Grimbergen Blonde - Brouwerij Alken-Maes

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a snifter

Appearance- The beer pours a light to medium golden color with a rather large billowy white head. The head fades relatively quickly leaving a medium level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell- The aroma of the brew is sweet of a citrus and light fruit aroma of apple and pear. There exists with these smells some nice noted of a banana as well as a moderately strong yeasty smell. Hints of a lightly boozed and vanilla aroma also are there, creating a rather pleasant nose overall.

Taste – The taste begins malty and sweet with a strong presence of orange citrus upfront. As the flavors advance some yeasty and more banana flavors come to the tongue and are quickly joined by some lighter spice flavors of coriander and clove. Toward the end the of the taste the sweeter fruit flavors dwindle and an alcohol flavor mixed with some notes of vanilla hit the tongue producing, for an only 6.7 % abv brew,. a surprisingly boozy triple like flavor is left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel-The body of the beer is on the thinner side with a carbonation level that is on the average side. The slightly thinner feel is actually rather nice of the sweet citrus and boozy flavors for the brew ,minimizing the former and complementing the later quite well.

Overall – This is a Belgian style blond I rather like. It finishes on the drier side with more triple like characteristics all while maintaining a relatively smooth but warming flavor throughout the taste. Quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 01:33:21 | More by Darkmagus82

Radome

Spain

3.86/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from a 33 cl bottle into a goblet.

A - Beer is a medium golden color and very clear. Head is white, thick and fluffy. It is made up of exceptionally tiny bubbles, which also constantly rise in streams from the bottom of the glass. A very attractive beer.

S - The aroma is dominated by yeast esters--fruit and bubblegum. The fruit comes across as fresh pineapple to me. Otherwise clean and plain. I really don't get any malt or hops, just fruity gum; reminds me of Juicy Fruit brand.

T - The taste is a bit more complex than the aroma. There is some light malt and grain, along with grassy hops flavor. The pineapple and bubblegum are still there, but fainter than in the smell. A hint of alcohol.

M - Medium to heavy body is appropriate for the flavors and alcohol. Light to medium hops bitterness, some light alcohol burn. The carbonation is noticeable but seems smooth due to the tiny size of the bubbles.

O - This is a pleasant, well-made beer. It is not as complex as the best examples of Belgian pales, but it is simple and drinkable while having many of the tastes and aromas you'd expect.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 21:16:06 | More by Radome

djura

Serbia

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Golden pale clear color,white foam lasting minute or two,leaving lacing all the way.
S - Light orange smell,cloves and yeast. Pleasant smell.
T/M - Very balanced,good blond. Low carbonation,orange in the mouth,drinkable,bitter finish.

O - Very nice represent of blond ales,could drink it often.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2013 20:00:27 | More by djura

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a Corsendonk tulip.

Golden blonde color with good clarity and some visible carbonation in a cascade. I poured it very gently, because I wasn't sure how carefully I had to decant it. Perhaps, the carbonation got trapped beneath the surface. Hardly any collar of foam started up, and almost none was left behind.

Smells sweet. Muscat grape, apple, pear syrup, vanilla, triple sec, and a flamboyant yeast ester. Lots of fruit juice notes. Pretty good, but could stand to be a little drier.

The flavor is boozier and not as sweet, but still heavily fruity. Not the fruit juice overload of the aroma, but estery and scaled back by a chewy breadiness. The yeast isn't loud, either. A little more nuttiness would be welcomed, but not because the beer is too sweet. It's somewhat sweet, but there's a balancing dryness to the finish that's accompanied by some bitterness.

Late spritziness cleanses the palate. The body is a little wet, just over medium. Still, carries too much of the mere 6.7% ABV in the front.

A decent Belgian Pale. Too many other solid ones out there to give this one much praise.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 02:56:07 | More by thecheapies

Maakun

Afghanistan

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light golden color, not much of a head, but some nice bubbles rising to the top.

Smell: maybe it's me, but there's not that much of a smell. Some light malts, banana, yeasty spices, all very faint.

Taste: big malts, then some yeast, cloves, very ripe fruits (apples, pears) followed by a light bitterness. Later on it get's even a bit creamy. Aftertaste has cloves and a yeasty bitterness.

Mouth: quite full for the style. Really coats the mouth and just the right amount of carbonation. After a few minutes the carbonation gets a lot lighter, which is a bit of a shame really.

Overall: not very special, but there's nothing wrong with this either. I'd expected a bit more bitterness from the description on the bottle, but this is a very run of the mill Belgian blonde.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 19:21:34 | More by Maakun

DannyHartman

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As I pour an 11.2 oz. bottle into a pint glass, a thick and fluffy 3-inch head appears atop a clear golden brew that has plenty of visible bubbles rising throughout the drink.... There's tons of foamy retention that leaves tons of thick lacing.

I take a whiff and get upfront sweet Belgian yeast with citrus, fruit like banana and apple, and a little spiciness.

The taste is that of mostly sweet malts with a slight citusy sourness and some spiciness.... There's also a hint of mint in there.

I'd say this is a medium-bodied brew with tons of carbonation.... It has a crisp, yet slick feeling going down that leaves a sour and tingly aftertaste.

Overall, I liked it.... However, as much as I enjoyed this brew, it was not what I look for or expect from a Belgian.... Good beer, overall.... Just not by Belgian standards in my eyes.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 23:37:06 | More by DannyHartman

Twincrasher

4.85/5  rDev +30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my favorite beers.

A: Nice creamy head.

S: Overwhelming citrus and floral.

T: Love the complex flavors.

M: Typical for good pale ale.

O: Can see why some would like this and some not. Balance of spice, floral and citrus makes for varied opinions. Definitely not a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 14:24:34 | More by Twincrasher

kojevergas

California

2.45/5  rDev -34%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Bottle served into a Guinness pint glass in Ibiza, Spain. Reviewed from notes taken April 2011. 6.7% ABV confirmed. Expectations were fairly high.

A: Pours a clear light gold colour. Head is four fingers with fair thickness but no cream.

Sm: Yeast and hops obscure the malted barley body. A light aroma. Indistinct.

T: Yeast and floral hops, with a malty backbone that lacks richness or refinement. Simpler than expected. No real esters; maybe some nuts. Not as complex as an abbey beer ought to be. Poorly built for the style. Largely imbalanced.

Mf: Too light, too smooth. Doesn't complement the flavours.

Dr: Doesn't hide its ABV well. A shite abbey beer, all things considered. To be avoided. I wonder how long this sat on the shelf.

**I had this on-draught in Belgium weeks later and enjoyed it far more. Maybe the bottled version doesn't measure up.

D+

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 20:33:11 | More by kojevergas

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.83/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grimbergen Blonde ale has a thick, fluffy, off-white head and a clear, sparkling, bubbly, golden appearance. The aroma is very much of light, sweet bread, citrus fruit, and yeast sting. Taste is similar to a mimosa: champagne and orange juice, but with the added yeast spiciness. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Grimbergen Blonde finishes dry, delicate, and ultra-refreshing. What a wonderful breakfast beer. I rate it outstanding!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 12:12:58 | More by RonaldTheriot

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The color is clear deep golden, while the white enormous head is quite thick and creamy. Rich lacings.

S: Sour Belgian yeastyness. Some spices; mainly peppers. Malty. Some fruit; citric notes. Grass and hay.

T: Rich malts, sour and a bit sweet - white bread. Yeast and spices. Fruits; citric. Grass and hay.

M: Aftertaste is sour, while body is medium and carbonation rather strong for this style.

O: Smooth and gulpable no matter the ABV. Kind of a nice summerbrew.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 17:51:49 | More by Sunnanek

UCLABrewN84

California

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear orange with a 1 inch foamy orange-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A foamy curtain of lace forms around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, honey, yeast, and some light fruit aromas. There is also a slight mineral aroma that comes out as the beer warms. Taste is much the same (sans minerals) with an alcohol kick on the finish with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is easy to drink but I prefer the taste over the smell on this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 02:56:16 | More by UCLABrewN84

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: good-looking medium golden hue with a clear body and lots of effervescence. Head is two fingers of frothy ivory foam. I like it.

Smell: sweet aroma with a rich malt character and an orchardy fruitiness with notes of apple and pear. Not revolutionary but well-crafted and just what I look for in the style.

Taste: malty flavor with a light hint of some of those orchard fruits. The character of this beer really makes me want to compare it to a tripel, in which case it seems a little low-intensity and watery. However, keeping the actual style in mind, it is really on-point; really, the mere fact that my brain thinks "tripel" is a good thing here.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a good carbonation and a good mouth-filling creaminess. I like it.

Overall: a refreshing and tasty Belgian pale whose character is right up my alley.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 20:53:20 | More by flagmantho

JudgeRoughneck

Louisiana

3.35/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

APP- Dense but low rocky white head w/ thick sticky lace above a copper colored beer. Crystal clear but luster lacks brilliance.

NOSE- The beer opens with a melange of apple, nut, banana, lemon, marmelade, white grape, pear, hint of basil, floral hop, and big hits of sweet Belgian malt with bread and cake characters. As it breathes and warms the banana in particular begins to dominate. The aroma is complex but unrefined. It is not cohesvie. I find it a little overwhelming to the senses, though it is classically Belgian.

FLAVOR- Flavors sweep over the palate and coat it with sweet caramel and toffee malt flavors lavered over fruit-cocktail in syrup with some vanilla in the finish. It would be very pleasant except for alcohol is hot and highly distracting. Minty-herbal hop flavor lingers in long finish though the beer is not very bitter.

MOUTHFEEL- This is Grimbergen's downfall. The beer is medium bodied with a slick, thick, syrupy, maltiness that gets torn in half by sharp alcohol and leaves a long medicinal? astringent finish.

OVERALL- Enough redeeming qualities to interest me in the rest of the brewer's line-up, but won't be revisiting this one any time soon. Reminds me very much of the "Devil-themed" Belgian Golden Strong ales, which aside from Duvel and a few US interpretations, I usually don't dig.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 03:41:52 | More by JudgeRoughneck

stoutman

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear yellow body with a tall white head. Aroma of grain, yeast, grass, mustiness, cereal, florals, and pepper. Flavor of yeast, grass, florals, herbs. The taste was fine, a slight tangy bite with some citrus fruits trying to get out. The mouth drys quickly leaving a metalic, citrus, unbeer-like feel within. A fairly strong alcoholic finish, surprising since its a tap beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 14:07:57 | More by stoutman

acevenom

Louisiana

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass. Pours clear golden with an abundant frothy white head. Some bubbles can be seen rising from the bottom of the glass. The head recedes slowly, leaving some lacing on the side of the glass. There are aromas of pale malts, spice, fruit, and faint yeast. It smells grassy. The flavor is malty and sweet with some some spice to help balance the flavor. It has a mild aftertaste that is spicy and sweet. The mouthfeel is light to medium with moderate carbonation. It has a crisp, dry finish. It's fairly easy to drink. Overall, this is a solid, unoffensive Belgian pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 00:52:34 | More by acevenom

rarbring

Sweden

3.03/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clear deep golden brew, an off-white head with some lacing but small curtains.

Smelling of fruits, pears, apricots, yeast and butter.

Sweet bread, some spices, ripe peaches, butter.

Little carbonation, soft, a good body, a slightly dry finish.

An OK blonde, probably a bit old and tired.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 21:33:02 | More by rarbring

RodneyFarva

Spain

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into a grimbergen snifter

a: pours a clear gold, 1 finger effervescent head slowly fades to a thing film

s: light fruits and a light grassiness, sweetness quite present as well, very light and crisp

t: a sharp crispness, more spices than in the aroma: black pepper and clove, finishes more with bready malts and sweetness.

o: a solid belgian pale ale, i like it a bit better than leffe blonde (about equal distribution here in spain). enjoyable, without being overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 18:04:16 | More by RodneyFarva

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter.

4.0 A: Nearly clear yellow orange color. Two fingers of pillowy white head. Retention is good and plenty of lacing is left behind.

3.5 S: Light pepper and clove spiciness. Hay, grass, and light fruits.

3.5 T: Pepper and clove again. Earthy, hay, light fruits. Tasty.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Nice spritziness.

3.5 D: Good beer. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 03:48:40 | More by DavoleBomb

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I picked up a gift pack at Brussels airport a little while back. It came with four beers and a glass. Here's the first review:

The beer pours a perfectly clear medium golden colour. The head is thin and frothy. I'm actually quite drawn to this one. It seems to have a nice viscosity, though I can't really tell just from looking.

The aroma is lightly fruity with some aspects of green apple coming through. This is quickly followed by a whole lot of flowery aroma. It's quite nice, and not overpowering. At the same time, it remains interesting.

The taste is surprisingly malty. It starts out slightly sweet, and there is a quick flourish of flowery hops. It quickly becomes a broad smooth grainy malt flavour that persists through the finish, with a hint of hop bitterness in the finish.

Overall, this is by no means a bad beer, but there is nothing special. It lacks a lot of the complexity that makes for a really great Belgian pale.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 04:39:04 | More by evlu1441

AZbelgian

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A - Rich golden color but maintains translucence. Small white head quickly fades to a nice film of head on top. Outstanding lacing and lots of carbonation.

S - Smell was harder to discern. Light colored fruit with some maltiness. Nothing too notable.

T - Complex bready taste with notes of slightly sour apples, and clove. Brief and subtle aftertaste has hints of bread, hops and clove, giving it a nice finish that lends to continued sipping.

M - Medium to light mouthfeel.

O - Very smooth, excellent drinkability. This is a really good beer that's not too hard to find. The flavors work nicely together to make this an easy and refreshing beer that I try to keep a stock of on hand.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 20:08:07 | More by AZbelgian

tony223366

California

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From my beer journal. Reviewed in Early May 2011. Served in a Shipyard Tulip.

A: Dark golden color with a nice thick head

S: I'm getting a sweet, fruity aroma. Apples?

T: This is sweet up front with enough carbonation to keep from being cloying. Surprisingly a bit sour too.

M: Medium body with a dry finish.

O: I actually really enjoyed this. This was my first of the style and I thought it was great!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 06:23:52 | More by tony223366

BMoldy

New York

2.9/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Vigorous pour yields a small, fizzy white head. Crystal clear golden brew. Some faint lacing.

S: Pale, sweet malts with an odd graininess attached to them. Musty yeast character with very present clove-like phenols that are almost overwhelming. Very mild herbal hoppiness.

T: Very sweet malts with a sickly, Belgian yeast twang (banana, but more so cotton candy). Minimal hop presence both in terms of bitterness and flavor.

M: Cloying and a little too light in body. Carbonation faded too quickly, though in all fairness that may have been from my aggressive pour.

O: Certainly not like I remember it. Times change, and I guess so does my palate. Way too sweet and yeasty, which is made all the worse by the thin body. Bummer, dude...

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 22:08:46 | More by BMoldy

ZorPrime

Quebec (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bought in Brussels in 2011. The color is yellow, very clear. Nice white foamy head on top. Typical soapy looking foam head. The aroma is dominated by yeast, not sure I like it. Some fruits, better. Light aroma. I bit disappointing. Taste is fruity with a very dry finish. Warm. Floral notes in the taste too. Taste is ok. A good beer. Nothing to call home for 'tho.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 18:26:34 | More by ZorPrime

Mar02x

Netherlands

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - A dark yellow fluid with adecent white head. There a some carbonation bubbels racing to the top. The head slowly retracts until a fluffy head remains.

S - More yeast than citrus but definitly present. There is also a touch of sweetness to be discovered. Overall an invititing smell.

T - There is some sweetness in the taste but mostly its a bit sour, rather dry and bitter.

M - Medium carbonation with a bitter after taste.

O - A decent blonde, but in total not much to go for. I am missing floral hops and some extra sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 10:59:34 | More by Mar02x

chefelf

New York

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I first had this on a trip to France and loved it. I picked up a six-pack here and it's still quite good. I think it may have suffered a little bit through the importing.

It's a pale straw-colored ale with a decent head and very nice lacing. The taste is nice, what you'd expect from a nice Belgian ale. I can't help but thinking, for the price, that Leffe is a better deal, at least for my tastes. Grimbergen is good but Leffe, in my opinion, is just a little better and more inexpensive for this general price range.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 19:06:34 | More by chefelf