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Belgium, the land of beer
Why is beer associated with Belgium? Belgian beer is listed as a World Heritage property. Nearly 1500 different beers are produced in the country using different fermentation methods: from Pils, Abbey beers, Seasons beers, Trappist beers, Old Flemish browns, to the most elaborate Lambic and Gueuzes,
Belgium has a wealth of styles and a rare creativity. Beer is an integral part of Belgium's history. It was the drink of the monks, who mastered its production and know-how, enabling them to drink beverages purified from the diseases that devastated Europe in past centuries. This activity also enabled them to keep their community alive over the centuries. Some monasteries continue to produce their beers within their community, the famous Trappist beers such as Westmalle, Rochefort or Chimay.
As early as the Middle Ages, many farms produced beer in winter, to quench the thirst of all their farm workers in summer. This beer is the origin of the Seasons beers. These farms continued to brew and thus became real brewing institutions, such as the Dupont brewery founded in 1759, the Dubuisson brewery founded in 1769 and the Du Bocq brewery founded in 1858. Many historic breweries continue to brew according to the same traditional recipes, transmitted from generation to generation, sometimes for 5 generations.
In addition to these secular breweries, there are new brewers who work every day on new recipes and try something new. Beer is much more than a festive consumer product in Belgium. It is certainly drunk in the evening or as an aperitif, but also increasingly at the table. Each dish has its own beer or beers. In short, beer is consumed in Belgium as nowhere else in the world. A Belgian drinks 74 liters of beer a year, or one glass a day. (Certainly more then one glass !) Every Belgian beer has its own story that is told around a good dinner. No wonder Belgium is considered the land of beer!
I don't care for beer myself, but my sons love to go to various breweries around here, and they try all kinds of craft beers. We have a few local craft beer breweries and a lot more around our state. I am sure they would love to try Belgian beer...on site! And the Dutch ones, too, as that is their own heritage from my side. Hubby has Danish forebears.
ReplyDeleteThe last photo shows a man holding a ginnormous glass, much too big for most teens and adults. Imagine when the police stop his car and ask how much he drank - he can honesty say j"ust one glass, sir!"
ReplyDeleteSorry,
DeleteHels,
Art and Architecture, mainly.
In Munich you always get such a big beer unless you ask for a small one. Especially during the Oktoberfest !
DeleteThat was so interesting. I didn't realise Belgium was so invested in beers.
ReplyDeleteI am not a beer drinker but my daughter and her husband enjoy visiting micro breweries and trying new beers. I had no idea that beer was so important in Belgium.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize there was such a story behind Belgian beer. And my goodness - that "glass" of beer in the last photo is daunting! I'd certainly have to parse that out over a few days!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/11/avoca-mill.html
It is for sharing, looks like one liter. greetings from Inez
DeleteI didn't know that about Belgium and Belgians. Thanks for sharing that history.
ReplyDeleteI'll be right over to have lunch and a beer with you, Gattina. Such fun.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful smile.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. Scritches to Rosie. ♥