Why is Belgium the Disneyland of beers?

If you think that Belgian beers are just a drink, you are about to know a culture that elevates them to an art. With about 200 breweries distributed on such a small surface, Belgium is the mecca of beer, cataloged by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity. So, the next time a friend speaks to you of beer, talk to him from Belgium, the country that turned the birra into a cultural treasure.

A love letter to the best Belgian beers

Now, if you are ready to immerse yourself in the sea of ​​beers that this country has to offer, here you have a tour of 30 brewer jewelry that you must add to your desire list. Each has its character and charm, so prepare for a unique experience that will delight your palate.

Belgian beer stars: Top 10 to savor

1. ** Cantillon Fou ’Foune: ** This fresh Lambic is known for its complex flavors and the apricot spark. A true opera singer among the beers.
2. ** Oude Gueuze Tilquin A L’Ancienne: ** The rebel who reached the market recently, but quickly conquered the hearts of those who love the acid.
3. ** Lindemans Gueuze Cuvee René: ** A classic that has made acidity its best friend and that will vibrate your palate.
4. ** OUDE GEUZE BOON BLACK LABEL: ** Here, dryness pays tribute to acidity, creating a perfect balance.
5. ** Fonteinen Oude Kriek: ** The cherries are at home! A Lambic who knows how to dance between sweet and acidic.
6. ** Rodenbach Alexander: ** The resurrection of a lost beer, a mixture of flavor and nostalgia.
7. ** Cuvée des Jacobins Rouge: ** A classic example of what should be a flamenco, sweet and sour beer in perfect balance.
8. ** Liefmans GoudenBand: ** The Oud Bruin that everyone can love, without risks of drowning in acidity.
9. ** Saison Dupont: ** The mother of the Saisons who never goes out of style with her rustic touch.
10. ** Fantome Saison: ** Her juiciness and complexity make her a modern favorite.

The queens of acid: beers that will wake up your senses

11. ** Brouwerij de Ranke XX Bitter: ** An IPA that broke molds, exercising its bitter power.
12. ** Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel: ** A hybrid between IPA and Tripel with a character that challenges gravity (with 9.0% ABV).
13. ** Orval: ** The first of many, a classic with a mixture of unique notes thanks to Bretanomyces.
14. ** Petrus aged pale: ** This beer is like a lovely court lady, intriguing and worthy of being admired.
15. ** Duvel: ** The emblem of the Belgian Golden Ales, art in a bottle.
16. ** Dolle Arabier: ** A Belgian strong who has spirit and character, perfect for adventurers!

A world of flavors: the sweetness of the dark

17. ** Of the Senne Taras Boulba: ** Invites freshness with its lightness, a respite in the middle of so much weight.
18. ** Trappistes Rochefort 8: ** Poetry in a bottle with its mixture of fruits and sweetness.
19. ** Chimay Grande reserve: ** The Belgian presentation letter in the world of beer, a beauty that endures.
20. ** Westmalle Tripel: ** The mother of all Tripel, always faithful to her celebration in the evolution of the beer.
21. ** Westvletan 12: ** The legend that everyone wants to hunt, enjoying it is their own trip.
22. ** From Struise Brouweers Black Albert: ** A monster that defies the standards of the Stout, cannot be ignored.
23. ** Deus Brut des Flanders: ** The champagne of beers, a festive delight for gentlemen.

Final surprises: sweet madness

24. ** Chimay Rouge: ** A fruit pleasure that fuses perfectly with its homonym cheese.
25. ** Delirium tremens: ** With that famous white bottle, its flavor is the hug of an old friend.
26. ** Tripel Karmeliet: ** A time trip to beer roots with its cereal mixture.
27. ** Adriaen Bruwer Dark Gold: ** Dark as the night, sweet as a siren song.
28. ** St. Bernardus 12: ** Very close to gold, this quadrupel is worthy of your attention.
29. ** Straffe Hendrik Tripel: ** The well -known brewery that never disappoints.
30. ** HOEGARDEN WIT: ** Refreshing and light, with the spark you need on a hot day.

Let’s provide for the beer adventure

So, there you have it, a list of beers that not only promise to satisfy your thirst, but offer you a journey through a world full of history, tradition and passion. Prepare your glasses, fill your suitcases and let each sip a party for your senses. Health!

A trip that started seven years ago

In 2017, NASA surprised us with a revelation that made our imagination fly: seven exoplanets revolving around a star at just 39 light years. These worlds, now known as Trappist-1, have been asking us for more than seven years: Is it that in any of them they could be enjoying a good beer?

The show of the possible inhabitants

This group of planets not only became famous for their number, but for the conditions that could make some of them possible homes for life. The possibility of liquid water on its surface has illuminated the spark of scientific curiosity. Are we one step away from discovering that we are not alone?

Ongoing research

Throughout these years, Trappist-1 has been the center of attention for endless studies. Scientists have immersed themselves in the analysis of every detail offered by this system, from the composition of their atmosphere to the geological characteristics of their planets. Each piece of information collected adds to our understanding of how these peculiar worlds are formed and evolved.

The fascinating story behind the name Trappist-1

The curious name Trappist-1 is not just another boring scientific label. The choice of this name is a tribute to the passion for the beer of Belgian astronomers who made the discovery possible. Trappist is an acronym that refers to the telescope with which the finding was made. And, as if that were not enough, the name also pays tribute to the Trapsian beers, prepared by Cistercian monks in Belgium.

A garden of beers and exoplanets

The six discovered planets carry unofficial names, baptized in honor of the most recognized breweries in Belgium. At the University of Lieja, it is usual to see exoplanet images accompanied by bottles of trapenses beers. So you can say that these scientists are providing for the cosmos!

Will they be the twins of the earth?

From the beginning, the big question has been: is any of these exoplanets like our land? Although some characteristics share, such as the possible existence of water, they also present unique challenges, such as their proximity to the sun of their system. This closeness can raise obstacles, but also opens the door to a universe full of possibilities to discover.

What the future holds us

As we enter 2024, the Trappist-1 study is more alive than ever. With each technological advance, especially with new missions such as the James Webb space telescope, we are beginning to unravel the layers of the mystery surrounding these planets. Although we still have no definitive evidence of life, every new piece of the puzzle brings us a little more to the answer.

A symbol of hope

The Trappist-1 system is not just a set of planets in the vast cosmos, it is a lighthouse of curiosity and discovery. As we continue looking for life beyond our home, this star system will continue to shine in our hearts and minds, reminding us that the universe is a mysterious place full of surprises.

When the story is fermented in each sip

Beer, that drink that many today enjoy in their social meetings, is actually the product of a long evolution that dates back to times when we not only wanted to calm thirst, but also ensure a source of food and disease protection. During millennia, its elaboration has been influenced by cultural, geographical and economic factors, becoming much more than a simple alcoholic beverage.

A multicultural panorama: between valleys and deserts

From cold to warm regions, different civilizations adapted beer to their environments and beliefs. The peoples of northern Europe found in fermentation a strategy to take advantage of cereals and obtain a lasting and comforting drink, while in the south, where the vineyards prospered, the wine conquered the palates. Geography, more than anything else, decided what drank in every corner, and that legacy is still alive today.

The role of the state in planting and barrel

In the Middle Ages, the regulation of beer trade became a form of economic diplomacy. Production and distribution were organized around royal decrees that factions manufacturing, in addition to imposing taxes and controls, with the intention of monetizing each stage of the process. Ancient records show how the authorities intended to control even the quality of the main ingredients, at a time when each sip was part of a corporate and fiscal network.

The secrets in herbs and the origin of the magic of the Gruit

Before the mastery of the hops, the aroma and the properties of beer were determined by ancestral mixtures known as ‘Gruit’. The exact formula remained secret, transmitted from teacher to apprentice in monasteries and small workshops, adding an air of mystery and exclusivity. The plants involved, such as myrto, beleño and artemis, not only contributed flavor, but also preservative and medicinal properties, making these recipes a valuable hidden heritage.

The role of monasteries in beer evolution

The monasteries of northern Europe had a crucial role in these developments, functioning as innovation and conservation centers. Beer became an essential element in its diet, even during fasting times, also serving to feed animals with production waste. The introduction of hops, in the eleventh century, was a revolutionary step, since it not only improved conservation but also contributed to the quality of the final product.

The hops: from the monastery to mass production

Towards the twelfth century, the antibacterial and aromatic properties of hops began to transform into a revolution in beer elaboration. Although the feudal lords tried to stop their use to protect their fiscal rights over the Gruit, the pressure and practical benefits managed to impose their presence in traditional recipes. Today, the hops not only defines the bitter character of beer, but also provides aroma, preservation and balance to each variety.

The legacy of the monasteries in the beer history is undeniable: many of the techniques and recipes currently used have deep roots in the innovations and secrets that they guarded. The history of beer, as we know it today, is dyed with the wisdom of those who, centuries ago, knew how to transform ingredients and rituals into a universal art that transcends borders and epochs.