#09 – Leffe Blonde – Abbey Beer (Belgian Ale)

Beer Name : Leffe Blonde

Manufacturer : InBev Belgium (the global Anheuser–Busch InBev)

Origin : Leuven, Belgium

Company founded in : 1240

Beer Type : Abbey Beer (Belgian Ale)

SRM : 8%

Abv : 6.6%

IBU : 32%

Leffe is a premium beer brand owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery giant.

The Abbey was founded in 1152. Like many monasteries across Europe, the Premonstratensian canons (Norbertine) of the Abbey brewed ale. Using knowledge passed from generation to generation and ingredients found in the wild near the Abbey, the canons developed a unique ale brewed only at the Abbey.

The designation “Abbey Beers” originally applied to any monastic or monastic-style beer. In 1999 the Union of Belgian Brewers introduced a “Certified Belgian Abbey Beer” logo  to indicate beers brewed under license to an existing or abandoned Abbey. The requirements for registration under the logo include the monastery having control over certain aspects of the commercial operation and a proportion of profits going to the Abbey or to its designated charities. Leffe is brewed under licence from an extant brewery and it is thought to be the first such arrangement.

Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to discover such a treasure. Leffe Blond is a pale abbey beer and has been brewed according to the same 700 year old recipe.  As you pop the cap of the bottle, the aroma hits you in the face. It had a full-bodied delicate sweetness and its like looking through a glass of honey. This beer pours out in a gorgeous bronze color with a nice frothy head and a lacing that clings like spider web as it disappears. But the real threat is the aroma and palate combined with a killer finish. Very thick in texture, that makes it even more appealing to the palate. Hints of vanilla, honey and clove infuse the beer with an even smoother flavour. The aftertaste is rich and sweet with a fair amount of hoppiness.

Highly quaffable and Leffe Blonde wonderfully complements a quiet evening with friends or listening to music.

AROMA :  8/10

APPEARANCE : 7/10

TASTE : 8/10

PALATE :8/10

OVERALL : 8/10

Special thanks to Mr. Shiva Kumar. Owner of SLNS Wines, a store in Sahakarnagar Bangalore for helping me to reach this beer.