| Belgium beer is one of the most varied collections of | | | | are found in abundance near Brussels. This is the only |
| beer in the world. Beer making in Belgium has its | | | | beer to be produced this way. The fermentation |
| origins in the Middle Ages when monasteries | | | | process takes place over a rather long period of |
| produced beer. Belgian beer often has a higher alcohol | | | | time, from 3 - 6 months for some to over 2 or 3 |
| content than other beers. This is due to a law that | | | | years for others. |
| prohibited the sale of spirits in pubs, causing them to | | | | Fruit beers are a variation of Lambic beer. Fruit beers |
| make beer with higher alcohol content so they would | | | | are made by adding fruit or fruit concentrate to |
| no longer be classified as spirits. The law was lifted in | | | | Lambic beer. The most common type is Kriek, which |
| 1983; however, many breweries still produce beer | | | | is made with cherries. Other common fruits used are |
| with an alcohol content between 6% - 8%. | | | | raspberry, peach and black currant. The fruit is used |
| Beer experts have a high esteem for Belgian beer. | | | | to trigger a second fermentation in the brew. |
| There are 125 breweries that produce about 500 | | | | White beer is made with wheat hops and contains |
| different types of standard beer. | | | | spices. Typically it is made with orange peel and |
| Trappist beer is a top-fermented beer, which is | | | | coriander and is often served with a slice of lemon. |
| brewed at a monastery. In order to qualify as a | | | | Flemish Red is a strong fruity beer that is a reddish |
| Trappist beer the entire brewing process must be | | | | brown color. Other Belgian beers include Dubbel, |
| overseen by or carried out by Trappist monks on | | | | Tripel, Blond, Brown and Amber. Each has its own |
| the monastery site. There are only 6 monasteries in | | | | specific brewing method and ingredients which cause |
| Belgium, which qualify for this categorization. | | | | a distinct flavor. Each type of beer has its own |
| Lambic beer is unique to Belgium. It is produced using | | | | specially shaped glass. The Belgian pubs are called |
| spontaneous fermentation using wild yeasts, which | | | | cafes, and they use these beautiful different glasses. |
