Belgium’s Best Brews: Top 5 Picks For Beer Lovers In India

Belgium's unbroken history of brewing, dating back to the monasteries during Charlemagne's reign in the 8th century, is complemented by the widest variety of 700 original beer styles, which sets it apart and contributes to its deserved reputation among beer enthusiasts worldwide.

No other nation uses such a diverse array of fermenting techniques to create beer, ranging from low- to high-alcohol, light- to dark-coloured, sweet-and-fruity, to exceedingly bitter or sour.

If you're interested in sampling Belgian beer, here's an overview of the various varieties to get you started!

Trappist

The 'Authentic Trappist Product' logo is a quality guarantee in and of itself, but for a beer to be called Trappist and to bear that logo, it must be brewed in or near one of the six active Cistercian abbey monasteries in Belgium, with the monastic community either directly involved in the brewing process or overseeing it, and the profits from the sales must be used to support the abbey or charitable causes. Not only do Trappist beers come in a rainbow of colours, including amber, blonde, dubbel, and tripel, but they also vary greatly in scent, flavour, and alcohol concentration. This is one of the most popular kinds of Belgian beer!

Oude Gueuze

This Belgian beer is made using a method similar to Champagne production, which originated in the 18th century when in-bottle fermentation and improved glass bottle technology were both discovered. To make a beer that can be preserved for a long time, it is necessary to remove the dead yeast cells from the Lambic – another form of Belgian beer. This procedure leaves the remaining yeast to aid in the in-bottle fermentation of the Oude Gueuze, which gives it its signature taste.

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Lambic 

The unique and noteworthy nature of the beer stems from its brewing method, which differs significantly from traditional methods. It is one of the oldest beer varieties in Belgium. The malt mixture must include at least 30% unmalted wheat, which is one of the main differences. Another is the addition of hops, which can be up to six times more than in other beers. Like most beers, these hops are older and used as a preservative and antioxidant rather than to give the beer its bitterness or aroma. Using the wild yeasts that are present in the manufacturing region, this Belgian beer is made by spontaneous fermentation after boiling, which is perhaps the biggest distinction.

Red Beer 

Similar to lambic beers, Roodbruine bieren (red beers), a kind of Belgian beer, undergo a high-temperature fermentation and then age for months or even years in wooden barrels. In this process, known as double fermentation, the microorganisms dictate the flavour, resulting in a complex fruitiness and a mild, thirst-quenching sourness. The reddish-brown hue of red beers is imparted by the use of coloured barley malts; the other components include yeast, various forms of raw or malted grain, local mineral water, hops, herbs, and a sweetening agent.

Saison

A top-fermented golden ale is a local beer from the Belgian region of Hainaut, with a somewhat sour, dry, herbaceous, and fruity taste derived from the many yeast strains used (which can even include wild yeast). Hops are added by using water that is frequently hard and minerally. While traditional fermentation in a heated environment with more hops is the next step, in-bottle fermentation adds carbon dioxide and makes for a tangy, refreshing flavour.

Now that you know enough about Belgian beer, here are the best Belgian beer brands in India!

Belgian Beer Brands in India

Stella Artois

The chalice and elaborate pouring procedures accompany this six-century-old Belgian beer, but the effort is well worth it for the delicate, full-bodied flavour. The Belgians are unrivalled in their skill. This brewery is so dedicated to their beer that they have a nine-step pouring routine to guarantee the perfect flavour. During special occasions, serve a glass of Stella Artois, a seasonal beer. This is one of the most widely available Belgian beer brands in India!

Hoegaarden

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One of the oldest Belgian beer brands in India is Hoegaarden, which was first made in 1445. The beer gets its hazy look from the unfiltered coriander and orange peel that is added during brewing. This crisp beer has a 4.9% alcohol level with aromas of bananas and cloves.

Hopper Beer

The latest Belgian beer brand in India is Hopper, a Belgian artisan beer that has been in the family for 124 years. This beer tastes like nothing you've ever tasted before, thanks to its combination of wheat, barley, fragrant hops, Curaçao orange peels, and coriander seeds which provide a touch of spiciness. There are two varieties of Hopper: the citrussy, silky Hopper Withier and the malty, hop-forward Hopper Blonde.

Chimay

They are known for brewing authentic Trappist beers, and they are one of only 12 abbeys worldwide, with five of them in Belgium. They produce exceptional beers using time-honoured methods. Consider their Chimay 150, for instance. This beer is intensely flavourful, refreshing, and blond, delivering a powerful punch. The scents of mint, bergamot, lime, and eucalyptus are taken on an unexpected adventure by the gentle floral undertones, enlivened by a hint of ginger, which harmonises with the delicate hints of rosemary and clove. As is typical of Chimay beers, it has a smooth, round body and a spicy, smoky flavour that leaves a wonderfully refined aftertaste.

Huyghe Brewery

It has been an artisanal brewery run by separate families since 1654. Out of an annual output of 190,000 HL, more than 95 nations receive 75% of the product. The pink elephant is a global icon of Huyghe's Delirium beers, but the brewery is recognised for much more, including gluten-free options like Mongozo and various speciality brews, including Abbey of Averbode and La Guillotine. The Delirium Café in Brussels, which Huyghe founded and runs, is notable for its extensive beer selection (more than 3,000 varieties) and global franchise model. Delirium Tremens, an 8% strong blond ale, and Delirium Nocturnum, an 8% strong dark ale, were both recently launched to the Indian market by Brewery L. Huyghe.