Leffe beer: the brand that everyone knows
Most people in our country can hardly recognize even the most popular Belgian beers by sight. But everyone has definitely seen Leffe at least once — the drink with a bright yellow label has long become a regular in beer restaurants and supermarkets. But accessible in this case does not mean bad: both at home and abroad Leffe is appreciated for its excellent taste and quality. And it also has a very rich history, which is definitely worth telling separately.
Back to the Past
Leffe beer was born in the abbey of Notre Dame de Leffe, which was founded in the twelfth century. As in other monasteries, beer was brewed there out of necessity — the quality of local water left much to be desired, and substitutes like milk did not have a long shelf life. So beer served as an everyday drink — the monks consumed it themselves and treated travelers to it.
During the French Revolution, the abbey was destroyed and beer production ceased for a time. In 1929 the monastery was rebuilt and a little later the brewery was opened. And almost immediately it was purchased by the company Stella Artois, which launched the legendary beer into mass production. Today Leffe is brewed in Leuven and the abbey receives its royalties from sales.
Main Features
Leffe is a real Abbey beer, which means that it is traditionally dense and strong. Of course, there are also variations — the producer has included both Leffe-based beers and fruity ales in the lineup. But the main thing — the character of the legendary beer — the brewers have preserved even in modern flavors.
One of the classic varieties is considered to be Leffe Tripel. Its strength is 8.5%, and the taste has notes of orange peel, coriander, pineapple and peach. Another characteristic feature is the natural turbidity, which appears due to bottle fermentation.
Another popular variant is Leffe Blonde. It is less strong, only 6.5%, but it is in this variety that the traditional recipe of the old Abbey is recreated. The taste is full-bodied, with apricot, clove, vanilla, sweet corn and orange peel in the aftertaste.
These and other Leffe varieties can be tasted both in Belgium itself and in beer restaurants far beyond its borders. In the capital, you can enjoy this legendary beer in the Brasserie network. On top of this beer, you'll find a wide variety of popular and rare beers on our menu, as well as a delicious selection of tasty dishes and snacks to accompany the beers. We welcome all who are not indifferent to quality heady drinks — you'll like it here!
Lager Instead of Coffee: Can You Pair Beer with Breakfast and Light Meals?
Contents Can you drink beer in the morning and during the day Which salads pair well with beer Which breakfasts go well with beer It's commonly believed that beer is an evening drink, while breakfast or brunch usually comes with juice, coffee, or sparkling wine. In fact, pairing beer with morning and daytime dishes is a perfectly normal practice. The variety of styles makes it possible to find a match for almost any dish. And when chosen correctly, beer can work like an aperitif, awakening the appetite and gently aiding digestion. Can you drink beer in the morning and during the day Yes, and there are several reasons why. First, an ordinary lager or ale isn't any stronger than champagne, so even a glass of beer won't really get you drunk. Besides, hop bitterness in small doses stimulates gastric juice production, helping food digest better. The main thing is not to overdo the dose and not to pair the drink with greasy fast food. Which salads pair well with beer The main pairing principle is either contrast (something sour balancing something fatty) or harmony (malty sweetness softening salty and spicy flavors). Here are a few examples: — Salads with meat and poultry. Olivier salad with smoked duck pairs best with a light lager: its bready bitterness cleanses the palate. A salad with beef, pumpkin, and mustard dressing calls for a Belgian dubbel – its caramel sweetness will soften the spiciness.— Salads with fish and seafood. Niçoise salad with tuna and anchovies goes perfectly with a pilsner. A salad with shrimp, avocado, and feta cream is best served with a wheat beer (weissbier) – its soft banana and spicy notes will highlight the flavor.— Classic salads. Caesar salad pairs well with a wheat ale: banana and spicy notes will bring out the cheese and dressing. For Caesar salad with shrimp, a seasonal beer works well – its spicy acidity complements the seafood. Which breakfasts go well with beer An excellent beer pairing can be found for almost any popular breakfast dish: — Waffles. A potato waffle with salmon and poached egg pairs well with a sour ale. A waffle with chicken and mushrooms goes with a dry gose. Zucchini waffles with wasabi shrimp pair with a witbier.— Bruschetta. With beef and caramelized onion – pair with an amber lager. With chicken liver and arugula – pair with a milk stout.— Bacon and eggs. The best match is a light lager, which refreshes and cleanses the palate.— Sweet breakfasts. French toast with berries or oatmeal with raspberries pair wonderfully with a fruit lambic. Experiment – and you'll be amazed how many new nuances open up in familiar food. Or better yet, come for breakfast or a business lunch at Lambic: we'll recommend a beer that will win your heart, and tell you which dishes go best with it. See you soon!
17 June 2026
Beer and Cheese: A Pairing You Might Not Have Known About
Contents Why cheese and beer is a classic European pairing Which beer styles suit soft, semi-hard, and aged cheeses What to drink with blue cheese, goat cheese, and camembert Cheese and beer: ready-made set ideas for an evening at home and at Lambic restaurant Wine with cheese is a classic. But few people know that cheeses of various kinds can also be paired with beer. Beer doesn't overpower the flavor of cheese — it enhances it. Thanks to the wide variety of styles, you can find a match for everything from delicate mozzarella to pungent gorgonzola. Let's look at which cheese works best with beer and suggest a few interesting pairings. Why cheese and beer is a classic European pairing In Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, cheese boards have been served with beer for centuries. The reasons are simple: — carbon dioxide bubbles cleanse the palate of the cheese's richness;— hop bitterness helps balance it;— malty sweetness and fruity esters bring out even the most aged cheeses. Which beer styles suit soft, semi-hard, and aged cheeses Soft cheeses (brie, camembert, mozzarella, burrata) call for gentle styles: weissbier, witbier, bock. They add fruitiness without overwhelming the creaminess.Semi-hard cheeses (gouda, edam, tilsiter, cheddar) pair well with malty lagers, amber ales, and dubbels.Aged and hard cheeses (parmesan, gruyère, mature cheddar) go with IPA, tripel, barley wine, or imperial stout. What to drink with blue cheese, goat cheese, and camembert Blue cheeses (gorgonzola, roquefort, dorblu) pair perfectly with sour beer: fruit lambic or gose. A classic combination is roquefort with raspberry lambic.Goat cheese, with its tangy, earthy character, goes well with witbier, saison, or dry lager.Camembert and brie are best served with milk stout or porter: coffee-chocolate notes harmonize with the creaminess. Cheese and beer: ready-made set ideas for an evening at home and at Lambic restaurant Here are a few tried-and-tested combinations: Light aperitif set:— mozzarella or burrata with a Belgian witbier (such as Hoegaarden);— fresh goat cheese with a seasonal beer. Rich set:— aged gouda with an amber lager (märzen);— cheddar with a medium-bitterness IPA. Experimental set:— gorgonzola with lambic (cherry or raspberry);— camembert with milk stout. A versatile option for home: take four cheeses – brie, gruyère, roquefort, and fresh goat cheese – and serve them with witbier, tripel (such as Tripel Karmeliet), kriek, and gose. Try each pairing, and you'll be amazed how differently both the beer and the cheese reveal themselves. At Lambic, we'll offer you cheese appetizers to match any beer you choose. Come by – we'll find something to surprise you with!
17 June 2026