served with strawberries and whipped cream, were so well liked by the local population that they soon spread throughout America. It is said that in the first four months after the «premiere» more than half a million waffles were sold in the United States. It is believed that the name «Belgian» was established because not all Americans knew where Brussels was located. In their homeland, Belgium, the famous waffles are called only Brussels waffles. Did you know that... Brussels waffles are made from yeast dough in cast iron waffle makers, which makes them soft on the outside and crispy on the inside. Some pastry chefs add a secret ingredient to it, but what it is they don’t reveal. There is speculation that it could be one of the beers, but there is no proof for this theory. Brussels waffles are often confused with Liege waffles, which are also made in Belgium, in the city of Liege. But these are different dishes: Liege waffles are drier, more like buns, and their dough contains bits of caramelized sugar. Classic Belgian waffles are sweet, served with coffee or tea. But there are also unsweetened waffles with different fillings. Where to try Of course, it is better to taste any national dish at home, but if you can’t go to Belgium yet — come to Lambic! Our Belgian beer restaurants have everything to feel the real taste of this wonderful country: dozens of varieties of beer, national cuisine and cozy atmosphere. And for Belgian waffles we have allocated a whole section with sweet classics with strawberries and ice cream, and unsweetened potato positions with fish, meat and other fillings. Come — it will be delicious!
23 January 2025