Beer Name : Affligem Blonde,
Manufacturer : Affligem,
Manufacturer : Affligem,
Origin : Opwijk, Belgium,
Company founded in : 1074,
Beer Type : Belgian Ale,
SRM : 15,
Abv : 6.7%,
IBU : 15,
About the Beer:
Belgian beers to me are the Holy Grail of beers. Affligem is an exquisite golden-blonde beer with slight pearlised and a compact, creamy head of froth. A mild malty aroma along with intense aromas of ripe fruit and hint of vanilla reach the nose. The initial taste is slightly sweet with nuances of stone fruits (apricots, peaches) and citrus. This is emphasized by the in- bottle re-fermentation, that evolves towards a pleasantly refreshing bitterness. A richly layered beer that tastes full in the mouth. As the beer hits the back of the throat, there is a drying effect on the front and the tongue leaving a slightly astringent feeling and then the taste of clean hop bitterness to balance the presentation. After effect has a bit of leftover dryness and the hints of malt aroma and Belgian yeast are left on the tongue. It is exquisitely balanced in view of its high alcohol content. A long, slightly bitter finish.
It is a treat to enjoy an excellent Belgian Pale Ale, extremely drinkable and complex enough to be interesting but not overbearing. I guess nearly 940+ years of brewing experience makes that possible.
My Own Rating:
Aroma : 9/10
Appearance : 8/10
Taste : 8/10
Palate : 8/10
Palate : 8/10
Overall : 8/10
History of the Brewery:
The abbey of Affligem was built around 1074. The label “anno 1074” on the Affligem beer bottle is based on the foundation history. The brand name is used under licence from the monks of Affligem, by the Op-Ale brewery in the neighbouring village of Opwijk. The brewery is now owned by Heineken International, who have renamed it “The Affligem Brewery” and market their beers internationally.
The brewery produces a range of beers, including Affligem Blonde, a 6.8% pale ale; Affligem Dubbel, a 7% dubbel, Affligem Tripel, a 9.5% tripel and Affligem Patersvat, a 6.8% belgian ale. The year is 1074. In a time of kings, conflict and cruelty, six Belgian knights decide to exchange their swords for monk robes and dedicate their lives to peace. Believing in the dignity of work, the repentant knights establish a monastic order under the adage ‘Felix Concordia’, meaning happy in harmony. Their first task? To build an abbey in the Belgian town of Affligem. Ten years later, the battle – scarred monks complete building of their abbey. They immediately set out to brew the one beverage safer to drink than medieval water, i.e. Ale. But not just any ale. Behind the hallowed walls of their newly built abbey, the monks begin to brew Affligem beer.
The recipe for the Affligem abbey beers is based on the original Formula “Antiqua Renovata”, an abbey recipe dating back to the middle ages. The Affligem abbey beers are brewed using the highest quality summer-barley malt and aroma hops. An in-house yeast is the ‘soul’ of this beer.
The fermentation process produces esters that give an impression of tropical fruits. Moreover, all Affligem abbey beers re-ferment in the bottle. A 14 days’ stay in the warm room ensures that the brew matures into a complex layered beers. The result? A strong top-fermented beer, blond to amber in colour with a beautiful balance between hops and malt.
Affligem Blonde has won the following list of awards.
1. Gold in World Beer Awards: World’s Best Pale Beer 2016
2. Gold in World Beer Awards: World’s Best Style winner 2016
3. Gold in World Beer Awards: Belgium Winner 2016
4. Silver medal in Brussels Beer Challenge 2015
5. Bronze Award in European Beer Star Awards 2014
6. Gold Award in European Beer Star Awards 2012
7. Bronze Award in International Beer Challenge 2011
8. Silver Award in International Brewing Awards 2011
