There’s something rather special about a summer evening. The barbecue has been fired up, the sun is still hanging in the sky, friends and family have gathered together and, for once, nobody seems to be in quite such a hurry.
And then comes the important question…

What beer are you drinking?

When temperatures rise, it’s easy to reach for the nearest lager, but Belgian beer offers a whole world of possibilities for those looking to make their summer drinking a little more interesting.

Belgian beer isn’t just for winter
Belgian beers are often associated with strong Trappist ales, rich dark beers and warming winter drinks. And yes, there are plenty of those to enjoy when the nights draw in!

But Belgium also produces some fantastic beers that are made for sunshine.
Think refreshing blond ales, crisp wheat beers, fruity lambics and lighter beers with plenty of flavour. Belgian brewing has always been about variety, and that means there’s a beer for practically every occasion.
Whether you’re sitting in the garden, enjoying a barbecue or simply relaxing after a long day, the right Belgian beer can turn an ordinary summer evening into something memorable.

So, what should you choose?

If you’re looking for something refreshing, a Belgian blond is an excellent place to start. These beers often combine a gentle sweetness with fruity and spicy flavours, while still having enough character to keep things interesting.
For something particularly refreshing, why not try a fruit beer?
Belgian brewers have been experimenting with fruit for generations, and beers featuring cherry, raspberry and other fruits can be wonderfully refreshing on a warm evening. They can also make an excellent alternative for anyone who finds traditional beer a little too bitter.

And then there’s wheat beer.

Belgian wheat beers are typically light, aromatic and wonderfully refreshing, often with hints of citrus and spice. They’re the sort of beers that make you want to sit back, put your feet up and enjoy the last few hours of daylight.
Not sure where to start? Here are five of our favourite picks from The Belgian Beer Company that are perfect for making the most of those long August evenings.

– Brugse Zot Blond
6% ABV | Blond Ale
A fantastic all-rounder for a summer evening. Brugse Zot Blond is golden, refreshing and full of character, making it an ideal choice when you want something lighter without sacrificing flavour. A great beer to enjoy in the garden or alongside a barbecue.

– Blanche de Bruxelles
4.5% ABV | Belgian Witbier
Light, refreshing and wonderfully suited to warm weather, Blanche de Bruxelles is a classic Belgian wheat beer. Its cloudy appearance and delicate citrus and spice character make it an easy-drinking choice for a sunny afternoon or relaxed evening.

Kriek Boon
Fruit Lambic
For something a little different, reach for a Kriek Boon. Made with cherries, this beautifully coloured Belgian beer combines fruity sweetness with the characteristic tartness of a lambic. It’s refreshing, distinctive and a brilliant introduction to the world of Belgian fruit beers. The Belgian Beer Company specifically recommends Boon Kriek among its fruit beer selection.

Fruli
4.1% ABV | Strawberry Wheat Beer
Fancy something fruity? Fruli combines Belgian white beer with strawberry juice to create a refreshing, fruity drink that’s particularly well suited to summer. At 4.1% ABV, it’s also a great choice for a long evening with friends.

 Super 8 Blanche
5.1% ABV | Belgian Wheat Beer
A brilliant choice for a warm summer evening, Super 8 Blanche is a refreshing Belgian wheat beer from Haacht Brewery. Brewed with freshly ground coriander and orange peel, it has a wonderfully aromatic, citrusy character that makes it particularly enjoyable when served chilled at 3°C. It’s also an award-winning beer, having picked up gold at the 2019 International Beer Challenge. A great choice for anyone looking for a refreshing Belgian beer with plenty of flavour.
Our tip: Why choose just one? Pick a couple of different styles, invite some friends over and turn your August evening into your own little Belgian beer tasting. There’s no better way to discover a new favourite!

Don’t forget the glass!

One of the things we love about Belgian beer is that the glass really does matter.
Belgium is famous for its enormous variety of beer glasses, with many breweries having their own distinctive shape. There’s a reason for this: the right glass can help showcase the beer’s aroma, flavour and appearance.
So, rather than reaching straight for the bottle, take a little time to pour your beer properly, admire the colour and allow those aromas to develop.
After all, if you’re going to spend time choosing a great beer, you might as well enjoy the whole experience!
Make August your month of discovery

Perhaps the best thing about summer is that there’s no need to stick with the same old favourites.
Why not make August the month you try something completely different?
Pick a Belgian beer you’ve never tasted before. Try a style you normally wouldn’t choose. Discover a new brewery. Or, better still, put together a little tasting session with friends and see which beer becomes everyone’s favourite.
Belgian beer is all about discovery, and with hundreds of beers available from breweries across Belgium and beyond, there’s always another bottle waiting to be opened.

So, as August rolls on and those long summer evenings slowly begin to shorten, make the most of them.
Find a sunny spot, invite some friends, pour yourself something delicious and raise a glass.
Because summer might not last forever… but there’s always time for one more Belgian beer. ?
Discover our range of Belgian and world beers at The Belgian Beer Company and find your perfect summer tipple.