Belgian beer instead of champagne: ideas for a New Year's toast
- What can replace champagne: understanding the varieties
- Champagne or beer: what’s the difference?
- Choosing varieties and snacks
Champagne has long been a symbol of New Year’s Eve. But if you want to celebrate the holiday in an original way, we recommend experimenting by offering your guests Belgian sparkling beer instead of traditional bubbles. It will create the same festive feeling of freshness and lightness, but with a unique beer character. We will tell you which beer to choose and what to pair it with.
What can replace champagne: understanding the varieties
Belgium produces several styles of beer that are excellent alternatives to champagne:
— Gueuze, or Brussels champagne. It is made by mixing young and aged lambic, a spontaneously fermented beer. The mixture is bottled, where the sugars from the young beer trigger a secondary fermentation. The result is a dry, complex, tart and sour beer with a sparkling, lacy head and aromas of apples, citrus, vanilla, spices, and oak.
— Fruit lambic (Kriek, Framboise) is a spontaneously fermented beer to which berries or fruits are added. The fruit sugars trigger a new fermentation, not only giving the beer an intense berry flavor and rich color, but also filling it with lively, natural carbonation. This is not sweet lemonade, but a refined, sparkling drink that balances on the edge of sour and fruity.
— Flemish red ale is a foamy drink that resembles both beer and wine. It is a blend of young and old dark ale, aged in oak barrels for months and even years, which gives the drink a subtle, piercing, vinegary-fruity acidity and a complex aroma of red berries, cherries, vanilla, and oak. Despite its often moderate carbonation, its dry, tart, and clean finish make it an excellent alternative to light red wines and complex sparkling wines.
Champagne or beer: what’s the difference?
Like champagne, Belgian beer should be served in the right glass. The ideal choice is a flute or tulip glass. These will highlight the bubbles and reveal the aroma. The serving temperature is also similar—6—9°C.
In terms of flavor profile, there are virtually no similarities. Instead of the toasty, yeasty, and almond notes of champagne, you get a whole palette: from the sharp, wine-sour woodiness of geuze to the juicy bouquet of cherry criqu.
Thanks to their acidity and complexity, these styles of beer, like champagne, are perfect for an aperitif. In addition, they go well with a variety of foods.
Choosing varieties and snacks
New Year’s alcoholic beverages should be chosen according to the mood and menu of your festive table. Here are some foolproof varieties of Belgian beer and snacks that go well with them:
— Brussels champagne Lindemans Oude Gueuze Cuvée René. It has a complex, pleasant taste with an exquisite balance of sourness and sweetness. The aftertaste is dry and tart, with pronounced wine notes. Salmon tartare or smoked roast beef are good gastronomic pairings for this variety. The acidity and carbonation of the beer balance the fat and saltiness of these dishes. It can also be paired with mussels and rich cheeses.
— Lindemans Kriek is a classic cherry lambic from the brewery of the same name. It has a juicy, full-bodied flavor with a perfect balance of sourness and sweetness. It pairs well with baked Camembert with truffle paste or any salad. The creamy texture of the cheese creates an interesting contrast, while light vegetable dishes harmonize well with the fruitiness and acidity.
— Petrus Rood Bruin is a red Flemish ale with a complex, balanced flavor and a pleasant sourness. The aroma is multifaceted, with subtle tones of oak barrel and malt, complemented by delicate berry nuances. The ideal gastronomic pairing is Flemish beef and other meat dishes, stewed vegetables, and unsweetened pastries.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve with Belgian sparkling beer is a great opportunity to try something new and enjoy vivid emotions and impressions that will be remembered for a long time.
Brugse Zot Dubbel Beer: “The Fool from Bruges” with Belgian Character
Contents Back to the past: legend and revival Tasting characteristics Food pairings: what to serve it with Come and try it at Lambic Brugse Zot Dubbel is a unique Belgian beer, interesting not only for its taste but also for its history. Its name translates as «The Fool from Bruges», but behind the playful name lies a serious beer with a unique character — complex, rich and perfectly balanced. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it unique, how it came about and what it should be served with. Back to the past: legend and revival The history of Brugse Zot Dubbel goes back to an old city legend. In 1488, the people of Bruges rebelled against the strict rule of Emperor Maximilian of Austria and even took him prisoner. After his release, the emperor retaliated by banning city celebrations and fairs. But the locals did not give up: they organised a grand parade in honour of the monarch and asked him to allow the fairs to return, while also asking him to build a new madhouse for the city. The emperor replied with a phrase that would become legendary: «Close all the gates of Bruges, and you will have a madhouse!». Since then, the people of Bruges have been nicknamed «Brugse Zotten» — fools, or jesters from Bruges. Five centuries later, the De Halve Maan brewery, which has been run by six generations of the Maes family since 1856, decided to remind the townspeople of their history. In 2005, the brewery’s owner completed a major renovation of the brewery in the centre of Bruges and brewed a beer that became a symbol of its revival. Brugse Zot Dubbel beer quickly became a hit — first locally and then internationally. The beer received numerous prestigious awards, including gold at the Australian International Beer Awards 2013. Tasting characteristics Brugse Zot Dubbel is a dark Belgian top-fermented ale with an ABV of 7.5%. It has a beautiful hazy reddish-brown colour with a dense head. The main feature of the beer is that six special varieties of malt are used in its production, creating a unique and rich aroma. It also contains the famous Saaz hops from Žatec, which add a slightly bitter, spicy note to the beer. The flavour of the beer is complex and multilayered. You can detect notes of apple, cherry, caramel, raisins, molasses, earth, toast, nuts, pepper, clove, yeast and spices. Towards the finish, a soft but distinct hop bitterness appears, which does not overpower the palate but pleasantly completes the flavour. The aftertaste is long and warming, with nuances of liquorice and a subtle coffee note. Food pairings: what to serve it with Brugse Zot Dubbel is a complex and rich beer that requires the right food pairing. It works particularly well with: — Cheese. The beer pairs well with buttery and aged varieties such as Brie, Gouda and Swiss cheese. Those who like to experiment can try Gorgonzola. — Meat. Meat dishes, especially beef, complement the beer’s malty sweetness. — Chocolate. Dark chocolate desserts create an interesting contrast, perfectly balancing sweetness and bitterness. Come and try it at Lambic The best way to experience the uniqueness of Brugse Zot Dubbel is to try it for yourself. Visit any beer restaurant at Lambic — we will serve this beer according to all the proper traditions and recommend suitable snacks to accompany it. And if you feel like trying something else — we will suggest other interesting pairings. We look forward to welcoming you!
14 September 2026
Beer and Mussels: Which Styles Best Bring Out the Flavour of Seafood
Contents Why Mussels Pair Well with Beer Light Beers for the Delicate Flavour of Mussels Sour and Fruity Styles for Seafood What to Choose for Mussels in Sauce Mussels with Beer: Common Mistakes Come to Lambic Mussels are a versatile product. They are served with white wine, cider, and even dry vermouth, but few people know that mussels are also an excellent beer snack. Light beer such as witbier is the best way to highlight their delicate flavour, but you can also experiment by choosing fruity beers or sour lambics as an accompaniment. Below, we will take a closer look at each option and discuss the common mistakes you should avoid. Why Mussels Pair Well with Beer Mussels have a soft, delicate flavour with a slight sweetness and distinctive sea notes. Beer performs several functions here: — The bitterness of hops cleanses the palate and balances the saltiness and richness of the dish. — Carbonation (the bubbles in beer) also helps cleanse the palate and refresh the perception of flavour. — The malty base of beer, with its caramel and bready notes, enhances the natural sweetness of mussels, making it more pronounced and rounded. — Beer does not overpower the flavour of mussels, as can often happen with acidic wines or strong spirits, but gently accompanies it, prolonging the aftertaste. Light Beers for the Delicate Flavour of Mussels For classic recipes where mussels are simply stewed with onion, garlic, and herbs, light beer styles are ideal. Pilsner or light lager is a safe choice. They do not overpower the delicate flavour of the seafood, only subtly complementing it with bready notes. If you are preparing Belgian-style mussels, stewed in beer or white wine, witbier is best served as an accompaniment. Thanks to its notes of coriander and orange zest, this style adds extra character to the dish and perfectly refreshes the palate after every bite. Sour and Fruity Styles for Seafood Light beer is clear enough, but what else can you drink with mussels? Those who enjoy unconventional combinations should pay attention to sour and fruity beer styles. Lambic is a spontaneously fermented beer with a naturally pronounced tartness. It works with mussels on the same principle as lemon juice, which is often squeezed over seafood: it accentuates and highlights their natural sweetness, making the flavour brighter and cleaner. In addition, the slight tartness of lambic neutralises the saltiness of the dish. Fruit kriek is a type of lambic made with cherries, raspberries, peaches, and other fruits and berries. The beer’s berry freshness and the slightly sweet flavour of the seafood complement each other, while the overall acidity of the drink prevents the flavour from becoming cloying. Fruit krieks work especially well with raw or lightly marinated mussels — just as oysters harmonise with champagne or acidic white wine. What to Choose for Mussels in Sauce The choice of beer depends directly on the sauce in which the mussels are served: — Mussels in Roquefort sauce. Blue cheese gives the dish a rich, salty, and piquant flavour. This calls for a sufficiently full-bodied, complex beer that will not be lost against the cheese. An excellent choice is a tripel, Trappist, or abbey-style beer. — Mussels in tomato sauce. The acidity of tomatoes and the spiciness of garlic pair well with light wheat beer. If the sauce is spicy, it is better to choose a blonde ale. — Mussels in truffle and mushroom sauce. Truffle oil and cream create a rich flavour that calls for a beer without aggressive bitterness. The best choice is a light Belgian ale or abbey beer. Mussels with Beer: Common Mistakes The main mistake is serving beer that is too full-bodied with mussels, such as a rich stout or an extremely hop-forward double IPA. The high body and bitterness of these styles can overpower the delicate flavour of the seafood. If beer is used for cooking, it is best to avoid bitter styles so that the broth does not become unpleasantly astringent. It is also not recommended to serve beer too cold with a hot dish — a low temperature will make the flavour and aroma less perceptible. Come to Lambic Want to try the most interesting beer and mussel pairings? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant — our menu features both quality seafood and beers from around the world! We will help you find a harmonious pairing and do everything we can to make your gastronomic journey a memorable one. See you soon!
14 September 2026