Why is Belgian beer cheaper than water?
Have you heard that in Belgium beer is cheaper than water? If you are wondering how that is possible, let me tell you, that during the era of the First Crusade, people considered water unsafe to drink in the region. As a result, the local abbeys and monasteries started to brew beers following traditional methods. Interestingly, at this period, everyone including children was allowed to drink beer with a lesser alcoholic proportion. For this reason, beer became cheaper than water. Over time, the beer culture in Belgium grew and flourished. After undergoing gradual evolution, it has now reached its current stage. With this in mind, allow me to expand your knowledge regarding everything you need to know about Belgian beer.
What makes Belgian-style beers so special?
Belgium is a beautiful country surrounded by vintage castles, churches, mansions and museums combining old charm and modern trends. To the world, the country is a gem for its delectable waffles, chocolates, French fries, and Belgian-style beers. Notably, UNESCO recognized Belgium’s beer production as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to Statista reports for 2021, there are 1500 Belgian beer types available in almost 400 breweries spread across the country. Moreover, the beer culture of Belgium significantly influences the social life of its people and inspires celebrations at many cocktail bars around the country. Want to try a wide range of Belgian beers? Visit Moodis, a premium cocktail bar in Kortrijk, Belgium.
On the surface, brewing perfect Belgian-style beer is pretty simple, the process requires grains, yeast, hops and water. Yet, there are several ways to combine these ingredients, and each way leads to a new variant that differs in terms of its colour and taste. If you’re seeking a wide variety of Belgian beers to unwind in the evening, check out Moodis in Kortrijk, where your every mood is celebrated. Now, let us explore some of the most popular Belgian beer types in the following section –
Lambic
To begin with, brewers in the Pajottenland region of Southwestern Brussels create lambic beer. Typically, alcohol volume in these types of beers ranges from 2% to 4%. What’s more, lambic beers offer both sweet and acidic tastes. If you prefer your beer a bit on a sweeter note, try Kriek Boon, it is one of the most popular lambic beers that comes in cherry flavour. For the best experience, pair Kriek Boon with chocolate-based desserts.
Trappist
Exclusively brewed by Trappist monks within Trappist monasteries, Trappist or Abbey beers are another favourite Belgian drink for the locals as well as tourists. The name comes from the town La Trappe in France where it was brewed for the first time in the year 1664. There are mostly 3 types of Trappist beers, namely, Dubbel, Tripel and Quadrupel. Among the most desired types of Trappist beers, in Belgium, you can try Orval, West Malle, Leffe and so much more. Check out the Trappist beer range at Moodis, a premium cocktail bar in Kortrijk, Belgium.
Blonde Ale or Abbey
Blonde beers having 6% to 8% ABV produced in Belgium are unique and strong. These types of Belgian liquors are easily recognised for their bright golden hues. There is a range of Abbey beers that also fall under the blonde beer category. For instance, Abbey beer like Leffe Blond is a patron’s favourite because of its spicy aroma and balanced flavours. Similarly, other popular blonde beers available in Belgium are Chimay, Omer, Cornet, Hoegaarden and Duvel.
Craft Beer
Belgium has many microbreweries or craft breweries where different taste profiles are explored and experimented. As a result, a diverse range of new beer types emerge. Compared to the commercial beer production process, craft beer production is proven to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. One such microbrewery is located in the Kortrijk area called Brewery Ruimtegist. Their products Nova, Obsquur and Vie are quite popular in the region.
Pilsner
A type of pale lager, pilsner goes through a “lagering” process where cold fermentation is applied to alter the flavours. This type of beer looks clean and tastes crisp. The hoppy bitterness is what gives pilsner beers unique characteristics. The most desired pilsner beers in Belgium are Jupiler and Stella Artois. Both beers have dominated the Belgian market for decades now. Therefore, these two pilsner could be referred to as the best Belgian beers in terms of popularity.
Specialised beer glassware
One of the most interesting factors that makes Belgian beer even more special, is that whenever you walk in a bar to get a beer, it always comes in specialised beer glassware. You can see that different styles of beer glasses have been used to decorate the bar counter. This indicates that each beer gets served in a dedicated glass containing the name of that particular beer or the brewery. Depending on the level of carbonation, alcohol, and serving temperature, breweries decide whether to use a tulip or goblet glass for serving.
Marketing is another reason why each Belgian-style beer gets served in a specific glassware. Just as beer advertisements are common on billboards in the US, Belgian breweries utilise specific glassware for similar purposes.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are multiple reasons why beer is considered the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Belgium. Each type of Belgian beer carries with it a unique flavour profile and brewing story that makes it desirable. Therefore, I highly recommend that you explore and try different variants to discover new tastes. Finally, let us know in the comments about your expedition to the Belgian beer world.
