The Belgian Beer Book: Tapping into Belgian beer culture
Author: Erik Verdonck / Published: 2016-11-11 21:40:28 +0100 / Last Updated: over 1 year ago
At the Boekenbeurs in Antwerp© BeerTourism.com
BELGIUM - How do you write an unbiased review of a book that you yourself have written, pouring your entire soul into it? I’ll immediately give up on that impossible task and instead I’ll offer you a peek behind the
_683x1024.jpg?1478542683)
A happy judge at The Brussels Beer Challenge
© BeerTourism.com
scenes with a brief making-of account delivered alongside big kudos to my co-author, beer sommelier Luc De Raedemaeker.
How do you start a giant project for which your publisher has allowed around six months?
And just how do you build up a picture of the almost endless world of Belgian beer culture?
We managed it by browsing through piles of stories and wading through mountains of images, selecting some for additional investigation with a clear strategy in mind.
Admittedly, we didn’t start entirely from scratch. Luc boasts many years’ experience as a teacher of zythology; he is also the driving force behind the renowned international Brussels Beer Challenge; and, thanks to his travels through the length and breadth of the beer world, he has established an impressive network of friends.
And I am always on the ground where the beer news is breaking, visiting tiny, medium-sized and mega breweries to write the stories that you read and take the pictures that accompany them on BeerTourism.com.
Luc’s knowledge of brewing techniques is second to none, and he has certainly mastered the art of beer tasting, whereas I try to take the view of the general public. What would be of interest for the ‘person in the street’ – and not just on the streets of Belgium - about a particular brewery? Why is it worth a visit?
_1024x683.jpg?1478599358)
A true page turner...
© Kim Vanbesien Fotografie
Not an Encyclopaedia
“Does this book cover all Belgian beers?” is a question we are often asked. The answer is “no”. We never set out to include every single beer on the market. Had we done that, this book would have been outdated
_683x1024.jpg?1478598851)
Luc De Raedemaeker & Erik Verdonck
© Bart Van der Perre
from the moment it was published, as new beers appear and disappear every day. But you will find descriptions of over 100 beers, all classified by their style.
As we Belgians cannot claim a monopoly on the truth of beer, we have invited international beer experts to have their say on the country’s brews. We have travelled at great speed through beer history, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
And our overview of Belgian beer culture would not be complete if we did not pay attention to our characteristic cafés, vintage beer advertising, labels, beer mats and, last but not least, our beer glasses.
After all, drinking a beer from the wrong glass, to us, is a mortal sin.
The ‘Beer Tourism’ chapter provides region-by-region details of breweries that are open to the public. We also cover the basics of the brewing process and show you how to taste, tap, pour and store your beer.
Spoil your taste buds with a chapter on ‘Beer Cuisine and Food Pairing’. If you are looking for recipes, you will search in vain. But you will find an introduction to the tasting experience, as well as suggestions for the best beers to pairs with cheese, chocolate, game, seafood, shell fish, Asian cuisines, and other types of food. We also include a listing of recommended beer restaurants.
_1024x683.jpg?1478542710)
Brazilian beer expert Gabriella Montandon
© BeerTourism.com
Beer is Fun!!!
The Belgian Beer Book is not a catalogue - after all, beer should be fun. We will tell you when the most important beer festivals are held, but the book’s cover makes sure to remind
_768x1024.jpg?1478598621)
An ode to tradition...
© Daiane Colla
you to refill your glass before you set out.
It is an image that is replicated in thousands of Belgian cafes every day. A table that could tell a story or two is pictured.
Between two glasses sits a beer mat displaying the book’s title. A fresh, wet ring clearly shows that another glass has just been picked up. Is it time to order another one? “Waiter!”
And if you get lost on your beer journey, the three bookmark ribbons – in tricolour yellow, black, and red – remind you that all beer roads lead to Belgium.
This isn’t a book to read from cover to cover, it’s something to pick up from the coffee table, to leaf through as you immerse yourself into the mood and culture of a country and its beer.
So if this book isn’t an encyclopaedia, a catalogue or a how-to guide for hobby brewers what exactly is The Belgian Beer Book? It is an enormous and well deserved homage to the rich and varied beer culture of Belgium, which has now been included by UNESCO in its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The Belgian Beer Book is an ode to an ancient tradition that still has plenty of life in it. They say that a good beer will sell itself, but we’d like to give praise where it is due and reward our brewers with a well-deserved pat on the back. With this book you can consider it done.
Order Your Copy
English:
The Belgian Beer Book
Lannoo, August 2016, 704 p
ISBN 9789401435529
Dutch:
Het Belgisch Bierboek
Lannoo, Augustus 2016, 704p
ISBN 9789401435512
Recent Blog Posts
Trappist beer meets whisky, Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018At the BeerLovers’ Café just behind Liège’s City Hall we get together to taste the limited edition Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018, a Trappist beer aged in whisky barrels. ... [ read more ]
Palm and Rodenbach - now under the banner of Swinkels Family BrewersLIESHOUT/STEENHUFFEL - Since 2016 the Palm, De Hoorn and Rodenbach breweries have been owned by Bavaria, a Dutch-based brewer. Two years after the takeover, Bavaria has been re-named Swinkels Family ... [ read more ]
The Brewers Of Europe Forum 2018BRUSSELS - To be authentic is not a competition and neither is it a fashionable attitude. You either are an authentic brewer or you are not. You are driven, you make great beers that have a soul, you ... [ read more ]
Zythos 2018. Watch out… there’s some heritage about!LEUVEN - 12,500 fans made their way to Leuven for what was already the 15th edition of the Zythos beer festival. Many fans travelled a long way to get to Belgium. They flocked here from many European ... [ read more ]
Showcasing the Belgian art of living, Horecatel 2018MARCHE-EN-FAMENNE - “Their cuisine is on a par with that of the French and the portions are generous...” When people discuss the Belgian art of living, it won’t be long before the term ‘Burgundian’ ... [ read more ]
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment
SHARE:
You Might Like
Looking for lambic, geuze or kriek, Trappist beer, Belgian speciality beer, abbey ale, limited editions or a gift voucher? Belgian Happiness offers a wide range of Belgian beers, beer glasses and mixed beer boxes. Worldwide shipping and get 10% off by ordering a full box!
The ultimate book on Belgian beer; a 704 page illustrated hardcover written by Erik Verdonck and Luc de Raedemaeker. Discover how brewing works, how to tap, pour, taste and store your beer; which beer styles and types there are, how to pair beer and food, must-try beers and what about the new craft beer trend? The Belgian Beer Book covers it all.
Brewery Van Honsebrouck - Bierkasteel
Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck, well known for it's "Kasteel" beer range, now offers their Bierkasteel beer experience; brewery visit, event location, restaurant, bar and shop. Open from 10th August 2016.
On August 24th, 25th and 26th we look forward to welcoming you to the 4th edition of the North Sea Beer Festival. Taste over 200 Belgian beers, eat some delicious food and enjoy the music in the wonderful surroundings of Leopoldpark in Ostend.
The Duvel Moortgat Brewery caters to everyone’s tastes with 3 different brewery experiences. From complete novice to experienced beer lover, Duvel has the brewery visit package for you.
BLOG
POSTS
Trappist beer meets whisky, Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018
At the BeerLovers’ Café just behind Liège’s City Hall we get together to taste the limited edition Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018, a Trappist beer aged in whisky barrels. T... [ more ]
Palm and Rodenbach - now under the banner of Swinkels Family Brewers
LIESHOUT/STEENHUFFEL - Since 2016 the Palm, De Hoorn and Rodenbach breweries have been owned by Bavaria, a Dutch-based brewer. Two years after the takeover, Bavaria has been re-named Swinkels Family ... [ more ]
The Brewers Of Europe Forum 2018
BRUSSELS - To be authentic is not a competition and neither is it a fashionable attitude. You either are an authentic brewer or you are not. You are driven, you make great beers that have a soul, you have a good story to... [ more ]
Zythos 2018. Watch out… there’s some heritage about!
LEUVEN - 12,500 fans made their way to Leuven for what was already the 15th edition of the Zythos beer festival. Many fans travelled a long way to get to Belgium. They flocked here from many European ... [ more ]
Showcasing the Belgian art of living, Horecatel 2018
MARCHE-EN-FAMENNE - “Their cuisine is on a par with that of the French and the portions are generous...” When people discuss the Belgian art of living, it won’t be long before the term ‘Burgundian’ ... [ more ]
More Beer
Many Belgian towns and cities have their own city beer. Bruges is no exception, with the Brugse Tripel from the De Gouden Boom brewery. Brouwerij Palm took over De Gouden Boom in 2... [ more ]
Beer Tourism Newsletter Signup
Enter your name and email address on the right and click "SignUp" to join.