Why do they drink more beer than wine in Belgium?

I do love beer but I think that wine has it's own special flavors. I love cooking with both, they add a lot to food. Thank you

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

That's what I was thinking, and beer did start in Egypt where growing grains was more common than fruit.

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

Grapes grow very well in much of northern Europe. The best wines in the world come from France, Germany, and perhaps Northern Italy (maybe northern CA if you want to push it). The Rhineland has ancient vineyards, and you can find wine grown near the Elbe too.
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You may have a point that crop yields are better with barley than grapes in northern Europe, but actually I think that might just be because southern Europe may be less suitable for growing barley --- not that northern Europe is less suitable for growing grapes. As a practical matter, one of the driving forces behind the Roman Empire's expansion to eastern+northern Europe and North Africa was the grain growing capacity, especially for wheat. When Alaric sacked Rome, the first thing he did was cut that wheat trade from Africa off.
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I don't think Canada is notable for its wheat beer consumption, at least not yet. Southern Germany and Belgium probably have the most wheat beer consumption (until recently, probably the only).

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by bolwerk on October 22nd, 2009

Thank you Bolwerk...

I am from Quebec (canada) and there are loads of Beer drinkers here... just not the Refined kind of beer drinkers. LOL -- the stuff that is drunk here is somewhat Crappy (but Cheap).

Mind you, I must say, I never touch the stuff - So what do I know.

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by Nats411 on October 22nd, 2009

From what some relatives who still live in Belgium tell me, it's really too cold to consistently grow wine grapes. The beer that is made from grapes there aren't even made from wine grapes. But all sorts of grains grow very well.

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

Grapes do need sunlight, and now that I think about it probably do fail more easily in colder climates. Germans have what they call a "10 year wine." It's said that every wine yield is good, but you get an exceptional one every ten years because of a few more clear days.
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But wine grapes certainly grow very far to the north, as Elbe wines suggest. The Vikings certainly had designs for growing wine in what is now Newfoundland, though I suppose they never got very far.

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by bolwerk on October 22nd, 2009

I've had some wine made in Newfoundland, Canada and also tasted some of their ice wines from the Niagara area. There are uses for cold weather grapes, but there isn't a lot of it lol!

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

Upstate NY has become an excellent wine growing region itself.

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by bolwerk on October 22nd, 2009

There are terrific wines in the Finger Lakes area. I just buy the grapes and make pie and jelly, though :-) People don't seem to be into making their own wine here much. Back in California where we used to live, so many people made wine. Then again, many people brewed beer, too lol!

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

Wine making seems like a lot more work than beer making. I make my own beer myself, but really wouldn't care to try making wine.

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by bolwerk on October 22nd, 2009

We made beer before. It was lots of fun, more immediate gratification compared to wine. I've done wine, too and you're right it can be a lot of work.

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by Galeanda on October 22nd, 2009

Thanks, Suby. Belgians aren't known for loving water, might be the cold weather and needing something hardier than wine :-)

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by Galeanda on October 16th, 2009

I have heard of people in some countries in Europe never drinking water and getting all their body moiture from the beer they consume.

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by Suby the Coat on October 16th, 2009

Ew! That sure doesn't sound healthy but maybe if their water isn't very good I can understand. I love water, even though I am Belgian LOL!!!

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by Galeanda on October 16th, 2009

Its not just Belgium. People in many other countries in Europe are said to have this practice of never drinking any water but only beverages of all sorts. I don't know how accurate my information is, though.

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by Suby the Coat on October 16th, 2009

Yes, we do! It sure warms the body an dsoul, too :-) Goes great with food. I'm making a Belgian beef stew with beer tomorrow. Can't wait :-) Thanks,

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by Galeanda on October 15th, 2009

I love Belgium and I love Belgian beer.The only trouble is that some of their bottled beers are too strong.The beef stew sounds delicious and do you have suet dumplings with too?

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by Schonberg on October 15th, 2009

No, we love mashed potatoes with it, I might add some roasted garlic to those. I do like dumplings with chicken stews, though.

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by Galeanda on October 16th, 2009

I'm making a terrific Belgian stew simmered in beer tomorrow :-)
I sure have beer on the brain! LOL!! Thanks again

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by Galeanda on October 15th, 2009

I have enjoyed your beer questions a ton - lots of fun, Gal!
Do you ever make a cheese fondue with a beer base? I would love a recipe, if you do!
Stew sounds amazing... and authentic. Yummy!

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by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on October 15th, 2009

OH I've got a cou0ple of good ones!!!
One is cheddar based, though you can substitute about a third of the cheddar with Gruyere or Emmenthal for a smoother taste.
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1 clove garlic - rub when whole inside fondue pot, chop up afterward
12 oz Belgian dark beer
1 ts. lemon juice
1-2 Tb spicy mustard
5 1/2 cups or 20 oz. cheddar cheese
1 Tb. cornstarch
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Dissolve the cornstarch in a little of the beer. Add everything to a saucepan and heat up slowly. If the fondue is too thin for your liking, add a little more cornstarch/water slurry and heat up the mixture again. Use a good beer!

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by Galeanda on October 16th, 2009

And I've used this one when I want something different. It's great with fruit, veggies and bread. Try dipping pears and apples. It's awesome!!!
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12 oz Belgian dark beer
10 oz cheddar cheese
4 oz blue cheese
7 oz Emmenthal cheese, grated
1 Tb cornstarch
Black pepper to taste
Just a splash of milk to smooth it out might be needed

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by Galeanda on October 16th, 2009

Wow - that sounds amazing. I am definitely going to check this out ASAP! Thanks so much for taking the time to write out both the recipes. You are my kitchen wiz, my friend!!! {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!!!!!!!!!!

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by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on October 17th, 2009

Anything you need, and if I know it, you've got it, sweet friend :-)

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by Galeanda on October 18th, 2009