Affligem Blond - Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem

AtrumAnimus

Texas

4.93/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a damn good brew. I guess 900+ years of brewing experience makes that possible? ;-)

Anyway this pours more of an amber than a blonde. the head is thick and long lasting and creamier than shaving cream. There is a yeasty/nutty nose in this one with barely detectable hops. The taste is very complex with sweet and bitter and spice all mingled around the palate. The hops are more potent in the beginning and the sweet malt comes last. This is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2003 12:39:09 | More by AtrumAnimus

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A delicious ale with a golden color that has a nice alcoholic punch to it..Belgian lace throughout the glass and a perfect blend of spices and fruitiness make this one of the best Blonde Belgians in the world. A treat to enjoy and very drinkable but beware of the alcohol it does creep up on you.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2003 21:36:29 | More by bierman2000

SoonerNY

New York

4.88/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First impression was the carbonation. The great Belgian style zest followed quickly but the carbonation definitely jumped at me. It brought me back to a visit to Amsterdam, walking through the streets looking for good beer and usually veering towards pubs with Belgian beer signs. An excellent brew. Next stop Belgium.

Appearance is hazy yellow with noticeable yeast and a fine, foamy lace.
Smell is mostly fruit and honey with a bit of yeast. It's very inviting, hinting at the great taste to follow.
The taste is VERY balanced. Lightly sweet and bitter, with spice that doesn't overwhelm. A bit of a tart finish and a hint of alcohol with lingering hops. Nice.
Mouthfeel is full of carbonation at first but mellower and lighter after resting.
Drinkability is way up there. Slowly and delicously. I'll keep a few in the beer fridge.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2009 04:20:32 | More by SoonerNY

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Golden cloudy appearance with lots of foamy head. Smell is very sweet and floral, picked up banana's.

Taste is very sweet, almost a candy taste and malty. Also picked up honey, pepper and various fruit (banana, apple). Excellent combination of tastes. Medium/creamy body with excellent carbonation. Aftertaste is spicy, medicinal and boozy; but not to much so.

Wow, I am impressed by this beer. The taste is powerful, but overwhelmingly good. If you can find this gem, don't pass the opportunity to drink it.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 04:01:51 | More by CrazyMike

BeerManDan

California

4.78/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A rich golden color with heavy tight creamy looking foam that cling's to the sides of the glass. Complex in flavor with a beautiful balance of malts and hops to bring out the great flavor with just a bit of bitterness. It was creamy smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. Wow, what a beer. This beer was pricy, but worth it!

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2002 07:20:52 | More by BeerManDan

josefnewsong

New York

4.75/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the best blonds out there. I didn't always but now love this style. Here goes:

A - beautiful golden blond color with a substantial amount of thick creamy/frothy head. Sediments in abundance. Looks kingly
S - sweet citrusy smell with belgian yeast in the back
T - mostly citrus fruitiness with some mild spice and yeast. great belgian flavor
M - smooth, medium-bodied, wet creamy finish
D - soooo drinkable. almost thirst-quenching

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 04:08:34 | More by josefnewsong

MadScientist

New York

4.73/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Medium gold and very clear with a creamy white head that leave a good bit of lacing on the glass.
S: The first whiff smells like a good German Pilsner with a spicy hop aroma and a soft, sweet pilsner malt aroma. There is a touch of honey and a moderately-light perfume alcohol aroma. Moderately-light orange aroma come through as well.
T: There is a moderate pilsner malt sweetness initially thought it finish fairly dry. The hops and alcohol team up to give a medium bitter balance to the sweetness. The spicy hops flavor is moderately-low.
M: Medium bodied with a pretty high level of carbonation that gives a bubbly sensation on the palate.
O: A very enjoy belgian with a decent amount of bitterness, some sweetness and a dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 00:39:03 | More by MadScientist

MiScusi

California

4.72/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's in Sierra Madre, CA. Served in an affligem chalice. Bright golden with a nice white fluffy head. Aroma was soft and light malty. The taste combined a soft earthiness with a light sweetness. The overall impression I got from it was such a smooth and drinkable light bodied ale. This might be exactly what I am looking for in a Belgain Blonde ale that isn't too high in alcohol content. So drinkable and a great beer to relax with.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2007 22:51:10 | More by MiScusi

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

My favorite "blonde"! What a beer! Pours with a thick head...almost like whipped cream. Nice subdued flowery nose, goes down too easy, very deceptive when you consider the alcoholic strength about 7% I think. Another fine addition to my beer aging cellar.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2001 20:30:48 | More by beerluvr

Toddv29424

District of Columbia

4.7/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On a funny note, my mother took one sip of this beer straight from the bottle and said "ew! That is the closest thing to cough syrup I've ever had!" The smell and taste of this beer is just what a Blonde should be. The smell is sweet like candy and sugar, and the taste is similar. There is a slight acidic lemony taste to it which makes it really easy to drink. But its also very light, there is no overwhelming effervessing going on in my mouth. A very traditional Blond (since 1077)) and a taste that has sure lasted.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2006 02:57:26 | More by Toddv29424

boblog

Oklahoma

4.7/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Belgian beers to me are the Holy Grail of beers (much like Czech lagers). This is no exception. My friend went to France and brought me back two of these lovely beers. I drank both on separate occasions. The first time I poured it I noticed its very lovely golden color. It appearance was beautiful compared to most beers you see in the states. I then noticed its lovely smell, a great light appetizing Belgian scent. The taste was excellent. Good mouthfeel as well. Much better than 90% of beers I have sampled. One of my personal favorites. I wish America made beer like this.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2006 08:29:51 | More by boblog

Carlton1964

New York

4.7/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great brew. About 2" of foam....smelled great and tasted better. Has a nice milky feel in mouth....can say enough about this beer. First time I ever had it....won't be the last! Can't wait to pick up some more. Looks a little weird when you first pour it, has sentiment floating around....but I couldn't care less after drinking it.
Oh yeah....very nice lacing too!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 00:49:48 | More by Carlton1964

skeetermoses

Oklahoma

4.58/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer, I have been trying to find this beer ever since I had it. I have to go to texas in order to get this I can never find it. I typically go to Specs in order to get this beer, but they usually don't have it. They usually have the seasonal beer instead. I really love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 03:50:20 | More by skeetermoses

JudgeRoughneck

Louisiana

4.55/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Clear glowing gold with thick creamy head that leaves a thin lace.

AROMA- Super fresh hey, honey, pear, apple, maybe a very subtle hint of banana...soft, floral, perfumey...devine.

FLAVOR- Fresh cracker malt base with floral and spicy aromatics on the top end. Hints of anise, vanilla, and rose ride a long, dry, lightly bitter finish. This beer is superb and I can tell I got a really fresh bottle somehow. It is extremely subtle and balanced. Very pretty. Very bright. Exceptional. A slight hint of bubblegum pops out with warmth.

Mouthfeel-Medium-light bodied, fluffy, warming.

OVERALL- One of the most drinakable strong blonde / tripels I've ever had. Very balanced and refined. I'm impressed.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 02:59:42 | More by JudgeRoughneck

RushLimbmalt

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful hazy golden color and has a huge head that sticks around for as long as there is beer in your glass. The aroma is spicy and yeasty and very malty. An aroma one could get lost in... The taste is every bit as good, spicy, malty and yeasty... As good as any Belgian Blonde. This is one smooth drinking bier and one that has found a home in my refrigerator.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2005 09:59:33 | More by RushLimbmalt

Morris729

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear golden amber color with a tall pillowy white head that dissipates in chucks leaving a thick and rocky lace that loves to cling to the sides of the glass. Nose is sweet and fruity with notes of yeast, honey, and spice. Medium in body and quite smooth. Taste is sweet honey malts and candied fruit followed by some nutty yeasts and some peppery notes. Some bitter hops and a bit of alcohol are present in the finish. An incredible brew and one of the best blonde ales on the market.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2003 15:59:18 | More by Morris729

avalon07

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a bright amber appearance, with a cloudy visual texture. The half inch head stayed around for just the right amount of time.

Fruity smell, along with some breads. Had a very pleasant aroma.

You can really taste the peaches and Belgian yeast when you drink this one. It has a very complex flavor, but never overdoes it.

It has a vibrant mouthfeel with a high carbonation rate. Very prickly.

The Blond is a highly drinkable beer that goes down pretty easy. Granted, I have a weakness for a lot of Belgian beers, but this is definitely a excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 22:35:34 | More by avalon07

dstc

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy blond with a big foamy white head that stays. Nice thick sticky lace.

Big fruity nose. Hints of herbs and flowers.

Sweetness throughout the taste. Mild phenol, herbal taste. Alcohol and mild hops present.

Full and smooth in the mouth with nice carbonation.

Wonderful Blond, very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 18:26:04 | More by dstc

irishking1977

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a bright golden hue, with a fairly robust white head that leaves an abundance of lacing. Very nice.

S: Floral notes, hints of sweetness such as pears. Subtle hops aroma as well.

T: Muted floral and hops, malt and pear sweetness. Crisp and refreshing, this is one of the best BSPA's I've had. Only Duvel is better by comparison thus far.

M: Crisp mouthfeel, not too thick not watery. Carbonation is where it should be.

D: This one is a keeper. Not quite a session beer, but I could put back a few of these with relative ease. For an 8.99 six pack, this is a really good value. Definitely worth re-visiting.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 01:05:15 | More by irishking1977

Ryanm1

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First had this beer 7 years ago at the age of 21 to accompany my moles frites in Paris. I drank it out of a chalice. At this time I was totally ignorant to the quality of beverage I was drinking. Since that day I've revisited this beer a few times and each time it is better than I remember. It is golden in color and pours out with several fingers of lacing. Belgians have a disntinction of having firm head, where you can almost drop a dime on it and it'll stay above the liquid.

This is a very sweet beer with spicy notes similar to that of a leffe. This is a hearty drink and will warm you up clocking in at 6.7% abv. If you like blonde belgians you will love this beer. Always consistent, always excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2013 02:52:32 | More by Ryanm1

Todd

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bright golden/amber in color topped with a very tight and thick white foam head, which retains very well and creates a fine clinging lace. I left the chunky goodness in the bottle, to consume after the review.

Big floral and herbal nose, with spicy pepper and blossom honey.

Sharp-ish on the palate. Creamy and lively carbonation action on the palate that tingles and bites. Near astringent puckering bitterness blends with a dry and quenching edge. Phenols (faint medicinal) and pepper add complexities, while a soft honey-like sweetness provides perfect balance. Some bready notes as the beer warms, with a pronounced sweetness. Dry finish, touch of floral oil and powdery grain in the finish. Bone-dry linger.

A gorgeous blond. Balanced, interesting, quenching, highly drinkable and strong.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2005 17:55:42 | More by Todd

jsprain1

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Pours golden with just a bit of haze. Thick white head with so-so retention but lots of sticky lacing.
S- Spicy with a bit of floral hops lingering. a bit of sweetness and bready notes lingering as well.
T- The first thing you notice is a sharp peppery taste, followed by a bit of floral hoppiness. The finish is sweet, with a bit of nutty flavor from the yeast. Just the slightest hint of alcohol warmth to it.
M- Smooth, a bit creamy with spot on carbonation, just enough to keep it lively but not overly aggressive.
D- Definitely a great BSPA, very drinkable and refreshing. Light enough and definitely tasty enough that having a second isn't unreasonable. All in all, just a well done beer with few flaws.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2010 06:07:04 | More by jsprain1

RodneyFarva

Spain

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: light golden hazy color, 2 finger fluffy head which slowly settles.

s: very strong and nice aroma - pineapple, almost cotton candy-like, some spiciness, and a dry alcohol aroma

t: spiciness - clove and black pepper, much less of the fruitiness and sweetness in the aroma, which is nice, as it isn't as cloyingly sweet as some BSPAs.

m: high carbonation, dry, works well with the flavors

o: really nice and drinkable, pretty rare here in Spain so I was glad to pick it up and try it.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 20:53:53 | More by RodneyFarva

matjack85

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I tried this last fall at Quencher's Saloon in Chicago. $7 for a 12oz brown bottle. Review is from notes I took at the time.

The beer poured a clear honey gold color, made a 1½-finger white head that lasted awhile, and it left some really nice lacing.

Nice honey smell with plenty of spices amd plenty of fruit.

Delicious. Nice pepper and clove spiciness up front with a bready malt backbone. A touch of honey and a touch of tropical fruit (mostly pineapple) add more character and complexity.

Light, but very spritzy due to the high carbonation. Finishes dry.

Wish they had this on tap instead of just in bottles because this is one of the best blonds on the market.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 15:44:15 | More by matjack85

Hoagie1973

New York

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this in a crowded bar so I'll have to revisit it to note all of the complexities, but basically this was one tasty beer.

Poured a cloudy yellow-gold with a medium off-white head. Excellent retention.
Smelled like spiced fruit, bready malt, and ale yeast.
Flavor was sharp and complex, spicy and semi-sweet with a crisp dryness in the finish.
Medium bodied and a little creamy.
I'm no expert on Belgians, but I thought this was very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2008 21:52:56 | More by Hoagie1973