According to Nation’s Restaurant News, Belgian beers of all brands and sizes are on the rise, despite bad economic times. Purveyors of these brews think that the reasoning behind it is perceived value-certain Belgian breweries are finding it difficult to keep up with demand, with sales growing in the high single or double digits.
“When economic times are bad, people make a value judgment as to what is worth their money, and I think that despite their generally higher price, unique Belgian beers are still seen as worth it,” said Michael Roper, owner of the Hopleaf, a Chicago bar and restaurant featuring beer-friendly cuisine.
The biggest draws of Belgian beers is the “ceremony” that comes with them, through large bottles and elegant glasses that they are served in.
“If you’re making a special product, it deserves a special glass,” said Roper. Imagine ordering a fine bottle of Bordeaux and it being served in a plastic juice glass-it would destroy the sense of the occasion. Belgian beer glasses create that sense of occasion.”
