Low fermentation
Order bottom-fermented beer at Belgian Beer Heaven
Looking for a refreshing Belgian bottom-fermented pilsner? Choose from more than 50 products in our webshop above and enjoy the following benefits:
- More than 1,500 Belgian beers in stock
- Ordered before 12 pm, shipped the next working day
- Compact and sturdy packaging, including insurance against glass breakage
How bottom-fermented beer is brewed
During the brewing process of bottom-fermented beer, also known as low-fermentation beer or lager beer, the yeast sinks to the bottom of the vessel. Compared with top-fermented beers, bottom-fermented beers are produced at lower temperatures, usually between 5 and 15°C. In addition, the process takes longer, sometimes up to several weeks.
The history of bottom-fermented beer
The origins of bottom fermentation lie in the German-speaking regions, especially Bavaria. Brewers there had known for centuries that fermenting beer in cool conditions and then storing it cold resulted in a more stable and drinkable beer. They stored their beers in cold caves in the Alps for that reason. The beer style known as ‘lager’ was named after the German word for ‘to store’.
The real breakthrough of bottom-fermented beer came in the 19th century. Thanks to better malting techniques, more brewing knowledge and especially the rise of electric cooling, lager became a huge success. A key moment was the brewing of the first blonde pilsner in 1842 in the Czech city of Plzeň (Pilsen). That beer became a model for countless other breweries. It eventually made pilsner and lager the most widespread beer family in the world.
Well-known bottom-fermented beers
The best-known example of bottom-fermented beer is without a doubt pilsner. Pilsner is a pale lager with a dry, refreshing finish and usually a distinct hop bitterness. The most famous Belgian pilsners are Stella Artois, Jupiler and Maes. The wide variety of bottom-fermented beers shows that this brewing method does not only produce light and highly drinkable beers, but also maltier, darker and more powerful brews. You can discover them all at Belgian Beer Heaven.
