Blonde or brunette? Which do you prefer?
Gentleman prefer blondes, or so the saying goes. When beer is blonde, however, there are such wide variations in character and taste that a beer drinker really has no idea what to expect until the cap is popped and brew is sampled. One blonde beer that makes me more fully appreciate brunettes is Leffe Blonde, a Belgian abbey pale ale.
Beer Bio:
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Alcohol Level: 6.6 percent by volume
Calories: 200 per 12 oz. serving
Carbs: 17 grams
Leffe Blonde offers a nice appearance. Pouring from the bottle, the beer is light/medium straw in color with a body that is completely clear. The nose on this brew offers hints of yeast, spice, banana, and green apple. The foam level is nice and it holds itself together longer than the average mainstream American lager.
Leffe Blonde offers a taste that emphasizes the favor of yeast. Flavors of bubblegum and clove can be detected in each sip, and there is a certain bready character. A spicy zing at the end attempts to dry out the flavor, but it remains sweet overall and there is a noticeable alcohol flavor in the finish.
Leffe Blonde certainly isn’t bad overall, but I can’t say that I go for this taste combination and mouthfeel. The flavors are memorable, but the mouthfeel is unsual. The beer combines a yeasty character with spice and an alcoholic finish, making for an unusual taste experience. As I sampled this beer, I almost hesitated to take another sip, not because the taste was necessarily bad, but because I didn’t want to deal with that unusual mouthfeel.
Leffe Blonde is part of Anheuser- Busch InBev and thanks to the marketing clout of its parent company, it continues to gain greater exposure. It is common to find this beer in ordinary grocery stores and its sales are likely to continue to increase, thanks to the marketing efforts of the parent business.
Leffe Blonde is, overall, a decent, respectable beer and a good choice when you crave the taste of a Belgian brew but cannot find anything else to buy. It cannot compare to some of the best Belgian beer, but it has enough good qualities to consider it for future purchase.
Rating: 6 Cheers out of 10
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