Blond beer

Zinnebir is a perfectly balanced Pale Ale, with a golden color slightly tending to amber. It develops fruity and hoppy aromas reminiscent of dried apricot and orange marmalade. They are supported by malted notes very slight biscuity, as well as by a beautiful bitterness.

When you pour Zinnebir into your beer glass, on top of the beautiful golden and orange colour lies a velvety white foam. The word balance is the key for this beer. The body of the beer is perfect, not too full or light. There is an equilibrium between the hops and malt. You have the flavours from de la Sennes' own yeast that are balanced out with the maltiness. Everything in the beer works well together. The profile is spicy, zesty, herbal and floral. The German and Slovenian noble hops give it the needed bitterness. In the mouth, you may even notice a bit of pineapple and honey. 

It is a perfect thirst-quenching beer!
 

The story of Zinnebir

Get ready to discover the story of Zinnebir as it is unlike any beer that came out of thirst or experimentation. 

Zinnebir is brewed by Bernard Leboucq and Yvan De Baets, two Brussels-based brewers and founders of de la Senne brewery. One was a homebrewer and another a social worker. The brewers first had a microbrewery in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, which then became too small for them to truly express themselves. Thus, they moved to Brussels and opened a brewery in 2010 in a converted bread factory. Both brewers had already long thought about creating an iconic beer for Brussels city. 

After planning, the brewers agreed to brew a beer for the annual Zinneke parade in 2002. The parade is a celebration of Brussels’ cosmopolitan spirit. This is how Zinnebir was born. The two beer brewers did not have their brewery back then, so the beer was brewed in a basement.

The beer name came after the Zinneke parade and also the Senne river that flows through Brussels. The Dutch part calls the river la Zenne but also Zenneke, which means little Zenne. Sometimes even the people of Brussels are called Zinnekes. 

The brewers worked on perfecting the beer throughout the years to arrive at the flawless product that it is now. They changed the raw ingredients to achieve the perfect balance between hop, malt, spiciness and fruitiness. The brewers intended to make a beer that can be drunk a lot. Thus, the alcohol content is 5.8%. And of course, the beer is brewed in an artisanal way without any additives. 

We can now say that de la Senne brewery has accomplished its mission and Zinnebir is a beer of Brussels and the people of Brussels. The beer flavour reflects the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Brussels, but like all the ingredients, flavours and tastes of the Zinnebir, the different cultures and people of Brussels live together in a perfect balance. 

Not only has Zinnebir made its name as the beer of Brussels, but the beer and the brewery also acted as a role models for other brewers. The brewery had a huge influence on the craft beer movement in the city and many people followed their footsteps, which brought Brussels other amazing craft beer breweries like the Brussels Beer Project, No Science, Beerstorming and many others. 

Lastly, the beer is the flagship beer of the brewery and their best seller. The locals can also ask for Zinnebir in any beer bar they visit. We can confirm the Zinnebir popularity, as some of our clients even order a whole beer box of Zinnebir regularly. No one can get enough of that beer! 

What else is there to know about Zinnebir?

• Where is Zinnebir beer brewed? 

Though the brewing process started in a basement, Zinnebir has now moved to de la Senne brewery, which is located in Brussels near the cultural space Tour & Taxis. 

• What does the Zinnebir beer label mean?

The Zinnebir label illustrates the Brussels city skyline, the buildings and the Senne river flowing through the city with a big bright sun behind it all. The label uses warm and happy colours such as yellow and green. It gives you a feeling like Brussels is a calm, orderly city, though there can be some crazy traffic and full of vibrant events. Despite the messiness, it all still functions in harmony. 
 

• How to serve Zinnebir and which beer glass to use?

Zinnebir is best served in a tulip beer glass, which helps to release the exciting aromas that the beer has. The minimum serving temperature is 5 degrees celsius. 

• What are the ingredients of Zinnebir?

The Zinnebir ingredients are water, hops, yeast, barley malt, and fermentable sugar.

• What food goes well with Zinnebir?

Zinnebir beer goes very well with cheese platters or cheesy dishes. It is especially good with creamy cheeses like cottage cheese or goat cheese. The bitterness of the beer and the creaminess of the cheese make a perfect match. Zinnebir also goes well with seafood. 

• What are the other beers by de la Senne brewery?

Some people argue that Zinnebir is not even the best beer in the brewery and favour the younger sister, Taras Boulba. The beer has a similar fruity and spicy taste, but more bitterness and it is an easy to drink beer with lower alcohol content. In the end, it is a question of personal taste. After all, without Zinnebir, there would not be a Taras Boulba. The brewers needed a change from Zinnebir and something lighter to drink.  

Besides Taras Boulba, the brewery also has other famous beers like the Jambe de Bois, Bruxellensis, Stouterik and Saison du Meyboom. 

Thirsty for Zinnebir? Then don’t hesitate and add the beer to the cart. Or even get a full beer box like some of our clients do! You may also find Zinnebir in our beer subscription boxes and discover it next to many other delicious beers. 

Taras Boulba is a light lager, generously hopped with the finest aromatic hops, giving it a very refreshing character and a fragrance reminiscent of citrus. The nose offers delicate aromas of spices, malt, hops and lemon. You can even smell slight notes of cookies, caramel and a bit of vanilla. Taras Boulba has a blonde colour with white foam. In the mouth, you can feel the bitterness present. You can also taste notes of caramel and lemon. It is a beer full of character but also thirst-quenching and refreshing. The finale of the beer is dry. 

Though Taras Boulba has now become many people's favourite beer, it had a rough start. First, Taras Boulba beer was created only for the brewers and their friends. The brewers claimed that they were only drinking their other famous beer, the Zinnebir, and they needed something lighter. Thus, Taras Boulba was born. After only drinking it by themselves, the brewers decided to start selling Taras Boulba locally. The problem was that the bitter beers had not yet made their name in Belgium. Only De Ranke brewery, whose niche is bitter beers, was in the market. The brewers had to fight hard and talk a lot with local beer bars and pubs to get their beer out. Finally, their beer has not only become popular locally but also internationally. 

Like Taras Boulba, all the beers of brewery de la Senne are brewed in a traditional way: unfiltered, unpasteurized and without additives.

Taras Boulba is also the favourite beer of Beercrush creator Florian. 

History and origin of the Taras Boulba beer name. 

The name Taras Boulba refers to a novel written by Nikolai Gogol. The novel is the story of Taras Boulba, who goes with his two sons to war against the Polish. One of the sons is in love with a Polish girl. The son helps the girl get some food during the war. Once Taras finds out about this, he kills his son. The brewers use this as a reference to the struggle between Flemings and Walloons in Belgium. 

Want to know more about Taras Boulba beer? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions answered:

• What does the Taras Boulba beer label mean?

The Taras Boulba beer label is also related to the novel by Nikolai Gogol. On the label, you can see two men in front of a circus. A father and a son. The father is angry and holding a big barrel above his head, ready to throw it at his son while yelling "Smeirlap!". There is a comment on the label in the Brussels dialect. The comment states: "Behold, Taras Boulba is furiously angry. His son has married a Walloon!" The label is an interpretation of the novel, but with a Belgian twist reflecting the complicated relationship between Walloons and Flemings. 

• Where is Taras Boulba beer brewed?

Brewery de la Senne is located in Brussels near Tour & Taxis between Laeken and Molenbeek neighbourhood. Tour & Taxis is an old industrial site made up mostly of warehouses that now has been turned into a cultural site. Brewery de la Senne has their brewing spot and a bar there. You are always welcome to degustate their beers.

• What are the ingredients of Taras Boulba beer?

Taras Boulba is made of water, malted barley, noble hops, yeast and fermentable sugar. 

• How to serve Taras Boulba beer?

It is best to use a tulip-shaped beer glass for serving Taras Boulba beer. The tulip-shaped glass is perfect for IPA beers or hoppy beers as it allows the drinker to swirl the beer around the glass and release the full aromas. The ideal serving temperature is 5 degrees celsius. 

• What are other similar beers to Taras Boulba?

If you like hoppy beers, you should see our IPA beer collection. 

• Is Taras Boulba gluten-free?

No, Taras Boulba is not gluten-free. You can find a large variety of gluten-free beers available from brasserie 28. 

• What are some other beers brewed by la Senne brewery?

Some other famous craft beers by the Senne brewery are Zinnebir, Bruxellensis, Jambe de Bois, Stouterik and Saison du Meyboom, among many others.

Photo : brasserie de la Senne.

Want to buy Taras Boulba beer online? All you need to do is add the beer to the cart! You may also find Taras Boulba in our Belgian or Brussels beer boxes or in our monthly beer subscription boxes. 

Jambe-de-Bois is balanced but generously hopped Triple. It is a powerful and full-bodied beer and most likely the bitterest Triple beer in Belgium. 

When you pour Jambe de Bois into your beer glass, you’ll notice a beautiful blonde colour beer with golden reflections filling the glass. It has a creamy, firm, white head. 

On the nose, the hops aromas dominate but are accompanied by orange, citrus, grass and banana. You will also notice the aromas of fermentation and another fruity aroma that resembles a pear. The floral, honeyed sweetness of malts and spicy notes appear as well. 

The beer flavours are unique. In the mouth, you will experience a balance of bitterness and fruitiness. A ripe banana taste can be noticed. Malt is another dominant taste. The strong alcohol content gives it roundness and the absence of residual sugars makes the finish hoppy and bitter. 

De la Senne brewery is known for its quality beers and has created some true gems. Jambe-de-Bois is a unique triple and should not be missed when degustating Belgian beers. 
 

Story of Jambe-de-Bois name

The Senne Brewery gives tribute to the Belgian revolution and more specifically a Belgian soldier Jean-Joseph Charlier with this beer. Jean-Joseph fought in Napoleon’s army and lost his leg. His new wooden leg did not stop him. Later, in 1830, Jean-Joseph was a cannoneer during the Belgian Revolution against the Netherlands. 

What else can we know about Jambe-de-Bois beer?

What’s on the Jambe-de-Bois beer label? 

The beer label is related to the story of the beer name and is dedicated to the Belgian revolution. The illustration shows someone with a wooden leg sitting on a cannon. That would be Jean-Joseph Charlier! The label also used to state “No Dutchman was hurt in the making of this beer,” while now it reads Belgian Revolution Triple. 

Where is Jambe-de-Bois brewed?

De la Senne brewery is located in Brussels in the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean area. 

How to serve Jambe-de-Bois beer?

The best serving temperature is 8 degrees celsius. It is best to use a tulip-shaped glass that can get the hoppy aromas out. Pour the beer slowly into a glass so it can form a nice foamy head. 

What are the ingredients of Jambe-de-Bois beer?

The beer contains barley malt, sugar, hops, yeast and water. 

How bitter is Jambe-de-Bois beer? 

It is quite a bitter triple with an IBU of 49. Triple beers' IBU range is usually between 20-45. 

Is Jambe-de-Bois gluten free?

No, it is not gluten-free. But we do have a gluten-free beer collection in our catalogue.

What are some other beers by de la Senne brewery?

De la Senne is one of the best craft beer breweries in Brussels and has many other great beers to offer. You should also try their Zinnebir, Taras Boulba, Bruxellensis, Saison du Meyboom and Stouterik. 

Thirsty for Jambe-de-Bois? Then add the beer to the cart! You can also find this beer in our Brussels beer box or discover it in our monthly beer subscription. 

Very dry spelled season with the addition of brettanomyces yeast.