Trappist Westvleteren Blonde - Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)

DoubleJ

California

4.46/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a Westvleteren chalice by the staff at Cafe In de Vrede, on to the beer;

An electric blonde shade colors the beer. There is a little visible sediment which sits at the bottom of the glass. Visible bubbles and a poofywhite head adds texture to the look. The aroma is somewhat straightforward and fun; bringing the aromas of farmhouse, lemon, and fresh grass.

What a vibrant taste! A lot of fresh cut grass and fresh hops are hitting the palate. It's not all hoppy though, as notes of hay and wool crawl through the dominance and create a little attraction to itself. It's a lighter medium bodied beer, with a somewaht creamy feel, with a crisp and bitter aftertaste.

Is it possible that Westvleteren Blonde is overlooked? This is simply an outstanding blonde which is easy to drink, but doesn't receive the same kind of love as its siblings. If you're at In de Vrede, you want to start your engine with this.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 23:24:15 | More by DoubleJ

deebo

Minnesota

4.34/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On first trip to Belgium in late 2010. A road trip from Bruges to the cafe next to the Monastery on a pilgrimage for the quadruple but lets start with the Blond first. Appearance is cloudy with a light foam. Looks like an unfiltered wheat. Aromas of wheat with an estery banana note. Taste is smooth with a nice balance of wheat and a hop end note. Mouthfeel is complex and rich for a low alcohol beer with a medium level of carbonation. Super drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 03:29:02 | More by deebo

Nesued

South Carolina

4.61/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Lovely golden color, nice head formed upon the pour. Yeast sediment present. Good carbonation that continues to be refreshed as

Smell: A clean, grassy aroma. Light and bright nose. Some spices and yeast add to overall floral profile.

Taste: Toasty malt presence is added to what is found it the aroma. Subtle grassy hop contribution that does not overpower the balance.

Mouthfeel: Just enough linger on the tongue. A crisp and clean light cleansing allowing proper prep for the next sip.

Overall: What a pleasure. A well-made brew for such a soft style. As others of said, drink this as fresh as you can get it. Overshadowed by it's bigger brothers, but a beer that should not be overlooked. Wish I could get more, for it would make a great table beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 00:54:56 | More by Nesued

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to wethorseblanket for sharing this one at jmgrub's tasting.

Cap is dated 29.04.07.

Pours a hazy light yellow with a foamy off-white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down either. Smell is of malt, honey, grape juice, and lots of fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with an earthy spice finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with a great smell and some very nice flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 03:58:19 | More by UCLABrewN84

gory4d

New York

4.19/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a light golden with a touch of haze; nice foamy white head, a good bit of lacing. Smell is some grass, a little mustiness, something like honey. The taste is funky up front, but mildly so; it's grassy and biscuity in the middle, with a nice sharp tang at the end. It's moderately carbonated, with a full body for a blonde beer. All in all very nice, a lot like Orval but a little brighter. I had three of these and now they're gone - wish I had another.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 17:10:36 | More by gory4d

Ryanm1

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a bottle at beer temple in Amsterdam to a chalice glass. Quarter inch of white lacing that dissipates in time. Golden color. Bits of carbonation hanging in the glass frothing hundred of stagnant bubbles. Slightly sweet honey smell. Other notes typical to Belgian blondes, floral. Taste is wheat slight honey, spicy finish. Moderate abv.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 14:45:51 | More by Ryanm1

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle 5,8% Abv.
Served chilled in an over sized wine glass.
Best Before: 07/07/2012.

Before someone tells me that this is expired and should not be reviewed, I have had it fresh and this bottle was purposely aged.

Thanks to Brabander for this and the last bottle I had.

Appearance: Westy blonde pours out a lightly clouded golden yellow, with a standard pour yielding a massive white head. As one would expect from any good Belgian ale; the head retention is incredible and thick chunks of lacing are left clinging to the glass when it finally begins to recede.

Smell: Mmmm, this smells delicious and quite complex for an abbey single. Lemon is the stand out aroma on the first few sniffs, but it is quickly joined by apple, a little banana, some white grape, pale malt, a bready quality, a hint of peach, a faint sprinkling of spices (cloves and white pepper come to mind) an earthiness and a hint of herbal hops. I remember thinking that my fresh bottle had a hint of brett in the nose, but there is nothing horsey present here.

Taste: As the nose promised, this is a really delicious Belgian ale - though I think I preferred the hoppy character and bitterness present in the fresh bottle to the fruitier flavours here. Notes include: Lemon, some banana like yeast notes, a little apple, peach, some spices, a grassy note, pale malt and a bready quality.

Mouthfeel: Just about bang on for the style - light bodied, with a high level of expansive, but creamy carbonation. This is certainly one of the most refreshing and easy drinking beers around.

Overall: Westy blonde is a fantastic abbey single and is right up there with Orval for the best in the style. I have to say though, I did prefer the fresh bottle I had in 2010.

Please note that the ratings above were taken from notes for the fresh bottle that I had in 2010, the ratings for this bottle are as follows: 4/4.5/4/4.5/4

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 19:58:44 | More by Thehuntmaster

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from 330ml bottle into a goblet glass. Thanks to Ruds for trading this.

Pours a slightly hazy golden colour, with a great head that lasts absolutely ages.

Smells of mid-light malts and light hops. Faint yeast too.

Tastes extremely smooth, biscuity malts balancing with subtley spicy/herbal hops, with great texture and body.

Overall a really nice beer, balanced and a general pleasure to drink. I could quaff this all day and not get bored.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 21:23:37 | More by CwrwAmByth

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Many thanks to Bryan for this one. (Thanks, man!!!!)

A - Crisp, bright gold color with a generous two fingered head, moderate carbonation is steady and even, and looks like vibrant white cotton candy.

S - Lemons, light earthy straw, biscuity, light floral, pears, and white grapes.

T - Pears, white grapes, lemons, and a mild pine finish; lightly earthy, mild Belgian spice in the middle, not overly sweet or bready, but perfectly blended with a delicate tang.

M - Light medium body, with crisp and gentle carbonation on the tongue.

O - One of the finest blonde ales I've had the enjoyment of trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 06:52:06 | More by jzeilinger

GJ40

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled in a chalice from a bottle with a cap date of "3/9/13".

Light gold in color with very good clarity and a small white head. An aggressive yet well behaved barrage of tiny rising bubbles. Aroma is spicy with some fruit. Taste follows with a mild spicy bite and a hint of fruit. It's not dry and not sweet but carefully hidden in between. It's so smooth and easy from start to finish. No rough edges whatsoever. It's so light and airy, especially at first, that it seems to evaporate in your mouth.

This is an enjoyable beer that's flavorful, refreshing and smooth without any taking away from the other.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 22:12:14 | More by GJ40

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer is clear golden with a small to medium sized white head. Head fades quickly, leaving a bit of lace.

Very nice smell and surprisingly potent. Yeast is the standout scent, but light fruit (peach and apple) are there as well. I don't believe there is any brett in the beer, but the yeast scent is very reminiscent of brett to my nose, with a bit of funk and similar fruity notes. Orval is the closest comparator I know of for the smell.

Taste follows suit. A bit of yeasty funk and some light fruit flavours. Orval is again a reference, but it does not have the same incredibly dryness that I associate with Orval. Certainly more sweetness, but not a sweet beer. Again, it has characteristics that make me think of brett.

Medium bodied, highly carbonated. A bit on the irritating side.

Overall very good. The focus on the yeast really improves what seems to me to otherwise be a straightforward (but high quality) Belgian pale.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 18:41:19 | More by jrenihan

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

279th Review
33cl poured into a (small) Westy XII chalice - I think the Bros at the Abbey need to make a Blonde and an 8 glass.
Didn't catch the stamp date on the cap, but I picked this bottle up at the Abbey in June 2012 on an excellent visit to SW Belgium with Brabander. Thanks for the lift, Thijs - can't wait to roadtrip again!

Should be noted that I have enjoyed this beer several times previously, but just getting around to reviewing it proper now. On this occasion, it was enjoyed with my wife as her celebration beer for the birth of our first kiddoe. Cheer Babe & Izzy!

A: Medium golden hay; a bit murky. 1.5 (white) fingernail head on gentle pour.

S: Smells of cracked hay, soft cracked pepper, and Belgian yeast. Touch of floral scent as well. Nice!

T: Smooth, clean, and crisp. Notes follow smell and the balance here is wonderful. I could tell it was slightly aged, but that surely did not divert from the overall enjoy of this occasion!

M: Medium bodied with balanced carbonation.

O: Very easy to drink and just an all-around great beer! Drink it fresh though as that is when it is most enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 14:37:44 | More by spdyfire83

Bierman9

New Hampshire

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

Received two bottles of this from super-BA Brabander when I visited him at his home on 05OCT12. All bottles made it home safely! Time to indulge!

Poured into a small DT tulip, it is a medium golden color, with a touch of haze, even without the yeasties swirled in. Head is fluffy and white, starting at 1" but rapidly ebbing to a fine layer. Decent lacing is seen in the glass, along with some sparse, slow-moving carbonation. Nose is a bit bready and crackery, along with some grassy, spicy notes. The body is medium, and it has a light, airy feel on the tongue without being too prickly.

Has subtle, mild sweetness, and is very crackery. A little bit of light fruit and lemon rind is present, but more prevalent is the spicy character. Lots of earthy, grassy hops hit the palate, with some bitterness present. Finish is dry and a touch peppery. A solid albeit unspectacular Belgian Pale. Big time thnx, Thijs!! Prosit!!

4/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1532

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 18:24:35 | More by Bierman9

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a great beer from a great brewery, a beer I wish I could have a case of instead of just being able to bring back one from Belgium.

The beer pours a really delicate hazy soft gold color with a small ring of bone white head. Some lacing as well, a nice appearance.

The beer has a very subtle smell but it is very nice with dry straw and slight barnyard notes and a slight light citrus with other spices like a coriander and very slight clove. A little bit of grassy hop aromas come through which is quite nice.

The taste is subtle but the more you taste it the more complex it gets, it really starts to open up with the spice notes the more you drink it, an elusive beer that is really interesting. Has that overall straw malt and grassy hop taste with plenty of yeast but the aftertaste opens up a world of kitchen spice and earth that is very nice.

The feel is nice and light, plenty of carbonation.

Again, a very nice beer worth seeking out!

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 00:57:15 | More by Dreadnaught33

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle at the cafe across the street from the Abbey on 9/8/12. Pours a hazy golden with a bit of white head. Really nice yeasty floral aromas, some citrus. Taste is smooth, citrusy, yeasty, and slight hop finish. Its very smooth and full bodied and feels bigger than 5.8% but a great belgian pale ale...dissapointingly not the best I ever had, but amazing nonetheless. Well worth a visit!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 19:04:17 | More by DrinkSlurm

gfreed

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Brace yourselves... in my opinion, this is the best of the Westvletern line. Even though it says "blond" on the cap, to me this tastes like an excellent tripel. It has all the lemony, hammy, salty characteristics but at a lower ABV that doesn't leave much of a burn behind. Nice foggy-yellow color, and the light fizz is a bonus, too. Plus it has-- I say this in a good way-- the aroma of Murphy's oil soap. Admit it: *you*, too, inhale deeply when when you open the Murphy's bottle. Save the cap, attach a magnet to it and put it on the fridge as a memento.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 20:17:45 | More by gfreed

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cheers to Goblinmunkey7 for having the mad connections to procure this beer... legally, too!

Appearance: Cloudy, golden straw color - pours with a nice, white head, fades to a fizzy cap, leaves some streaks of lacing

Smell: So Belgian! I don't even know how else to describe it, as this smells like a packet of Belgian yeast, if not more potent - Belgian yeast funk, clove, banana esters, bubblegum, and more yeast - some very pale malts, some candi sugar, some light grains, and some herbal/floral notes

Taste: Belgian yeast and light malts - Belgian yeast funk, cloves, bananas, bubblegum, pepper, phenols, with some herbal and floral notes - slightly bitter - grainy, pale malts, decidedly blonde with some light sweetness

Mouthfeel: Light, smooth, nicely carbonated, very drinkable despite the massive amounts of yeast

Overall: A very interesting Belgian blonde

Who would have thought that Westvleteren could make an interesting beer? This is easily one of the most straight-up Belgian beers I have ever tasted. So much yeast! The pale malts can barely handle the yeast explosion. But it works. And I'm happy I could try this.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 19:35:12 | More by angrybabboon

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Epic level hookup. Sharing the bottle with angrybabboon.

Appearance: Pale gold. Hazy. Head is tiny, bright-white and bubbly.

Smell: Heavy Belgian yeast. Clove an banana layered over a faint pepper note. Lemon and grass. Hay and bright melon. Yeast dominates and gives moderate ground to sweet pale malts. Esters. Apple.

Taste: Aggressive yeast from the start. Clove, banana and slight bubblegum. So much spice. Faint hints of lemon and pale malt, but it's all about the yeast. Aggressively Belgian. Slight hay and tons of fresh cut grass. Earthy. It's like a handful of spiced sand.

Mouthfeel: Light and dry. Moderate to high carbonation. Lingering yeast.

Overall: This is single-handedly the most Belgian beer I've ever tasted. Unrelenting and intense. Even though I'm not a fan of the style, this really shows how you craft it. Crazy flavor but nice and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 19:21:46 | More by Goblinmunkey7

IPA35

Netherlands

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy gold with a frothy white head with good retention. Tried to pour the yeast but there's still quite alot in the bottle. Even as it warms up there remains a millimeter of head.

Looks nice.

This smells of a very nice mix of fruits and spice.
Soft citrus peel, pear, soft pepper, some honey and some leafy hops.
Light malts.

Smells just as good as at In De Vrede!

This beer is not a big beer like the other two, mind you. This is a well made, subtile tasting pale or blonde ale. A session beer if you wish and much more suited for this hot summer than the 8 and 12. Soft lemon, light but rather present malts and a creamy mouthfeel describe this beer well. The aftertaste is quite dry with soft hops.

As I said the mouthfeel is creamy and smooth with rather low, or rather soft, carbonation.

Overall this is a very nice beer, as I said this is not a big beer, a nice refreshing beer for the summer. I would recommend drinking this moderately cold, chilling it too much subdues the already subtile flavours. One of the best Belgian blonde/pale ales I have had.

I reviewed it for what it is (as I always do), hench the high notes. I might still prefer a dark ale with a 4.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 14:57:50 | More by IPA35

hreb

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottles found to be in stock at Belgobaren in Stockholm, SE on July 26, 2012. Unlabeled brown bottle of impressive heft with "trappistenbier" emblazened around the neck. Green cap which identifies the beer is dated "19.10.11" and reports 5.8% ABV. Poured into one of Belgobaren's house chalices.

Beer pours blonde and slightly hazey. Dark, grainy sediment sinks to the bottom while a thin white head forms on top. My pour doesn't yield any of the huge-headed beauty reported in other Westvleterens.

This is simply classic Belgian blonde ale, executed perfectly. The smell is light and faintly hoppy and funky in the nose. The beer is slightly bitter, slightly sour, and slightly funky as well. There beer's not spicy, but there is a note of lemon or orange zest. There's also a distinct suggestion of sweetness in the brew, but no detectable residual sugar. Like a really awesome Leffe Blonde. Finishes perfectly dry and leaves a slight bitterness on the lips. Combined with moderate carbonation this is one of the most supremely drinkable beers I've ever tasted. Not the best, but quite likely the best in its genre.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 22:45:18 | More by hreb

mdaschaf

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pour a rather hazy light yellow/peach color with a very thick one finger head, one of the whitest I have ever seen. Great head retention with lacing forming all around the entire glass.

S: Right away there is some lemon and lemon zest mixed with some light spice, mostly pepper. It is rather fruity overall with some grassy hops and a bit of graham cracker malt.

T: Grassy/herbal hops mixed with some more lemon, a bit of apple, and some bready malt. There is some orange zest and spice underneath, mostly pepper and a little coriander.

M: Medium bodied with surprisingly creamy, slightly dry finish.

O: Great flavor profile and incredibly drinkable, could sit back and relax with this beer all night.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 00:46:09 | More by mdaschaf

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Happy anniversary to my girlfriend, Erin, and I. About to crack open one of her presents to me.

Pouring into an Orval chalice. I believe the best before date on the cap reads 10/06/11.

Pours a very hazy chamomile tea color. The head that somewhat formed has dwindled down to a thin splotchy ring.

Bright apple-y/pear aroma that is pure yeast ester. Malts resemble a delicate combo of wheat and caramelly barley grains. Some sweetness is pulling through. Hushed aromas intensity-wise. Complexities include candi sugar, medicinal notes, white grape juice, and light vanilla.

Quince, pear, white grape, lemon/lime, and tart apple make up the prominent fruity yeast esters. There's a carefully doled-out spice element that is like a dissolved gram of finely-granulated white pepper. Bready malts that are sweet and almost issue a faint cola flavor. Somewhat of an herbal finish.

Medium body with all of the fullness of the suspended yeast that spilled into the goblet. Carbonation is very mild, yet airy. Great feel.

A long time want. Happy to have five more.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 05:18:50 | More by thecheapies

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

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

Had on tap at the Trappist. Pour is a bright golden orange with yellow edges. The head is creamy white leaving a thick lace. The nose has a subtle yeast, light spice, lots of lemon zest and light floral hop in the back. The taste has a faint spice, lots of yeast, lemon zest, and some juicy orange cirtrus with a light hop bitterness. Body is light and refreshing, a bit juicy and prickly carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 16:02:48 | More by cpetrone84

treehugginslug

California

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought this in Belgium in a beer shop and poured it into a Westvleteren glassware

Aromatic cloves and very effervescent.

Taste was above average so much that my wife that does not like beer loved it.

Mouthful is one of the best. I tried the 8 also and both of them had great carbonation. Not rough like a Pils but very suble.

Great beer if you ever have the chance. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 18:43:36 | More by treehugginslug

rapidsequence

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle, bought at the cafe across from the abbey one week ago.

Appearance: Slightly hazy gold color with a truly beautiful head-- thick and creamy, like marshmallow creme. Incredibly thick curtains of lace. When served on draft this was very clear, but as above, this bottle is a little hazy.

Smell: Fruity, spicy, yeasty, and surprisingly hoppy. Pears, white wine grapes, yeasty spice and a trace of musty funk. Hops are a bit earthy as well as some fresh cut grass. Complex notes somewhat like a saison.

Taste: Dry, spicy, and hoppy. This is a very interesting BPA, again somewhat like a saison. Hops are flavorful (grass and earth) and a little bitter. White wine like fruit notes and yeasty spice and mustiness.

Mouthfeel: Soft, creamy carbonation with a slick body and dry finish. Very drinkable.

Overall: A very different blonde ale with less sweet fruitiness than you often get. This one is complex, yet crisp and refreshing, and begs to be consumed in quantity.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 01:05:21 | More by rapidsequence