Affligem Blond - Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem

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

GilGarp

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served cold on tap at Cheeky Monk.

Hazy golden yellow color with thin short lived white head.

Aroma is a wonderful mix of floral hops and Belgian yeast.

Flavor is refreshing and mild yet full of subtle nuances. Ripe green pear, mild pepper, floral notes, and honey.

Mouthfeel is light in body and nicely carbonated on tap.

Overall a really enjoyable beer on a warm spring day.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2012 18:12:49 | More by GilGarp

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-Tap

Appearance - Clear yellow colour with a large size frothy and fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for only a few minutes.

Smell - Banana, cloves, breads/grains, yeast

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an above average amount carbonation and I can taste bananas mixed with breads/grains and cloves. There are also some floral notes and a bit of a dry woodiness. It ends with a bready slightly dry aftertaste with a hint of fruitiness.

Overall - Happy to give this one a shot on tap. It has a nice well balanced taste and would probably work well as a gateway beer to get others away from macros.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 14:52:07 | More by spinrsx

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Listed as Affligem Grand Cru on the board where I had it... Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured red-orange with a three finger off-white head that subsided to two fingers very slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, bread, and banana. The flavor was of sweet malt, bread, banana, dark fruit, and very subtle fruit hop. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. Glad I got an opportunity to try this one on tap. I could imagine this one being a little different in the bottle, but that is pure speculation as I had it long before I was reviewing beers, so it is hard to say for sure, but this was quite enjoyable. Definitely worth getting a pour on tap if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 16:43:39 | More by thagr81us

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a nice deep gold with a little haze. Sticky looking off-white head that leaves some nice lace bands.

Smell. Little smell from this one. Light grain and a little grassy hops with some belgian yeast funk.

Taste. Smooth light caramel grains. Some grassy hops and a little sour apple.

Mouthfeel. Light body and medium-strong smooth carbonation. ABV well hidden

Overall. Easy drinker that's lighter tasting, but still interesting. Pretty good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2011 01:43:03 | More by Rutager

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

tap

Pours a light, slightly hazy honey gold.

Smells of bretty yeasts and fresh grains.

Taste follows; bretty yeasts and fresh grains. Also, esters and very mild banana-like flavors.

Mouth is moderate to full, a bit chewey, with subtle carbonation over the tongue.

Delicious and enjoyable, not too potent. Would have again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 02:43:32 | More by Cylinsier

VWBuggirl

South Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is a dark yellow color with a decent sized head to it with a bunch of lacing. This isn't the best of this style in my opinion, there are several out there that are acceptable. That said, this isn't bad, just not the best. The carbonation was good, and allowed you to enjoy the light fruity flavor. The alcohol flavor wasn't too strong either.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 06:26:15 | More by VWBuggirl

ktrillionaire

Florida

3/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a basic gold beer-y hue, not distinguishable from, say, a Michelob.

S - The aroma is very basic (keeping in line with the appearance) with some pale malt, a bit of graininess, and slightly fruit yeast-imparted esters. The balancing hop did just that, balanced, and did not leave much flavor in its wake.

T - Nice taste, I guess, but not what I'd be looking for in the style. Inoffensive paleness is there, a bit of mineral, but it is really a bit too lager-y. Too clean; absent is the expected golden fruit nuances and the definitively Belgian rustic quality imparted by yeast.

M - Just average.

D - Suitably inoffensive, likely catered to the broadest conceivable consumer base.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 19:47:22 | More by ktrillionaire

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in an Affligem Chalice. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served beer is a clear golden amber color with a ¼" white head that soon recedes to leave a ring and a thin layer of foam with an island patch of thicker foam in the middle. Sipping leaves some lacing but not a lot. The ring persists for much of the glass.

Smell: The definite pleasant aroma is definitely that of a Belgian style beer. There is some orchard fruit (green apple, pear) here and some nice yeast spiciness along with some faint floral character.

Taste: The flavors are definitely Belgian riding on a pale malt backbone. There are the orchard fruits (green apple and pear) that are nicely intermingled with the yeasty flavor that has a slightly spicy character. There are some hops showing there but the overall balance and effect are quite nice.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is light bodied and crisp with lots of fine carbonation. The finish is medium in length and trails off into some nice hop dryness with only very light bitterness to it.

Drinkability: This is a lightly favored refreshing beer with a nice complex set of flavors. It goes down too easily and so even at 7% ABV could lead one into consuming too much. I definitely enjoyed this beer and will be happy to seek it out and enjoy it again in the future

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2010 18:22:41 | More by drtth

cpanossian

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tried this from tap at Mort Subite in Brussels. Served in a chalice. Clear gold body. Light creamy head the dies slowly and leaves lots of lacing. Pleasant light banana cream yeast citrus aroma. More pronounced banana citrusy alcohol taste. Leaves a light buttery cream coasting in your mouth? Delicious companion to my "omlette mixte" snack (I think Mort Subite makes the best omlettes in Brussels).

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2010 18:44:27 | More by cpanossian

djbreezy

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Tart Bistro in Bend, OR poured into an Affligem goblet.

appearance - yellow, big foamy head, sticky lacing

smell - spice dominants the nose on this one

taste - clove and spice, sweet and hoppy

mouthfeel - medium body, viscous with dry finish

drinkability - flavorful but fatigues the palate a bit

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2010 02:30:59 | More by djbreezy

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clean, pale yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, faint lemon and flowery. In the taste, flowery, spicy, and a nice small citrus under all of that. A smooth a nd light bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry lemon like aftertaste. Nice dry spices, and dryer than a standard blond.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2010 20:23:01 | More by OWSLEY069

glid02

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a crystal-clear golden-straw color with a one-finger white head. The head slowly recedes into a thin layer on top leaving thick lacing.

Smells of crisp light malts with good amounts of pears, lighter amounts of green apple, and even lighter amounts of indistinct spices.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Light and sweet pale malt flavors kick things off with mild amounts of dryness. Coming into play shortly thereafter are pears and green apples, which then carry through to mild spices. The ending is crisp, leaving very light amounts of pear flavors lingering on the palate.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall this is a beer that's just above middle-of-the-road for the style. Not worth seeking out but certainly not worth avoiding.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2010 02:06:33 | More by glid02

PhillyStyle

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Beerbistro (Toronto):

The beer appeared a very nice clear golden color with a nice, large, dense, white head with some good retention.

The aroma was fruity sweet with a hint yeast/wheat and spices and maybe just slightly boozy. A very nice representation of the style.

The taste was very good, strong, very distinct flavor follows the nose really well and I felt that it really balanced those flavors well. The beer was crisp and refreshing. Again, a very nice representation of the style.

The beer had a medium body to it, good carbonation to it and very drinkable, maybe to easy given the ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2010 15:52:55 | More by PhillyStyle

plaid75

New York

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Waterzooi, Garden City, New York.

Poured a dark straw hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was good retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a neutral pale malt with a soft ester.

The taste was likewise bland, with a creamy malt and a slight cleansing hop.

The mouthfeel was full and creamy.

Overall a decent ale. Nothing too exciting however.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2010 22:42:47 | More by plaid75

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Affligem Blonde poured a nice hazy straw yellow on tap, with a lasting foamy head and some lacing.

Aroma of belgian yeast, light spice and banana.

Big time malt sweetness and fruityness in the flavor department. Clove, banana and bubblegum are all present. Sweet at the end and only a hint of tea like hops.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a sweet/spicy finish.

An enjoyable brew that I'm glad I got to try on tap. Certainly worthy of some praise.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2009 17:10:06 | More by Stinkypuss

nickd717

California

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Cheeky Monk in Denver.

A - Clear golden color with a large, lasting, creamy white head and some lacing.

S - Pale malt, banana, and yeast.

T - Sweet pale malt, fruity esters - banana, apricot, and pear, spice, and Belgian yeast. Pretty good but not a standout.

M - Body and carbonation are medium. Nothing too exciting.

D - A little better than average.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2009 20:09:04 | More by nickd717

jeffsala

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz tap poured into a flute glass at

A - Somewhat murky golden color with a small head and some lacing.

S - Sweet Malty aroma with a crisp finish.

T - Nicely balance of malt and light hops.

M - Dry and somewhat sour finish that tingles and keeps you wanting more.

D - Crisp and light. Flavorful without being overbearing. Nice alternative to Duvel if you want something lighter.

Serving type: on-tap

Reviewed on: 07-13-2009 21:33:39

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2009 17:24:50 | More by jeffsala

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz tap pour into an Affligem Glass at The Firkin

A - Clear gold color with a mild white head with ok retention and some sticky lacing.

S - Light crystal malts with a lot of sweet candi sugar. Just a kiss of hops to even it out. Very crisp and delicious smelling.

T - Sweet with candi sugar and clean light hops to present a fantastic balance to the light and delicious malting.

M - Crisp and lighter-bodied with a bit of a dry finish. Very refreshing and tasty though!

D - Very flavorful, balanced, and delicious. I could drink this beer all night.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2009 21:33:39 | More by BeerFMAndy

t0rin0

California

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Lucky Baldwins 10th Annual Belgian fest on 2/15/09.

Pours dark yellow, clear, and with a white head that doesn't last long.

Aroma is sugary, honey, malty, and yeast. Interesting enough for me.

Taste is sharp and very dry, medium bitterness for the style. Malty as well. Not complex but a to-style belgian pale.

Body is very thin. Very drinkable but I think this could do with 1-2% less abv.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2009 22:30:28 | More by t0rin0

Rayek

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Cheeky Monk in Denver, CO. Served in an Affligem chalice.

A: Hazy gold with a small white head. Retention is average and spots of lace are left behind.

S: Overall aroma is rather mild. Husky malt and a coriander spice dominates. Some grapes and apples sneak through.

T: A fairly subtle beer, given its strength. A pepper bitterness dominates the experience. Sweetness comes in the form of apple and grape. Alcohol is well hidden. Finishes tart and dry.

M: Medium body has the right amount of fizz.

D: First stop on my night at the Monk. All-in-all a good start to the evening.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2009 16:53:40 | More by Rayek

SurlyDuff

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this ontap at the Publick House in Boston.

Bright gold with a fairly weak head.

Mild aroma. Sweet sugary honey and some fruity belgian yeast and esthers.

Some banana, probably coming from the yeast. Apple and a yeasty spiciness and alcohol that combines together for a nice spice profile. A sweetness, in the form of honey and maybe some candied fruit, balances the whole thing out.

A relativly slow drinker, but a good brew nevertheless. It didn't really hold my interest the entire glass. It got boring after half way.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2008 14:35:01 | More by SurlyDuff

jenbys2001

Florida

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful golden color with no head and just a tiny bit of froth which leaves some lacing on the edges of the glass. This beer has a strong full bodied wheat character with a bitter finish. The aftertaste has a grainy, cereal quality to it. This is a nice, fairly smooth Blonde, but not as smooth as other Blondes I've tried.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2008 14:14:40 | More by jenbys2001

mithrascruor

California

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Callahan's, San Dieqo. More consistant than when I've had it in the bottle.

Pours a hazy dark amber color with a light white head. Has a light yeasty aroma. Great fruity taste with plenty of yeast; mostly apples and dark peach nectar. Light-bodied but viscous with light carbonation. Quite drinkable, light yet rich, and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2008 07:27:58 | More by mithrascruor

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on tap at the brand new Mellow Mushroom in Spartanburg,SC. It was their special release party keg.

A - Poured a very bright golden amber with a small white head of lace on top maybe one finger in depth but no more then that. Very cloudy and hazy with small minute particles floating around and some nice streams of carbonation coming up from the bottom. The head faded down to almost nothing leaving simply a small film across the top but there was adequete side glass alce that lasted throughout the session.

S - The aroma was very light, and very bright with the first initial smell being of light yeast and wheat that seemed to have a nice little edge of fresh grass to it that melded very well. Some very very light aromas of fruit maybe some peaches or apricots as it warmed but very light.

T - The flavor was very nice for a blond ale. Very crisp and clean with a bright east flavor sitting right up front that offered more then adequate hints of peach and grain and wheat in the flavor. That nice light grass flavor was also very present and offered a nice little bitter finish to it. The finish itself was long and drawn out with a really nice long lasting crispness that really went well with dinner and wrapped the whole thing together nicely.

M - The feel was also wonderful, nice and light bodied and very well carbonated, it never got flat or boring and offered a very nice sessionable feel to it. Crisp and clean this went down easily and really was just a pleasant expierence all around.

D - Easily a sesionable ale, I could have drank this one all day long. It was nice and light and the 7% alcohol was very wel hidden and could not even really be detected at all, which was a really nice addition. Great little belgian to welcome someone to the style.

Overall I was suprised I had never had this one before, but once I did I would definitley have this one again. This was classic and a really nice sit down and chill beer. I would recommend this one to anyone just getting into craft beer as it is light enough to not scare them away, but could still open up some doors for them in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2008 13:30:24 | More by mikesgroove