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National flavor: how beer is drunk in different countries

National flavor: how beer is drunk in different countries

Any Russian knows that vodka should be drunk cold and necessarily snacked on with kippers, pickled mushrooms or, for example, sauerkraut. Beer is the same story: there are certain rituals for drinking this drink. And each country has its own rituals. We offer to study the most interesting ones, so that you can check everything in practice while traveling. Germany In Germany — one of the most «beer-swilling» countries in the world — to order a beer in a pub, you don’t even have to talk to the waiter. It is enough to make eye contact with him and show him on your fingers how many glasses you want. This method is especially common at large beer festivals like Oktoberfest. Germans also have some interesting stories to tell about beer. For example, it was in Germany in the XIV century that the famous glasses with lids were invented to protect the drink from the bubonic plague. And until the eighties of the last century they observed the so-called «law of purity», according to which beer should consist of only four ingredients — water, malt, hops and yeast. Belgium In Belgium, beer is almost never appetizer, but can, on the contrary, wash down food with it. However, it is bad form to drink beer straight from the bottle: brewers take care that their beverage can reveal its flavor to the maximum, so there are special glasses for each type. Tourists joke that Belgians have beer running through their veins instead of blood, and by and large they are not wrong — until the 1980s, beer was even poured in schools instead of Pepsi. However, it was of very low strength (up to 2.5%). Czech Republic In the Czech Republic the culture of beer drinking is quite strict, and all unwritten rules are strictly adhered to by beer lovers. For example, a man should be the first to enter the beer hall, only the first glass should be touched, and beer should not be poured from one container to another. If you decide to stop, you should put a bierdekel, i.e. a beer stand, on the glass. Otherwise, the waiter will pour the drink over and over again. Sweden In this Scandinavian country beer can even become a medicine — it is often prescribed as a mild antidepressant. And to drink beer, or rather to make toasts, clinking glasses with beer, it is necessary to look into each other’s eyes — this is a long-standing tradition. Japan In the Land of the Rising Sun, rituals are honored, and beer rituals are also found. For example, if you come to a beer restaurant in a large company — you need to appoint a person who will pour all the foam. And in Japan there is also an unusual way of cooling beer. Pre-frozen beer foam from a special machine is added to glasses. Italy There is such a phenomenon as «beer pilgrimage» here. There are special establishments with «holes in the walls» where you can quickly get your pint of beer and leave. Locals advise to approach such «holes» at least four times a day. Or at least before dinner to work up an appetite. And to find out how beer is drunk in Russia, come to Lambic. We will show you, advise you on the best varieties and give you lots of bright emotions!

24 March 2025

Top beer trends. What's in store for beer drinkers in 2025?

Top beer trends. What's in store for beer drinkers in 2025?

The world changes every day, and so do people’s tastes. Twenty years ago, beer restaurants in Russia could be counted on one’s fingers, and the number of labels on store shelves was dozens at best. Today, the picture is quite different: diversity reigns everywhere, and the public is becoming more and more discerning. Does this mean that new beer trends will appear in the near future or not? Let’s find out. Restopubs instead of beer halls Many establishments that yesterday offered only beer and appetizers are changing their format. Interest in gastronomy is growing in Russia, food is becoming a real cult, so many modern restaurants are trying to keep up with the times. And where previously you could order only toast and wings, today there is a full menu from the chef. The way of drinking beer is also changing. More and more often, beer restaurants offer so-called gastronomic pairings — a type of beer and a dish that goes perfectly with it. Still Craft According to experts, the beer revolution will not happen in our country in the near future. There will be changes, but gradual. For example, it is expected that over time the share of craft consumption will grow. Now this segment accounts for an average of 2% of the total volume, but in the US this figure is dozens of times higher. It is not certain that Russia will be able to catch up and overtake America, but they will definitely start drinking more kraft. Mostly favoring those producers who produce a really interesting and high-quality product. In addition, there is now a growing interest in IPA on the American market, and it is not excluded that it will soon come to us as well. There are already many fruity varieties of IPA in US stores, for example, with melon or mango flavors. Experts believe that such varieties may become popular in our country. But interest in sour ales, on the contrary, is beginning to subside. Inspired by their growing popularity, producers have brewed a lot of sour varieties, but the wow effect has not happened. According to experts, today sour ales are drunk more often for the sake of experimentation, and for regular use, they still choose the classics. By the way, you can try all of the above and even more in Lambic beer restaurants. Come — we will make you delicious!

24 March 2025

Japanese beer Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager

Japanese beer Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager

It is tacitly believed that the best beer is brewed in Europe — Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, there are other countries which produce high-quality foam, it is just that it is not so popular in Russia. For example, Japan. Connoisseurs will confirm: it is almost impossible to find tasteless beer in the land of the rising sun. On the shelves of Japanese stores there are both classic varieties and unusual labels. A bright representative of the latter is Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. Let’s find out what exactly it is good for. Freshness and harmony The original Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is brewed on the basis of Hitachino Nest Lager light lager, but with a secret ingredient. Yuzu juice, or Japanese citron, is added to the drink. Thanks to this fruit, the taste and aroma of the beer acquires characteristic citrus notes, refreshing sourness and piquant bitterness. In addition to yuzu itself, the flavor of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager has notes of tangerine, grapefruit, malt and hops. And in addition to the citrus sourness, the full-bodied flavor also shows light malt notes. Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is so refreshing and drinkable that it is often consumed without gastronomic accompaniment, as an aperitif. It is the perfect drink for hot weather or to quench thirst. This beer can also be served with light appetizers, salads and seafood. A bit of history If you want to delve more into Japanese beer culture, it’s also worth learning more about the maker of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. This is a Kiuchi company founded by Kiuchi Nihei in the city of Naka in 1823. Initially, the company only produced sake, and later switched to other alcohols such as wine, liqueurs, and beer. In 1996, Kiuchi put beer production on stream by opening its own mini-brewery, Hitachino Nest. Hitachino is the old name of the province, which in ancient times was known for its fertile soils and abundant crops of grains from which excellent beer was brewed. Kiuchi products have repeatedly received prestigious awards at beer competitions and festivals, not only in Japan, but also abroad. The beer is appreciated for its excellent taste and quality, and the company itself is appreciated for its loyalty to tradition: since its foundation, for almost two centuries, it has been owned by the same family. Looking for a place to try Japanese beer in Moscow? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant. We have many interesting varieties that will pleasantly surprise you!

24 March 2025

Jeju Beer Company: legendary craft from South Korea

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

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

Guinness beer: the history of the brand and the most popular Irish stout

Guinness beer: the history of the brand and the most popular Irish stout

If you ask anyone to name the top 5 most popular dark beers, Guinness would definitely be on the list. This Irish stout is known all over the world, and drinking it has become a whole philosophy. Many Guinness fans travel thousands of kilometers to taste the legendary drink in its homeland, and the list of such fans includes real stars, such as director Chris Hayden. Why Guinness beer is known and loved in any part of the world — this article was analyzed in this article. How it all began The founder of the brand Arthur Guinness was born in 1725 in Ireland. At the age of 27 he inherited a large sum for those times — 100 pounds sterling — and decided to invest it in business, opening his own brewery in the town of Leixlip. In 1959 he moved to Dublin, and although the brewing industry was going through a bad time, he rented a derelict estate near St. James Gate for 9000 years, where he continued to brew his beer. Despite the fact that beer production was in decline during those years, Guinness managed to spin out and even began exporting his products to England. After the death of the businessman, the brewery was inherited by his son, and then it was passed on to his children, until in the 1850s the next owner registered the Guinness trademark. Few people know that the brewery’s creator, Arthur Guinness, did not brew stout at his brewery — only English ale and porter. Guinness Draught, which became famous all over the world, appeared only in 1956, on the 200th anniversary of the lease signed by Arthur Guinness. The secret of success Much of the popularity of «Guinness» is due to competent advertising. From the slogan Guinness is Good For You to the widest range of souvenir products. It is in Guinness invented the so-called «beer widget», which allows you to create a delicate creamy cap when filling from the bottle and tin can. The creators received a Royal Award for this development, and the know-how itself was recognized as the greatest invention of the last 40 years. By the way, the Guinness Book of Records is also directly related to the brand — it was on the company’s initiative that it was first published in 1955. The idea of its creation was simple — to record in one place all the world’s achievements in order to solve the endless disputes of visitors to Irish pubs. Of course, all these interesting points do not fuel interest in Guinness products. But not advertising alone — Guinness beer really has a rich, smooth, creamy flavor, which is dominated by burnt and smoky tones, as well as notes of black coffee and caramel. By the way, the drink owes much of its popularity to the «beer widget» — a nitrogen capsule that creates a recognizable foam cap when bottled. The flavor of the beer is muted, with notes of roasted malt, coffee and milk chocolate. Looking for a place to try Guinness and other popular beers? Come to Lambic! Our chain of beer restaurants features hundreds of labels from around the world, as well as delicious food, great service and a cozy atmosphere. Come — we will find something to surprise you!

23 January 2025

That's the base: what kind of beer the zoomers drink and what Kraft has to do with it

That's the base: what kind of beer the zoomers drink and what Kraft has to do with it

What is cringe to some is Spanish shame to others. With the beginning of a new era, not only language changes — fashion, interests and, of course, tastes change. Including beer. We wondered what kind of beer people of different generations prefer, whether the fashion for craft beer among millennials is still alive, and what the Zoomers like. Who likes what kind of beer It turns out that the theory of generations, which was proposed by Americans William Strauss and Neil Howe, works in the field of food. The year of birth directly affects what food, drinks and lifestyle a person chooses. The following picture emerges for beer: — Generation X — those born between 1965 and 1979 — are beer traditionalists who choose the classics that have been tried and tested over the years, both imported and domestic; —  Millennials — children of the eighties and early nineties — drink mostly imported beers, and craft — still; — Zoomers — born after 1996 — are more health-oriented, so they don’t drink much beer. But if they do drink beer, they drink trendy drinks — fruit and tomato varieties, as well as beer smoothies. What’s on trend The beer industry has seen several consistent trends in recent years, and these trends are expected to be with us into 2025. Let’s take a closer look at what beer lovers can expect in the new year. First of all, imported beer will return to us. After sanctions were imposed, some brands left the market, and the share of foreign beer decreased to 7% of the total volume. Now imported beer is experiencing a new wave of popularity in our country, the former demand for it is returning, which means that there is hope for the appearance of familiar labels in stores. Non-alcoholic beer is still in fashion, and the reason for this is the fashion for a healthy lifestyle. Significant funds have been poured into advertising of beer without degrees, even Olympic champions support popular brands of non-alcoholic beer. According to statistics, sales of non-alcoholic beer have increased by more than 20% in the past year, and this is probably just the beginning. And, of course, unusual flavors were and still are in trend. Craft breweries are still at the top of their game — vegetable, tomato and mushroom gose, unusual fruit and berry drinks, and «soupy» flavors like tom yam are at the peak of popularity. No matter how old you are or what kind of beer you prefer, there’s sure to be a drink you’ll love at Lambic. And also in our beer restaurants — a wide choice of dishes, quality service and always cozy atmosphere. We are waiting for you!

20 December 2024

Holiday with Christmas beer flavor: we tell you what is Christmas beer

Holiday with Christmas beer flavor: we tell you what is Christmas beer

New Year’s Eve is associated with bubbles of sparkling wine, the cold season in general — with warming mulled wine, and Christmas, especially in the countries of the victorious foam — with the taste of Christmas beer. Not everyone in Russia knows about this Western tradition, and not everyone has tasted real Christmas beer. We fill the offensive gap and tell you what Christmas beer is, how to drink it and what to combine it with. A bit of history Christmas beer appeared in pre-Christian Scandinavia — Vikings brewed an unusual winter drink for the Yule holiday, which took place at the end of December. Beer was considered a gift to the Scandinavian gods, so its consumption was an obligatory item of the holiday program. In the Middle Ages Christmas beer was also loved in Europe — Germany, France, Belgium and England. Everywhere it was prepared in different ways, but it was always based on seasonal beer, usually strong and dense ale, which was brewed in monasteries and abbeys. In the XVIII century Christmas beer together with the Scandinavians emigrated to the USA, in the beginning of the XX century it gained commercial status, and in 1975 it got a new and permanent popularity thanks to Anchor Brewing Co, which released a special drink for Christmas holidays. And today Christmas beer is known and loved in many countries — for example, in Denmark its annual release is accompanied by a national holiday called J-Day. Features of Christmas beer Christmas beer is a strong, dark and spicy beer that has a rich consistency, sweet notes in the taste and a warming aftertaste. It both gives a sense of festivity and warms you up in the cold season as well as mulled wine. Brewers often add spices to Christmas beer — nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, orange and lemon zest. A prime example of a Christmas beer is Delirium Christmas from the Belgian brewery Huyghe. It is a strong amber ale with an aroma of fruit, spices and caramel malt, as well as a bright spicy taste with a bittersweet aftertaste. Perfect for winter! Christmas beer is best served chilled to 7-15 degrees, not in straight beer glasses, but in rounded glasses, as for wine. The ideal gastronomic pairing for the drink will depend on the variety, but the universal choice will be grilled meat, oven-baked vegetables, chocolate and creamy desserts. Looking for a place to try an authentic Christmas beer? Come to Lambic! Our beer restaurants offer a huge selection of quality beer from all over the world and delicious food that will be a perfect accompaniment to your favorite drink. Come — we will find something to surprise you!

20 December 2024

Instead of sparkling: how to choose beer for the New Year's table

Instead of sparkling: how to choose beer for the New Year's table

Pouring champagne at the chimes is certainly a tradition, but if sparkling wines are not your story, you can find a worthy alternative. Good beer will look just as festive in glasses, and with the right choice — will also make a harmonious pair with your favorite dishes. We tell you how to choose beer for the New Year’s table to make the holiday a real success. Olivier This salad is a must in any house, even if there are exquisite appetizers around. All families prepare Olivier in different ways — for example, add chicken instead of sausage or green apple. But one thing remains the same — mayonnaise, which gives the salad a recognizable taste and texture. It is no coincidence that Olivier is drunk with champagne — the acidity of sparkling wine balances the aftertaste of mayonnaise. Therefore, the main salad of the New Year’s table should be chosen from the same considerations. Beer varieties with soft malt notes — lagers, wheat varieties with a pronounced «bread» flavor — are best suited. On the contrary, strongly hopped beer is not suitable for olivier — its bitterness will only intensify the oily flavor. Herring under a fur coat Another famous New Year’s salad, which seems to have always been with us, but in fact appeared on the tables of the inhabitants of the USSR only in the sixties. Its emergence and further popularity is connected with the availability of the main ingredient — Baltic herring. And where there is herring, there is vodka, so many people still prefer to wash down the salad with it. And they do it wrong: forty degrees of vodka wipes out the whole flavor bouquet of the dish. It is better to serve herring under a fur coat with beer — IPA or stoned lager. A beer with a pronounced bitterness will help to balance the flavor of the salad, make you feel all its layers, and then combine them together, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. Red caviar sandwiches The ideal combination for caviar is champagne or sweet wines with high acidity, which complement its flavor and texture well. True, we are talking about caviar in its pure form, because in combination with bread it changes, becoming both sweet and salty at the same time. That’s why we recommend to serve beer with caviar sandwiches this New Year’s Eve — and compare the sensations. Choose light Belgian ale — you won’t go wrong. Tangerines Favorite winter citrus have a pronounced sweetness and high acidity. Therefore, it is better to pair them with «heavy» beer without pronounced bitterness. Belgian golden ale will help to emphasize the bright acidity of the fruit without interrupting its flavor. If you want something more original, try Belgian Quadrupel: you will get a familiar combination of citrus and chocolate. And if you don’t have time to think about it, choose any light lager or pilsner — fresh sorts of beer will help unobtrusively shade the taste of tangerines and balance its sweetness. Want more interesting combinations of beer with your favorite dishes? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant — we will advise you on varieties, choose the perfect gastronomic pairing and share the New Year mood with you!

20 December 2024