Cider: the history and characteristics of the most apple beverage
Some people call cider beer, others are sure it is wine. In fact, the truth is somewhere in between. Cider was and still is a unique drink with its own rich history and vivid memorable taste.
How did it appear?
Without going into detail, cider is fermented apple juice. And if you go into detail, every detail counts: the variety of fruit, the way it is processed, and even the time of harvesting.
The creators of this drink are believed to be the ancient Romans and Celts. But cider has found its true popularity much later, somewhere in the 14–15 centuries. Demand was due to the lack of alternatives: In some northern countries there were no vineyards, and the wine was replaced by a drink based on apples among the locals.
Sour fruits with a high tannin content are used to create cider. Another important condition is that the apples must have a specific amount of sugar, no more and no less. It is in the right ratio of malic acid, sugar and tannins that lies the secret of the unique taste.
The production technology is quite simple: first the fruit is crushed, then the juice is squeezed out of it and placed in a special tank to be fermented. The yeast contained in the fruit itself is responsible for the process. After a while this mass turns into a liqueur, which is still too dry to be drunk. The drink is finished with sugar or fermented juice. Cider matures in oak barrels for a long time, but the result is definitely worth it.
The strength of cider varies on average from 2 to 12%. The right cider is the one with 100% natural juice. You can check this figure on the label.
Popular Varieties
Cider is especially popular with the French, where, like sparkling wine, it is consumed exclusively by the glass. The inhabitants of Brittany and Normandy even invented their own style of this drink with its characteristic sweetness and rich flavor of fruit.
Another popular style of cider is Western, which is distinguished by a bright taste of acetic acid. Also worth mentioning is the Spanish family, in this country they produce quite sour cider, which forms a puffy foam cap in the glass.
Cider is served in many beer restaurants — probably due to this frequent comparisons with beer. In Moscow you can try the original apple drink in the chain Lambic — we offer several varieties to choose from. And we have a huge assortment of beer and beer snacks, full lunches, and a very cozy atmosphere. Come on in!
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