Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Brews From Belgium
There are many categories of Belgian beers due to the diversity of the brewing history of this country
. Most of the fine beers in the world are believed to be brewed in Belgium with its 115 breweries and 500 beer types excluding the specialty beers.
Belgian beers are stronger than its European counterparts with alcohol content ranging from 5 to 8 percent. Another distinction of Belgian beers is its flavor. Belgian brewers do not follow a strict brewing process or adhere to any brewing purity laws resulting to the emergence of a hundreds of beer types each with unique taste, texture, color and aroma.
Beer is an essential part in Belgium's culture and they consider beer making the same as wine making. Belgian beers are bottled as delicately as wines complete with cork sealing and a crown cap. Below is the list of the general category of the various beers that are brewed in Belgium.
Pilsner
Belgian pilsners are inspired by original Czech pilsner and not German pilsner. Belgian beers are stronger than most of its European counterpart with alcohol content ranging from 5 to 8 percent. Belgian pilsners are lager beers which are crisp and refreshing.
Saisons
Saisons beers seasonal beers that are thick in flavor with a cloying character. Saisons are available only during summer months and can only be found in Wallonia. Saisons are enjoyable to drink although a bit rare.
Witbeirs
Witbeirs (Wheat beers) are cloudy beers with a surprisingly elegant taste that many Europeans find enjoyable to drink. Famous witbeirs are Vlaamsch Wi and Witterke and of course, Hoegaarden.
Lambic Beers
Lambics are unique beers that are considered to be the most refreshing among the Belgian beers. Lambics are perfect mixtures of stale hops and a wide variety of yeast and bacteria matured for 3 to 5 years. Unlike all other beers, lambics are sour and acidic. Famous lambics are Cantillon and Gueuze. For a not so sour version lambic beer you can try Mort Subite Geueze.
Trappist & Abbey Beers
Trappist & Abbey beers are perhaps the finest of all Belgian beers. Trappist & Abbey beers have complex and dark flavors and are really strong with an alcohol content of up to 9%. The high demand of trappist & abbey beers do not wane despite the fact that its brewers do not advertise their product. There are 6 trappist beer breweries in Belgium all supervised by trappist monks. Famous trappist & abbey beers are Chinay Ble, Westyleteren, Maredsous and Leffe Blonde.
Next time you are at the grocery store, see if you can pick up some Beglgian craft beers.