Leffe Blonde: Wheat Beer Or Not?

Leffe Blonde is a Belgian beer brand that originated in the 12th-century Abbey Notre Dame de Leffe, located in southern Belgium. It is now owned by InBev Belgium, the European arm of the global brewery giant, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Leffe Blonde is an authentic blond abbey beer with a hint of bitterness and is often described as having a wheat taste. However, its ingredients are listed as pale malt, hops, yeast, and water, and it is classified as a Belgian blonde ale.

Leffe Blonde is an authentic blonde abbey beer with a slight bitterness

Leffe Blonde is a great choice to enhance the taste of various dishes. It pairs well with strong-flavoured first courses, gourmet pizzas, mixed fried foods, red meats, shellfish, aged or smoked semi-hard cheeses, cheesecakes, and desserts with cream or chocolate.

The history of Leffe Blonde dates back centuries. The abbey of Leffe, founded in 1152 on the Meuse River in Namur, Belgium, brewed ales starting in 1240. However, the brewery faced challenges over the years due to natural disasters and political upheaval. In 1952, Father Abbot Nys and brewer Albert Lootvoet revived beer production, bringing a brown ale to market. Today, Leffe Blonde is brewed at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven, and royalties are still paid to the abbey.

Leffe Blonde has gained recognition and a dedicated following worldwide. Sales of Leffe Blonde in Tesco, for example, rose by 66% in a year, outpacing traditional bestsellers. Its popularity is attributed to its unique flavour profile, with hints of quince, gooseberry, bitter cherry, cloves, and nutmeg.

It is brewed according to the original recipe set down by monks in the 1200s

Leffe Blonde is an authentic blond abbey beer with a slight hint of bitterness. It is delicate but characteristic, giving an extra touch of flavour to simple dishes and lightly accompanying fried foods. It is a smooth Belgian abbey-style ale—not overly complex, evenly balanced, and light enough to be thirst-quenching. It is soft on the palate, gently sweet, with notes of honeyed vanilla and gentle fruit (citrus, banana, melon, currant) with an easy-going finish.

Leffe Blonde is brewed according to the original recipe set down by monks in the 1200s. The Leffe history has its origin in Notre-Dame de Leffe, an abbey of Premonstratensian canons founded in 1152. The Premonstratensian canonical Norbertines, like monks, live in community and according to certain rules. They have a very open vision and like to engage with the people around them. That is why, since the foundation of the abbey, the Norbertines were known for the special attention they paid to welcoming guests and pilgrims.

The canons started to brew beer at Leffe in 1240. Guests and travellers could quench their thirst with a healthy and refreshing drink. It was, in fact, a difficult period: the numerous epidemics that plagued Europe at the time made drinking water unsafe. Fortunately, an ideal solution emerged: brewing beer. During the brewing process, the boiling temperature killed the microbes, which made beer safe to drink. The quality of water has improved since then, but the brewing of beer has remained a tradition, also for the Norbertines in Leffe.

In 1952, Father Abbot Nys and brewer Albert Lootvoet decided to revive the brewing tradition of the Abbey. Over the years, a wide range of Leffe beers was developed and served to beer lovers. Today, AB-InBev is taking over this task, to continue the tradition of Leffe beer, which has been brewed with passion since 1240.

Leffe Blonde is a top-fermented beer, one of five in the Leffe brand

Leffe Blonde is a top-fermented beer, one of five beers in the Leffe brand. It is an authentic blond abbey beer with a slight hint of bitterness. It is delicate but characteristic and pairs well with simple dishes and fried foods. It has a clear blond colour in the glass and a delicate, snowy-white head. The beer is served in an elegant, engraved chalice on a tall stem, with a bowl-like shape that allows the aromas and flavours to develop fully. The letter ‘L’, engraved at the bottom of the glass, helps the beer to continue to produce bubbles, ensuring that the head remains for longer.

Leffe Blonde is fragrant, with a slight aroma of cloves, and a mild, full, and fruity taste with a hint of bitter oranges. It also has zesty notes of cloves and vanilla, with a powerful, dry finish and a zesty undercurrent. The beer is ideal as an aperitif and can be paired with salads, (smoked) ham, fried or grilled beef, pork, medallion of veal, lamb, Dover sole, whiting, trout, chicken, quail, sweet-and-sour dishes, and cheeses with a white rind, such as Camembert, Brie, Brillat-Savarin, or Saint-Marcellin. The bottled beer has a shelf life of two years, while the barrelled beer will keep for 12 months.

Leffe Blonde has an alcohol content of 6.6% and is recommended to be served at a temperature of 5°C. It is brewed with water, yeast, malt, and hops. The brand Leffe is owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery giant. The beers are brewed at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven.

Sales of Leffe Blonde in Tesco rose by 66% in one year

Leffe is a beer brand owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery giant. Leffe Blonde is an authentic blond abbey beer with a slight hint of bitterness. It is delicate but characteristic, giving an extra touch of flavor to simple dishes and lightly accompanying fried foods. It has an alcoholic content of 6.6%, should be served cold at 5°C, and has a sunny golden color.

The rise in Leffe Blonde sales reflects a broader trend toward Belgian and German wheat beers and other continental specialties in the UK market. According to research analysts AC Nielsen, sales of specialty products like wheat beers rose by 30% in the past year, while real ales saw a decline. This shift in consumer preferences has prompted Tesco to introduce an own-brand wheat beer to its "Finest" range.

Leffe Blonde's success at Tesco can also be attributed to its unique characteristics as an abbey beer. Brewed according to strict regulations and the original recipe set down by monks, Leffe Blonde offers hints of quince, gooseberry, bitter cherry, cloves, and nutmeg, providing a sophisticated drinking experience that appeals to those seeking more complex and flavorful brews.

While Leffe Blonde has seen remarkable sales growth at Tesco, some traditional beer enthusiasts in Britain have expressed their desire for the supermarket to stock more local and homegrown ales. Representatives from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) suggested that Tesco should source beer locally, ensuring that stores in specific regions offer beers from nearby breweries.

Leffe Blonde is best served cold at 5°C

Leffe Blonde is a Belgian abbey beer with a hint of bitterness and a subtle banana taste, alongside cloves and vanilla. It is best served cold at 5°C.

Leffe Blonde is a top-fermented beer, which means that it is fermented at a relatively high temperature, usually between 15°C and 25°C. This high fermentation temperature gives the beer its characteristic fruity and spicy flavours. However, despite being fermented at a higher temperature, Leffe Blonde is best enjoyed when served cold.

The recommended serving temperature of 5°C is the ideal temperature to enhance the beer's unique flavour profile. Serving Leffe Blonde at this temperature ensures a perfect harmony of sweet bitterness with notes of vanilla and clove. This temperature also brings out the beer's floral and spicy aromas, with hints of orange peel and toasted malt.

Drinking Leffe Blonde at 5°C is the optimal way to savour and appreciate its complex and delicate characteristics. This serving temperature elevates the drinking experience, making it the perfect accompaniment to simple dishes and fried foods. It pairs exceptionally well with abbey cheese, St. Jacques scallops, and crème brûlée.

Leffe Blonde is a versatile and refined beer that can complement a variety of culinary creations. Its recommended serving temperature of 5°C highlights its ability to enhance different tastes and aromas, making it a truly exceptional choice for beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

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