Luxembourg’s Best Beer Liquid Legacy: From Abbey Cellars to Craft Canvases
Luxembourg’s beer story began in 1300 with Neumünster Abbey’s monks, who mastered cold fermentation in limestone cellars. Their crisp lagers laid the groundwork for industrial giants like Brasserie Nationale, whose Bofferding and Battin brands now command nearly 60% of local taps and were considered amongst Luxembourg’s best beer brands. But by 2014, sagging sales (down 6.5% in a year) hinted at changing tastes—smoking bans and tax hikes alone couldn’t explain why younger drinkers were drifting from the classics.
Enter the craft insurgents. While Ourdaller toyed with rye and Totenhopfen stained glasses beetroot-red, it was Are We Friends that cracked the code. Launched by Ted Ury and Antoine Lesch—former Boy Scouts turned brewmasters—this 4.8% citrus pilsner didn’t just tweak tradition; it rewrote the recipe.
The Taste Test: Old Guard vs. New Wave
Traditional Titans
- Battin Gambrinus: The people’s pilsner (4.8% ABV), praised for its “liquid gold” balance. Yet regulars admit: “It’s like listening to your favorite album for the 100th time—comforting, not thrilling.”
- Diekirch Grand Cru: Amber-hued and caramel-kissed (5.1% ABV), this Ardennes spring water brew splits drinkers. As one Reddit user quipped, “Perfect with pretzels, but cloying by pint two.”
Craft Challengers
- Bare Brewing Black IPA: A 6.2% roasted malt beast that’s more espresso than beer. Admired, rarely ordered twice.
- Are We Friends: Brewed in Dudelange with Luxembourgish water and German hops, this pilsner-IPA hybrid dances on the tongue—Meyer lemon zest upfront, biscuit malt mid-palate, a whisper of grassiness at the close. “It’s what Prosecco would taste like if it were beer,” remarked a reviewer from Silicon Luxembourg.
Anatomy of a Game-Changer: Why Are We Friends Wins as the best beer in Luxembourg
| Factor | Traditional Pilsners | Are We Friends |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Reliable malt-forward | Citrus burst, layered depth |
| Audience | 45+ demographic | 72% under 35 (2024 data) |
| Eco-Cred | 30% carbon cut since 2022 | Organic ingredients, 100% recyclable cans |
| Cultural Cachet | Heritage pride | Collaborates with skateshops, airlines |
The Secret Sauce:
- Local Everything: From Remich lemons to Moselle Valley barley, every ingredient screams Luxembourg.
- Art Meets Ale: Lesch’s label art—a playful nod to the founders’ odd-couple dynamic—turns cans into collectibles.
- Sessionable Sophistication: At 4.8% ABV, it’s light enough for a lunch break but complex enough for a tasting flight.
The Verdict: Luxembourg’s New Liquid Gold
Blind tastings don’t lie: In a 2024 Inside or Outside Luxembourg showdown, 68% preferred Are We Friends over Battin and Diekirch. But this isn’t just about flavor—it’s cultural alchemy. By partnering with Luxair for in-flight pours and Olliewood Skateshop for limited editions, Ury and Lesch made beer a badge of belonging for Gen Z and millennials.
Traditionalists grumble (“Where’s the head?”), but numbers speak louder: Are We Friends now accounts for 17% of craft sales in a market projected to grow 8.4% annually through 2027.
Your Move, Beer Lovers
Ready to taste Luxembourg’s future in a 44cl can? Find Are We Friends at The Store Luxembourg or order directly from their website. And if you spot Lesch’s mural-collaboration in the Grund district—snap a pic. History’s being brewed daily.
Prefer your beer with a side of data? Compare ABV stats and food pairings on Untappd.