It is famous far beyond the borders of the country. The choice is simply incredible, according to the latest data, more than 900 varieties. Drinks for every taste, and most of them have a history of 500 years. New developments, such as Blanche de Bruxelles, were created on the basis of old recipes kept in the deepest secrecy.
Story
The village of Kenast on the banks of the Seine (Brabant, French-speaking part of Belgium) from ancient times was famous not only for forests. In its vicinity were the largest deposits of porphyry in Europe. The crimson-colored rock was widely used for the manufacture of sculptures, luxury items, sarcophagi and other things.
The enterprising local resident Jules Lefebvre figured out how to make money from the mines. He owned several hotels, was engaged in forestry and farming, and most importantly, he was a hereditary brewer. Having built Lefebvre, he deployed an extensive network of inexpensive beer establishments - pubs. Things quickly picked up. 1876 was the founding year of the famous Lefebvre brewery. Today, the sixth generation of the family works on it.
In 1983, representatives of the female family were admitted to work in the company. This gave its result - the design of products has changed for the better, its range has expanded. In 1989, la Student white beer was introduced to consumers. The incredible popularity of the drink led to its renaming to Blanche de Bruxelles. Under this name it is known all over the world. The company is more focused on foreign consumers, 80% of the goods are exported.
Production
The production technology has been known to the Belgians since the eighteenth century. With the use of her secrets, the Blanche de Brussels variety was also created. . It belongs to the category of unfiltered, top fermentation. The brewing process itself is slow, it also includes the infusion procedure.
After double fermentation, the product is bottled, where it gradually ferments. This is achieved by repeated addition of sugar and yeast. This technology allows you to keep the unique taste of Blanche de Bruxelles for more than one year. On the label - the famous "Manneken Pis", a symbol of Brussels.
Beer is bottled in bottles of 0.33 and 0.75 liters and in kegs (15 and 30 liters). Small containers are closed with a regular crown cap (crown cap). The fermentation process creates serious pressure on the walls of the bottles. That is why the glass for 0.75-liter vessels is made of thickened glass.
Corks are also not simple - they are made of oak bark, fixed like champagne (they can be “shoot”) or with special clips. The Blanche de Bruxelles gift set with a glass is popular. Colorful packaging attracts attention. After emptying the bottles, an excellent container will remain. Stylish, tall, with a matte finish, the glass will remind you of the great taste of beer. The name will not be forgotten, because the logo of the variety is applied to the glass.
Description
Beer "Blanche de Brussels" has fans in many countries of the world. Drink Description:
The natural turbidity of the drink is given by the high content of wheat - 40%. The composition includes coriander, orange peels, barley, hops, sugar, yeast.
Peculiarities
De Bruxelles stands out among its counterparts in the line of light wheat drinks. Its ingredients are very curious:
The unique aroma of beer and its taste are widely used in cooking. The drink is part of sauces, white sauce for fish is especially popular.
Belgisch Bier Bière Belge Belgian Beer Belgian Beer
Bière Blanche White Beer Witbier Birra Normale White Beer
beer restaurant Burgomaster Burgermeister beer restaurant
Blanche de Brussels
Brewed By Brasserie Lefebvre Brewed at the Lefebvre Brewery
Product of Belgium Belgian Product
Belgian draft wheat unfiltered white beer Blanche de Bruxelles (Blanche de Brussels) has a wonderful refreshing sweet and sour taste with hints of citrus. To prepare this drink, masters from the Lefebvre family brewery (Brasserie Lefebvre), founded in 1876 by Jules Lefebvre and located in the Walloon part of Belgium, add coriander and bitter orange peels from oranges from the island of Curaçao during the brewing process. The island is located in the south of the Caribbean Sea near the coast of Venezuela. These ingredients fill the original aroma of beer with lightness and unobtrusive spice.
The beer is made from soft wheat and has natural, iridescent shades of light yellow, almost lemon color, turning into a dense, perfectly white foam. The taste of the drink is very soft and smooth, which, incidentally, is characteristic of many varieties of wheat beer. A modest 4.5% alcohol content and a complex aroma allow you to enjoy the drink for a long time.
And a little more about these mysterious oranges, whose history goes back to the distant past, during the discovery of the island and the initial stages of the development of its agriculture. They grow, as already mentioned, on the island of Curaçao, which is part of the Netherlands Antilles group. 
These fruits are called Laraha there. The first Spanish settlers, who discovered a huge number of Valencia orange trees on the island, planned to grow ordinary oranges, but due to poor environmental conditions, the initially sweet fruits grew small and bitter. The Spaniards abandoned their cultivation because of the bitter taste. Orange trees were abandoned until it was discovered by chance that the peel of the golden orange of Curaçao (Larahi), dried in the sun, contains essential oils with a surprisingly pleasant aroma and was immediately used in the form of spices. Most of the modern Larahi plantations are located in the eastern part of the island. Oranges growing on fairly tall trees (3 m) are picked while still green, because. Ripe fruits have very thin skins. These oranges gained the greatest popularity in the world thanks to the popular Curacao liqueur today - a real symbol of the island, with a unique flavor note.
Wherever you go while in Belgium, you will certainly find yourself in the country's capital Brussels - a city that is famous for its architecture and museums, well-preserved medieval center and vibrant nightlife. In addition, it is a highly international city, full of employees and business people - representatives of almost all European nations, as well as immigrants from Africa and the Mediterranean countries, who make up a quarter of the total population.
The name of the city comes from the word Broekzele, which means "village in the swamp", which was here in the 6th century on the way between Cologne and. The city flourished during the Habsburg era, eventually becoming the capital of the Spanish. In the 19th century it became the capital of a new and independent Belgium with all the attributes of a modern European capital. After the Second World War, the headquarters of NATO and the EU settled here, which gave a new impetus to the development of the city, including the construction of the metro.
Arrival, transport and accommodation in Brussels
There are three main stations in Brussels - Bruxelles-Nord, Bruxelles-Centrale, Bruxelles-Midi, located nearby, and almost all domestic trains stop at all three. Most international trains, including express trains from, and, stop only at the Bruxelles-Midi (Brussel-Zuid) station. Bruxelles-Centrale Central Station is a 5-minute walk from the Grand Place, Bruxelles-Nord Station is located in the business district just north of the main railway line, and Bruxelles-Midi is south of the city center.
To get from one station to another, you just need to take the next main line train. Eurolines buses come to the North Station (Gare du Nord). The airport is located in Zaventem, which is 13 kilometers northeast of the center, trains run regularly there from the stations (travel time - 30 minutes, 2.40 euros). There are two tourist offices in the center.
The main one is BIT at the Grand Place (Monday-Saturday, 9.00-18.00, May-September, Sunday 9.00-18.00, October-December, Sunday 10.00-14.00). The Belgian Tourist Information Center is nearby at rue du Marche aux Herbes 63 (Monday-Friday 9.00-18.00/19.00, Saturday and Sunday 9.00-13.00 and 14.00-18.00/19.00) and provides information on the rest of the area.
- Brussels public transport
The easiest way to get around the center of Brussels on foot, but to get to some attractions, you need to use public transport: buses, trams, underground tram (premetro) and metro. A single ticket costs €1.40, five tickets €6.30 and ten tickets €9.20. They can be purchased from bus and tram drivers, at metro kiosks and vending machines, as well as STIB information offices at Port de Namur, Midi, Rogier stations.
A daily card for unlimited travel for 24 hours costs 3.70 euros. There are heavy fines for traveling without a ticket. Transport operates from 6.00 to midnight, road maps are issued free of charge at travel agencies and STIB information kiosks. can be taken at city parking lots - especially in the Bourse district and on Place De Brouckere.
- Accommodation in Brussels
Brussels does not lack housing, but given the number of visitors, it can be difficult to find housing, especially in summer, so you need to do this in advance. There are several budget hotels in the Grand Place area, and it is also in the city center. The travel agency provides booking services, as does BTR (Belgium Tourist Reservation).
I). Brussels Hotels
1). Les Bluets Hotel“A charming family hotel with ten rooms in a beautiful house with a terrace one block south of a small square. Impeccable fin-de-siecle decoration. Advance booking is recommended. Metro station Hotel des Monnaies. Location: rue Berckmans 124, Saint Gilles;
2). George V Hotel- A dilapidated hotel with a peculiar atmosphere next to residential areas. Simple modern rooms that are cleanly maintained. Location: rue Kint 23;
3). Mirabeau Hotel“Hospitable hotel with thirty good modern rooms. It is located in a pleasant seven-storey building of the beginning of the 20th century on a busy square near the Anspach boulevard. Location: place Fontainas 18;
4). Residence Rembrandt“Good popular guesthouse with thirteen clean and comfortable rooms. Located on a quiet street next to avenue Louise, near place Stephanie. Trams 93 and 94. Location: rue de la Concorde 42, Ixelles;
5). Sabina Hotel“Twenty-four rooms in a late 19th-century house. Located in a pretty residential area where the bourgeoisie of the Victorian era liked to settle. Madou subway station. Location: rue du Nord 78;
6). Saint-Michel Hotel– One of the most characteristic hotels in the city and the only one on Grand Place, it occupies an old guild house on the east side of the square, but the facade does not quite fit with the interior. There are both simple and small rooms in the rear of the building, as well as more expensive rooms. Your light sleep can be disturbed by revelers from the Grand Place. Location: Grand-Place 15;
7). Hotel La Tasse d'Argent– Popular family hotel with eight rooms in a nice fin-de-siecle mansion 5 minutes walk north of the cathedral. Madou subway station. Location: rue du Congres 48.
II). Hostels in Brussels
1). Hostel Bruegel– HI youth hostel in a modern building, 135 beds. In the city center, breakfast included. Bedrooms for six and twelve people, there are also double and quadruple rooms. Closes at 1.00. Gare Central metro station. 13 euros. Double rooms. Location: rue du Saint-Esprit 2;
2). Chab Hostel– A spacious youth hostel with a good reputation. All rooms have shared bathrooms. Doesn't close. Breakfast is included in the price of accommodation. The price of linen is 3.50 euros. One, two and four-bed bedrooms. Botanique metro station. 14 euros. Double rooms. Location: rue Traversiere 8;
3). Jacques Brel Hostel– Modern and comfortable HI youth hostel. There is a shower in every room, a bar, a restaurant and a lounge. Bedrooms from two to twelve beds. Madou or Botanique metro station. 13 euros. Location: rue de la Sablonniere 30;
4). New Sleep Well Hostel– Clean and spacious hotel in a recently renovated building, 5 minutes walk from Place Rogier. Good conditions, a bar, there are opportunities for the reception of disabled tourists. The price of linen is 3.50 euros. Reservation required. One, two, three and four-bed bedrooms. Rogier metro station. 13 euros. Double rooms. Location: rue du Damier 23.
Sights of Brussels (Belgium)
The center of Brussels is surrounded by a pentagon of boulevards (the so-called small ring) on the site of the medieval city walls. The central part is divided into the Upper and Lower City, in the Upper City live the representatives of the upper class, who look contemptuously at the workers living below.
- Lower City of Brussels
You need to start your hike through the Lower City from the Grand Place, which has been the city's shopping center since the Middle Ages. Dominating the square is the tower of the town hall Hotel de Ville (in English: April-September, Tuesday and Wednesday, 15.15, Sunday, 12.15; October-March, only 15.15, 2.50 euros), inside you can see the official premises . Particularly impressive is the council chamber (19th century), decorated with gilded stucco, tapestries and an oak floor with ebony inlay. But the square is famous for the guild houses of the early 18th century, whose graceful facades are richly decorated with carved ornaments and sculptures.
On the west side of the square, house 1 once housed the bakers' guild, the name Roi d'Espagne comes from the bust of Charles II, the last representative of the Spanish Habsburgs. On the sides are the Moors and Indians, which symbolize the power of the empire. House 4 Maison du Sac housed the guild of carpenters and coopers. The master cabinetmaker decorated the upper floors with pilasters and caryatids, which have a stylistic resemblance to baroque furniture. In the nearby Maison de la Louve, there was an influential guild of archers, on the facade - pilasters of the allegory of Peace and Strife.
House 6 Maison du Cornet sheltered the guild of boatmen. The upper floors of this 1697 house resemble the stern of a ship. Adjoining it, the Maison du Renard was occupied by a haberdashers' guild, putti play on the bas-relief of the ground floor with their products, and a thin gilded fox (after which the house is named) is placed above the door. Most of the square is occupied by the squat Neo-Gothic Maison du Roi (House of the King), a reconstructed building of the 16th century, which now houses the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles (Tuesday-Friday, 10.00-17.00, Saturday and Sunday, 10.00-17.00- 13.00, 2.50 euros). Here you can see locally made tapestries, ceramics, porcelain and pewter.
- The area south of the Marolles quarter
From the Grand Place Rue de l'Etuve leads to the Manneken Pis monument, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Brussels. This statue was cast in the 1600s by Jérôme Duquesnoy, it was stolen several times, and now there is a copy of it. From here it is not far to place de la Vieille-Halle aux Bles and the Fondation Internationale Jacques Brel (Tuesday-Saturday, 11.00-18.00, July-August, also on Sunday 11.00-18.00, 5 euros), this is a small interesting museum dedicated to the life and work of the Belgian chansonnier J. Brel (1933-1978), who became famous in the 1960s. To the south is the Imperial Boulevard (boulevard de l`Empereur), which is loaded with traffic and spoils this part of the city.
Here you can see the old stone tower La Tour Anneessens, left from the medieval city walls, and to the south - the recently restored Notre Dame de la Chapelle Cathedral (June-September, Monday-Saturday, 9.00-17.00 and Sunday 11.30-16.30; October-May, daily, 12.30-16.30, admission is free) - a massive building in the Gothic style, begun in 1134, this is the oldest church in the city. To the south of the cathedral, two streets - rue Haute and rue Blaes - form the Quartier Marolles quarter with cheap restaurants, shops and bars, which originated in the 17th century and was traditionally a working quarter. Now this place has been somewhat ennobled, and the center of the Place du Jeu de Balle quarter is especially lively on Sundays, when the best market in the city is open (daily from 7.00).
- Upper city of Brussels
The steep slope from which the Upper Town begins is a couple of minutes walk from the Grand Place on the east side of rue d'Arenberg. Here is the Cathedral (daily, 8.00-18.00, admission free), a magnificent building in the Brabant Gothic style, begun in 1220, with a spectacular facade with two towers. The interior space is divided into three naves by smooth, heavy columns; there is a massive oak pulpit with Adam and Eve. Notice the 16th-century stained glass windows in the transept and above the main entrance. A 5-minute walk from the cathedral on the slopes of the Upper Town is the so-called Mount of Arts (Mont des Arts) - a complex of buildings of strict geometric outlines, which are occupied by various government institutions and organizations related to art.
A wide staircase leads to the Royal Square (place Royale) and Royal Street (rue Royale). Up the stairs to the left is the Old England building, one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau in the city. Now it houses the Museum of Musical Instruments (Musee des Instruments de Musique), rue Montagne de la Cour 2 (Tuesday-Friday, 9.30-17.00, Thursday until 20.00, Saturday and Sunday 10.00-17.00, 5 euros), where about 1500 instruments are stored and there are exhibitions. Here on the corner is the Royal Palace (Palais Royal) (end of July - September, Tuesday-Sunday, 10.30-16.30, admission is free), which can be somewhat disappointing. These are gloomy buildings of the XVIII century, which serve as the official residence of the Belgian monarchs.
Nearby on Rue Regence in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Musse Royaux des Beaux Arts) (Tuesday-Sunday, 10.00-17.00, general ticket price 5 euros) two collections: 20th century art and old art with magnificent works by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Rubens and the surrealists Paul Delvaux and Rene Magritte. The large exposition is easy to navigate thanks to the color markings. In the blue zone of the Museum of Old Art, paintings of the 15th-16th centuries, including paintings by Lucas Cranach, Quentin Masseys, Rogier van der Weyden and Pieter Brueghel the Elder (“The Fall of Icarus”), In the brown zone, works of the 17th-18th centuries are collected: paintings by Rubens and his contemporaries Jacob Jordaens and Anthony van Dyck.
The Yellow Zone in the Museum of Art of the 20th Century begins with the realistic works of Charles de Groux and C. Meunier, then you can see neoclassical paintings and, in particular, the works of J. L. David (his famous painting “The Death of Marat” is shown here). Next is the work of the Symbolists, including the work of Fernand Khnopf, and a separate section - the grotesque canvases of James Ensor. In the green zone, there is an extremely diverse range of contemporary works and sculptures on six underground tiers. Fauvists, Cubists, Futurists, Expressionists and, among other things, Surrealists are represented here, including the whimsical erotic creations of Paul Delvaux and a small exposition of Magritte.
A short distance to the south is the Place Petit Sablon with 48 statues representing the guilds and a fountain in honor of the Counts of Egmont and Horn, who fought against Spanish rule and were beheaded on the Grand Place in 1500. On the opposite side of Regence Street rises the Church of Notre Dame du Sablon (XV century), where there is a statue of Our Lady, brought by water from. In honor of this event, a religious procession (Ommegang procession) is performed in July. The Grand Sablon square behind the cathedral is the center of one of the city's most prosperous areas and hosts an antiques market on weekends.
- Area outside the small ring: EU and Victor Horta
Brussels does not end behind the small ring. The Leopold quarter, east of the Ring Road, is lined with huge glass and concrete high-rise buildings designed for EU institutions, such as Berlaymont with its branches at the Schuman metro station. The latest addition to this sprawling complex was the EU Parliament building (free tours, usually Monday-Thursday, 10:00 and 15:00, Fri at 10:00), an imposing structure with a curved glass roof. From here, a couple of minutes walk to Place Luxembourg behind Quartier Leopold station. All of the above attractions can be seen during.
Food and drink in Brussels
Worldwide, Brussels is famous for its cuisine, even in a seedy diner, the food is always well cooked and generously seasoned, and many of the city's restaurants can be compared to those in Paris. Traditional Brussels dishes are a mixture of Walloon and Flemish cuisine. In addition, the city is famous for various national restaurants - from Turkish in the Saint Josse area to Spanish, Vietnamese and Japanese. Here you can also try excellent fish and seafood, especially in the fashionable area of Saint Catherine.
Food in these establishments is rarely cheap. It's hard to tell less expensive restaurants from street cafes (which may have the best food in town) and bars. As for fast food, there are many such establishments in the Grand Place area. You can have a drink in a bar or cafe, these are luxurious Art Nouveau cafes, specialized beer bars with hundreds of beers, and, of course, more modern places. Many bars in the center are frequented by tourists and foreigners, but establishments near the Grand Place retain their characteristic style. Bars are open until late - mostly until 2-3 am, and even until dawn.
- Cafes and restaurants in Brussels
1). Cafe Bij den Boer“A nice old cafe with a bar, with tiled floors and pictures on the walls. Great place to have a drink and a bite, but the service will be slow. Delicious seafood and reasonable prices. Closed on Sundays. Location: quai aux Briques 60;
2). Iberica Restaurant– A pleasant Spanish restaurant offering all the classic dishes. Snacks (tapas) for 6 euros. Closed on Wednesdays. Location: rue de Flandre 8;
3). Cafe Le Falstaff– The Art Nouveau cafe near Bourse attracts tourists, gays and Brussels bourgeois. It retains its own characteristic atmosphere, and in the evenings there are so many people that sometimes you can not find a place. Numerous sweets and inexpensive beer and sandwiches are also offered. Location: rue Henri Maus 17-23;
4). Kasbah Restaurant– The Moroccan restaurant is popular with young people, famous for large portions of couscous and other North African dishes. Lively and trendy place. Location: rue Antoine Dansaert 20;
5). Restaurant La Maree– A wonderful little restaurant, not to be confused with the establishment of the same name on rue au Beurre. Specializes in seafood, always fresh and simply prepared. Modest but cozy interior. Closed on Sunday and Monday evenings. Location: rue du Flandre 99;
6). Restaurant La Raraue Verte– First-class Vietnamese restaurant with moderate prices. Good selection of vegetarian options. Beautiful interior. Location: rue Antoine Dansaert 53;
7). Restaurant Le Pre Sale– A welcoming old-fashioned restaurant is a good alternative to more luxurious establishments. Great mussels, fish and other Belgian food. Closed on Mondays. Location: rue de Flandre 16;
8). Totem Restaurant– Hospitable trendy restaurant in a side street near the Anspach boulevard is famous for its vegetarian dishes, natural soups, fresh salads, excellent sweets and cakes. A good selection of natural wines, local dishes are also offered. Closed on Mondays, no credit cards accepted. Location: rue de la Grande Ile 42.
- Brussels bars
1). Bar A la Becasse“An old-fashioned bar with long wooden benches, antique blue and white tiles on the walls, serving beer in earthenware mugs. Location: rue de Tabora 11;
2). Bar Au Bon Vieux Temps“A cozy old place down the alley. The tables are inlaid with tiles, there is a beautiful 17th century fireplace. This establishment was popular with the British after the Second World War, and advertisements for old Mackenzie port and Bass light ale still hang here. Great place to have a drink in a relaxed environment. Location: rue du Marche aux Herbes 12;
3). Bar La Fleur en Papier Dore– A noisy and cozy bar with various poems and drawings hanging on the walls. Once it was one of R. Magritte's favorite places. Location: rue des Alexiens 53;
4). Bar Le Greenwich– A traditional chess bar with mirrors and beautiful wood panelling. Soothing atmosphere. Location: rue des Chartreux 7;
5). Bar A Imaige de Nostre-Dame“A welcoming little bar at the end of a long narrow alley furnished like an old Dutch kitchen. Good selection of different beers. Location: rue du Marche aux Herbes 6;
6). Bar A la Mort Subite- A 1920s bar famous for its bottled beer. A long, smoky room with mirrors on the walls. Bohemian audience and lively atmosphere. Snacks are served. Location: rue Montagne aux Herbes Potageres 7;
7). Bar Au Soleil– A popular bar with a large selection of beers is full of young people until late at night. Location: rue Marche au Charbon 86;
8). Toone Bar- A bar at the puppet theater of the same name. Two small halls with old posters on roughly plastered walls, beer at reasonable prices, a modest assortment of snacks, classical music and jazz. This is one of the best places to stay in the city. Location: Impasse Schuddeveld 6, Petite rue des Bouchers.
Blanche de Brucelle is quite a popular beer and, for example, in Moscow it can be found in almost any supermarket.
This Belgian white beer is double fermented and unfiltered. Brewery "Brasserie Lefebvre" - a family brewery in the French-speaking part of Brabant (Belgium) founded in 1876 by Jules Lefebvre. He was a farmer, innkeeper and brewer. An ancient beer that was famous for the farmers of old Brabant, who brewed it in their home breweries.
Fortress 4.5%. The price for a bottle of 0.5 liters is from 150 rubles.
This gift set includes 2 bottles of 0.33 liters and 1 signature glass.
Interestingly, on the set and label the name is indicated not beer, but beer drink. This is due to the ingredients of beer, in addition to the main ones used, coriander and orange peels are added to the composition. So beer turns into a beer drink)
Due to the high content (40%) of wheat, the beer has a natural haze. As I said, coriander and orange peel are added to the beer to give a special flavor during the brewing process. The brewing process itself, which includes a long infusion, proceeds very slowly. Fermentation of beer takes place directly in the bottles.
The logo of this brand is the world-famous mascot of Brussels - Manneken Pis, which is a fountain in the form of a "Manneken Pis".
Interesting facts about the beer "Blanche de Bruxelles":
1. The Lefebvre family brewery was founded by Jules Lefebvre in 1876 and is located in the center of Cuenast (Brabant region of Wallonia, French-speaking part of Belgium).
2. During the preparation of this beer, coriander and orange peels are added. They give the beer an original aroma and a mature taste, with a hint of orange.
3. 1980 becomes the year of overcoming new frontiers. For the first time, Lefebre's products left the territory of Belgium and are successfully beginning to be exported to other countries.
4. In 1983, Floreff Abbey granted Lefebvre its license to produce a range of special beers, the secret of which is still a closely guarded secret.
5. 1989 was the birth year of one of Lefebwehr's most popular brewery brands today. This white beer is la Student, later called: Blanche de Bruxelles.
6. With five generations of experience in the production of beer and modern technological equipment, the Lefebvre brewery exports 80% of its products.
7. Exported by regular 0.33L bottles; 0.75 liter bottles with ceramic lid. As well as kegs of 15 and 30 liters.
8. Fermentation "Blanche de Bruxelles" takes place already in the bottle.
Beer "Blanche de Brussels" came to us from Belgium. This unfiltered light wheat beer has an original taste and a refreshing citrus aroma.
Beer Blanche de Brussels
- Butterbeer - the fairy-tale world of Hogwarts in one glass
- How to make dark beer
- Foamy wheat beer: production and usage rules
Belgium is the country of beer. Wheat varieties have been produced there since the Middle Ages. Rather, at first it was ale. Germany is considered its homeland. Varieties made from a mixture of wheat and barley have even received the special name "weissbier". Due to the wheat malt, the beer was opaque.
Belgian white ales have a long history, albeit interrupted by almost 30 years. By 1950, they had practically ceased to be brewed, but subsequently production resumed. Despite the break, the traditions of Belgian brewers have been preserved.
2 Modern brewing
In Belgium, the traditions of church brewing are still preserved. This is explained by the fact that, despite all the revolutionary upheavals of recent times, beer is still brewed in many abbeys. Not without church beer and the Lefebvre brewery. In 1983, she received a license from Floreff Abbey to brew several beers, the brewing recipes of which are kept in the strictest confidence.
Brewery Lefebvre
In the manufacture of wheat beer, light malt and wheat are used, and during brewing, bitter orange zest and coriander are added to the drink. Cumin and cinnamon are also added to some varieties, other fragrant herbs may be present. Beer "Blanche de Bruxelles" comes out cloudy and very light, with a large amount of foam. Its originality lies in its delicate aroma, combining spices with the sweet smell of citrus fruits. It is customary to drink it from glasses tapering upwards, having previously cooled to 60 ° C.
3 Beer Festival
Beer is taken very seriously in Belgium. Since 1998, Brussels has hosted the Belgian Beer Weekend in early September. It is held at the Grand Place, the central square of Brussels. The festival is organized by the city administration, the Confederation of Belgian Brewers and the order of chivalry, uniting honorary brewers.
The festival starts in the middle of the day on Friday. The first part of the holiday is closed. First, professional brewers who have gathered for the festival must attend Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula. The patron saint of all brewers, Saint Arnold, is commemorated at Mass. Then the celebration moves to the Brussels City Hall. Celebrations on the square start later, but still behind closed doors.
Beer at the Belgian Beer Festival
By noon, everyone is allowed to enter the festival. At this time, a tent camp opens on the central square, which is set up by brewers who arrived for the weekend. You can get to the festival for free, but you have to pay for beer. It is interesting that they pay for beer not with money, but with bottle caps. They are bought right there, standing in a decent queue.
The festival is not complete without a parade of brewers. This colorful spectacle takes place on Saturday morning. Until lunch, elegant carts, wagons and trucks delight the audience with their unusual appearance.
At the festival, you can try up to 400 varieties of beer, among which the varieties produced by the Lefebvre brewery, the same one that produces Blanche de Brussels, take pride of place.
There are other beer festivals in Belgium, for example, the February festival in Bruges, and also the Christmas beer festival in Essen. The national beer festival Oktoberfesten takes place in October in Leuven. And they also cannot do without the famous and popular "Blanche de Brussels". And in Brussels there is a beer museum owned by the Brewers Guild. There you can try a lot of foam exhibits.
Although "Blanche de Bruxelles" or "Bruxelles", if the word is accurately conveyed in Russian letters, appeared only in 1989, this unusual beer has become a symbol of Belgium. There is no such Belgian brasserie where Blanche de Bruxelles would not be served. And the Manneken Pis, depicted on the label, only emphasizes the inseparable connection of this beer with Belgian culture.
True, today most of the production of the Brabant brewery Lefebvre is exported. For the first time the famous drink left Belgium in the 80s of the last century, and since then its popularity around the world has only been growing.
Beer is produced in bottles of 0.33 liters, 0.75 liters and in large kegs of 15 and 30 liters. Bottles of 0.75 liters are closed in the same way as sparkling wines. This must be done because the final fermentation of beer takes place already in a corked bottle and the cork can be knocked out by gas pressure. The Lefebvre brewery also produces the famous Blanche de Namur.
4 Beer drinking culture in Belgium
Belgium is rightfully famous for its beer. More than 600 varieties are produced in the country, while the traditions of brewing have been preserved for 400 years.
Belgian varieties are quite dense and strong, in addition, rice, sugar, fruits and honey are often added to local beer. They drink beer, and also use it in the preparation of local cuisine.
Variety of Belgian beers
Once upon a time, even the smallest Belgian town had its own brewery. There were as many of them as there were temples. And each brewery brewed beer according to special recipes, carefully preserving the secrets of the production of their varieties. And even now, only a few brands of Belgian beer can be bought in other countries, and to try the rest, you have to go to Belgium.
The Belgians drink 100 liters of beer per person per year and treat this drink with great respect.
Bottles are often corked with corks made from real cork, and when purchased, the bottle is wrapped in fancy wrapping paper. Yes, and the process of drinking has its own traditions: in no case should you drink an odd number of glasses.
Each type of beer is supposed to be drunk from a certain glassware. Beer glasses can be pot-bellied with long legs, and tall with a thick bottom, and even those that cannot be put on the table, but only on a special stand. Some varieties are drunk exclusively from wooden mugs. There are also special knives for cutting foam. Needless to say, the appetizer for each type of beer is served differently.
5 Blanche de Brussels
Light slightly watery beer "Blanche de Bruxelles" with a slight acidity is completely devoid of bitterness, alcohol is also not felt. Thanks to its very fresh taste and aroma, it is pleasant to drink on a hot summer day.
Snack "Blanche de Brussels" is good with traditional cheese, as well as poultry meat, especially duck.
Beer in Belgium is often used in cooking. It is stewed and boiled, and is also used to prepare dressings and sauces. Stewed beef tails and ears, a traditional Belgian dish, is served in a beer-based sauce with celery and garlic.
Bottled beer Blanche de Brussels
Beer is a very popular drink, but you should not get carried away with it. Recently, doctors began to assure us that the beer belly is a myth, and it's all about the appetite that any alcohol causes. However, everyone knows that peoples who drink mainly natural grape wine cannot boast of beer bellies. It is beer that causes the formation of fatty deposits around the abdomen. But besides the "beer" belly, there is also a "beer" heart. Forced to pump excess fluid, the heart becomes larger.
In addition, a certain danger is fraught with hops used to make beer. It contains phytoestrogen, a hormone closely related to the human female hormone estrogen. Thanks to him, the production of the male sex hormone in the male body decreases, the figure acquires feminine features.
Beer, like moonshine, contains by-products of alcoholic fermentation. This means that fusel oils, esters, methanol, aldehydes and other poisons are present in beer in such quantities that you will not find in vodka of the highest purity.
Low-alcohol unfiltered beer "Blanche de Brussels" perfectly quenches thirst and improves mood. Due to the high carbonation, this beer forms a high stable creamy foam. The hat is formed even if you pour it very carefully. Sip it and you will feel an unobtrusive spicy aftertaste.
One of the best Belgian witbiers can compete on equal terms with German varieties.
