Back To Belgians: Leffe Blonde Ale

When you get home from work and crave a beer, nothing tastes better than the first few sips. In fact, Leffe has just filled today's void. The past few months I have been on a bit of a beer drought, drinking only several beers here and there - even on St. Patrick's Day. Can you believe that?

Sure, my normal fare out at the bar would disgust you all - Bud Light is frequented, Blue Moon is a common pleaser, and random Dirty Hoe's (Hoegaarten & frambois) are sometimes visited. But when a long drought of not only beer has occured, but Belgian beer particularly, my taste buds get excited.

Leffe could staunch your thirst for that home-from-work beer; It really does it so well. A murky complexion is she and hardly any bitter taste can be found in this blonde beer. If you're not sure why its called "Leffe", well that due in part to the Abbey it is named after: Notre Dame de Leffe. Sure, if you Wikipedia Leffe beer, you may have actually realized you've stepped on a monster of a beer dating back to 1152. Through floods, The French Revolution and many other instances, the brewery has been destroyed, rebuilt, then destroyed again only to have the faithful come back. For what reason? Beer is my only likely answer here.

Let's get down to the beer itself. I could easily see this one going well with some thick cheese and heavy roast beef since the beer itself lends quite a bit of flavor. Your mouth will be watering for some more before you've realized you blew through a bottle in no time flat. There's a sudsy feeling after each sip. At the end of the bottle, you might trick yourself into thinking there in fact is some bitterness to this one, but alas a friendly bitterness; not one to drive you out of town looking for another beer.

I would highly recommend this beer to anyone I know, particularly those dedicated to Belgian beers. Although if you've been a fan of Belgians, you most likely know about this. So let this be a reminder to you - go out and buy some Leffe. You haven't had it for a while and your taste buds will thank you for it. 8.4 / 10!

Affligem Blond

This beer is incredible. Time for a Cold one and I went to Total wine today to pick out some sampler beers. I was lucky enough to get this one. Unfreakinreal, this stuff. It's got the Belgian taste, like you would expect. But, it's got that extra something that you can't put your finger on that makes this beer so good. It had the Belgian blond taste plus some slight sparkle, champagne-like. It was light and refreshing and flavorful and delicious all in one bottle, all in one sip. Time for a Cold One and I were talking, wishful thinking-style, about going to Belgium on a trip to check out some of the Abbeys. Well, I think I found the spot where I'd be parked for the duration of the trip. Whoever is in charge of this brewery, whoever has been in charge since 1074AD, deserves a raise. Seriously, this stuff is quality in a bottle. I'd give it 12 out of 10 stars!

I'll get back later about how much a case of this stuff costs. I'm betting it's pretty pricey, maybe in the 80 dollar range. But, with the right company, for the right occasion...

Gouden Carolus Tripel

This is a Belgian Blonde Ale from a Belgian brewery that's been around since 1369. That's 123 years BEFRORE Columbus "discovered" the "new" world. When I saw that date on the bottle, well, you know the stakes are high for this brewery. Even a simplteon taster like me would have stratosphere-level expectations for a brewery around long enough not to have any excuses for a perfectly crafted beer. A pretty good beer, for sure. Here's the tale of the tape: smooth and crisp, a little bubbly, more malty than hop tasting, 9% abv, cloudy-golden in color. Given the exorbitant price, I doubt I'd purchase this beer again. Unless I'm in a bar having one with dinner. Unless Jake buys me a case for my birthday. But such is the beauty of Total Wine: I only had to buy one. And while it was a good beer, certainly in the upper-echelon of beers, I don't know if I could justify getting it again when there are A) plenty of other beers to try, and B) beers that are just as good if not better for 30 bucks less.

ps: Does that beer goggles guy still write on this blog?