Belgium is a place best known for great ales and specific tastes. Brewing has been something that they have excelled in and have been doing so for quite some time. There are more than 125 breweries in this country. That is a record number for anywhere in Europe that produces beer, aside from Germany.
With more than 500 types of ales, Belgium has been known in history to have begun brewing in the middle ages. Europe has a rich history that dates back to the very beginnings of time and where modern civilization began, so it’s no wonder why they had introduced brews to Americans.
The alcohol content they produce in their ales range anywhere from six to eight percent, eight percent being on the higher end of production. These ales are very strong and should only be tasted and not indulged in due to the large alcohol content. You should enjoy them whenever possible, but with extreme caution if you will be operating a motor vehicle.
Here are some different types of brews made in Belgium:
- Lambic – This is an ever so popular brew that has made its way into the homes of many Americans. Lambic comes in different varieties such as raspberry and cheery. These beers have a strong syrup taste to it as they have been fermented for long periods of time.
- Fruit Brews – Belgium brewers only use fresh or concentrated fruits in their brew. This was one of the first known ales ever as all it was fruits fermenting in sugar and concentrate. This made a wine type ale that, over the years, had been modified in order to be sold in pubs and restaurants all around. Some of the fruits they used were peaches, raspberries and currents.
- White Ales – These types of ales are unique only to the Belgium area; although recently they have hit American bars and restaurants and have become a popular hit among craft beer enthusiasts. They make their ale from many different types of hops and spices and also add in orange peels and coriander for a different taste.
This is part of Belgium’s rich history behind brewing. If you would like to know more about its history, you can research it on the Internet. However, if you want to know more about American craft beers and breweries, get a copy of my book, The American Book of Craft Breweries.
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