{"id":9561,"title":"Guide to Belgian beer","description":"Here at Rijden, we love Belgian beer. There's not much better than settling down to watch one of cycling's Spring classics or a top cyclocross race with a Belgian beer in hand. In this article, we describe the different types of Belgian beer.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: EXPLORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Here at Rijden, we love Belgian beer. There's not much better than settling down to watch one of cycling's Spring classics or a top cyclocross race with a Belgian beer in hand. In this article, we describe the different types of Belgian beer.\"\" So much choice <\/strong>Image credit: St Bernardus Brewery<\/a><\/p>

Beer Classifications<\/h3>

There are many ways of classifying Belgian beers and no general standard so it can be rather confusing. Some texts classify by the method of fermentation, others by Trappist or Abbey, etc. We\u2019re not going to cover every type of beer, but we\u2019ll do our best to summarise and provide some examples we think you'll like.<\/p>

It\u2019s much easier to describe beers by the typical classifications used in cafes and restaurants. Not all categorise them the same way, but hopefully, this will help. We\u2019ve sorted them into a very crude order of increasing alcoholic content. Stop when it gets too strong!<\/p>

Don't ask \"What's the strongest Belgian beer?\". Do ask \"What food would you recommend with this beer?\" If you're really interested, there is a Belgian beer that is 15% and comes from the Wallonian region. Asking which is the strongest beer is like asking how many bricks are in a building when trying to judge the most aesthetically appealing.<\/p>

Belgian beer should not be drunk for its strength but for its taste and aroma. Treat it like a fine wine that should be savoured and enjoyed slowly. Unless you're drinking Jupiler or Stella Artois in which case you might as well get the experience over as quickly as possible.\"\"A brewery around every corner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Belgian breweries vary enormously in size and the range of beers they offer. From huge conglomerates such as AB InBev whose beers include Leffe, Jupiler, Hoegaarden and Stella Artois to tiny village breweries. There are lots and lots of them.<\/p>

About 340 breweries produce in the region of 2,000 different beers. If you want to buy a beer from a smaller traditional brewery, look for the Belgian Family Brewers<\/a> label. The Belgium Family Brewers Association represents about twenty independent family-run breweries that have been making beer for at least 50 years.<\/p>

Witbier or White Beer 5-6% Alcohol<\/h3>

A cloudy wheat-based beer, often with orange peel and spices. Witbiers had almost died out in the 1950s before a resident in the Brabant village of Hoegaarden started brewing it again. \"\"Hoegaarden <\/em><\/strong>Image credit: Unsplash<\/em><\/p>

Hoegarden is one of the more commonly available Belgian beers in the UK, so in honour of the late Pierre Celis who resurrected the style, it's our Witbier recommendation. Goes well with seafood. For a Belgian Family Brewers alternative try Watou's Witbier from Leroy Breweries<\/a>.<\/p>

Pils 5-6% Alcohol<\/h3>

Pils or Pilsner beers are pale lagers that are produced and consumed in the greatest quantities in Belgium. The most popular is Jupiler which sponsors Belgium\u2019s Pro football league and appears on hoardings at cyclocross events.\"\" A common sight <\/em><\/strong>Image credit: <\/em>Thomas Strosse<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>Belgium's finest<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>CC BY 2.0<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Aimed at the mass market. Best served with football or cyclocross, but don\u2019t drink too much or you might end up like this fan ... For the full effect play with the sound turned on.<\/p>