Grimbergen Blonde - Brouwerij Alken-Maes

meatmallet

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Golden body with a small white head with no lacing.

Smell: Belgian yeast, apricots, grapes, granny smith apples, and citrus. Some sweetness coming from the malts and a little bit of a sour undertone.

Taste: A lot of yeast and some must in the beginning but a sweet middle and a tart aftertaste. All of the flavors in the nose are present.

Mouthfeel/drinkability: Light bodied and lightly carbonated but the carbonation is very lively. It has a bit of a dry finish. Not much of an aftertaste. I think thats the biggest knock is it just disappears from the palate.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 22:25:21 | More by meatmallet

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

(Served in a tulip glass)
A- This beer pours a very slight hazy golden-yellow body with a thick rocky snow-white head that last for a good bit and a microbubble carbonation
. S- The clean aroma has a faint pale malt note that has just a touch of sweetness to it.
T- The dry carbonic acid note leads to dry tart apples in the finish. There is a light soapy note to the finish aswell.
M- The dry crisp mouthfeel finishes with a soft tight fizz. There is no alcohol noticed.
D- This beer has a soapy hop flavor that grows and that is about the only flavor. I didn't get any yeast character or malt flavor unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 03:27:55 | More by rhoadsrage

brewdoc75

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nicely into my Chimay goblet. A little darker than I would imagine for the style with a orange-yellow color. There is a generous white head initially, but it dies down quickly to nothing. Strong carbonation.

S: Vinegar and mustard seed notes at first. As the beer warms up there is some apple and spice notes. Some light sweetness from the malts. In the end I get a little sulfur. Some nice fruit aromas, but the vinegar/mustard aromas kill some of the aroma for me.

T: The flavor is much better than the aroma. Very nice apple and fruit flavors. The fruits are more subtle. Pear and apple are the most predominant flavors. This is followed by some beautiful spiciness. There is a nice, honey-like sweetness in the end. The beer finishes with a light, floral hoppiness. Very nice balance of delicate flavors. None of the vinegar or sulfur that was in the aroma.

M: Light bodied and strongly carbonated. Finishes fairly dry, but not like a saison. The alcohol is there a little to dry things out, but not too much.

D: I had this beer about 4 years ago when I was first getting into Belgian Beer. I really thought this beer was amazing at the time. I have of course had many different, phenomenal Belgian ales since then. I had always passed this up when I saw it. For some reason, I started craving it again. Upon revisiting the beer, I still find it enjoyable. When comparing it to some other Belgian Ales, it isn't quite as exciting as I used to think it was. I still like it however. It is a simple, easy drinking, Belgian Ale. I will definitely continue to pick this up from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 03:17:25 | More by brewdoc75

impending

California

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33cl into a tulip. Pours a gorgeous crystal clear orangey gold. Minor head, minor lacing.

Aroma of bready yeast, apricots and citrus.

Taste is light, smooth and muted but not as if watery. Aftertaste is clean, without any bitterness and evaporates quickly. Mouthfeel is light and prickly.

Pleasant, no highs, no lows. Smooth.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 07:38:12 | More by impending

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

33 cl. bottle.

Dark golden colour, nice white fluffy head, good carbonation.

Smell of apricot, citrus, floral hops. Taste is solid malty and yeasty. The other flavours are a bit faint: hoppy bitterness balance well with sweet notes of fruit.
Mouthfeel is light, almost watery for a 6.7%, with a sweet alcohol finish.
Decently drinkable. Simple and easy for an undemanding palate.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 12:52:46 | More by RuudJH

mariposafan

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bright honey colored body - just gorgeous. The frothy, cream colored head fades a bit too quickly but was nice while it lasted.

The aroma is bananas and cloves with a little sweetness. There's also a sourness, like a tart apple, just hinted at.

The sourness shows up more in the taste but it's pleasant and not overpowering. A bit too much alcohol but otherwise very nice. Some cloves and malts with a little bitterness that fades quickly. Could use a bit more complexity and/or richness.

The feel is fine but a little more body would have been better. The carbonation is maybe a little low, as well - it has a hard time cutting through to help clear the palate.

Drinks very easily. Would drink even better with less of an alcohol kick.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 23:42:02 | More by mariposafan

stoepsel

Spain

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Regular overall appearence with a dark golden body and quickly fading head. Fascinating smell like fresh fruits somewhere between grape, peach and apricot.
Very well matching with this sour fruity taste I notice fine champagne-like sparkles in my mouth.
Quite a contrast is the mild but malty finish, which is nice but will not fit to the sensational beginning.
Very impressive beer - especially for the nose.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 11:30:17 | More by stoepsel

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

CANQuest (TM) beer/bier/biere/birra/cerveza/cerveja # 400 from CANs/DOSEN/BOITES/LATTINE/LATAS/BLIKKEN and I CANnot be more proud!

This started out as a stupid lark in response to people who were traveling hither and yon for the latest sought-out release of an RIS and morphed into a campaign to transition craft beer from bottles into CANs and make them more portable and (perceptually) greener at the same time. What once were habits now are vices in a big way. I rarely drink a beer from anything other than a CAN, a tap, or a cask now and while many pooh-pooh my self-imposed exile from BottleLand, I seldom look back in regret. Instead, I have become the touchstone for CANned beers, along with a loyal group of traders, contributors and like-minded individuals.

Tonight's beer comes to me/us from einweizenbitte, a clever traveler who refers to me by Woody Allen's given name, Herr Konigsburg and my uncle, Dr. Kirsch as Uncle Cherry. Here's to you, einweizenbitte, and may yours be a very happy Thanksgiving!

From the CAN: "Ardet nec Consumitur."; "'Brule mais ne se consume pas', telle est la devise de l'abbaye de Grimbergen. Fondee en 1128 dans un petit village au nord du Bruxelles elle fut a maintes reprises incendiee mais a chaque fois rebatie, tel un phenix renaissant de ses cendres. Au fil de son histoire, labbaye de Grimbergena su conserver la recette d'une biere authentique et de charactere. Cette biere blonde au gout unique et a la mousse abondante se deguste idealment entre 8 C et 12 C."/"'Burned but not destroyed,' that is the motto of the Grimberger Abbey. Established in 1128 in a small village north of Brussels, the abbey was built by hand many times and each time it has been rebuilt, it has been like a phoenix rising from its ashes. Throughout its history, Grimberger Abbey has known the recipe for an authentic beer with character. This blonde beer has a unique taste with a plentiful head. The ideal temperature to consume this beer is between 46.4 F and 53.6 F."

The Crack & Glug was nearly religious in terms of its experience, resulting in well over two fingers of thick, foamy, bone-white head with excellent retention. I began to regret not having donned the robes of Bro. Woody of the Order of Disorder as the singing of angels could be heard around me. The head slowly fell like a penitent to its knees, leaving behind a beautiful, sticky lacing that begged to be licked from the sides of the glass (as if I were worthy). The nose had a bready, semi-sweet, musty yeast-driven quality that I had to drag myself away from. After all, beer is meant to be drunk, not inhaled. Mouthfeel was medium with an intense yeast mustiness up front, like putting your tongue on the Guttenberg Bible, followed by a sweet cotton candy-like flavor before giving itself over to a slight grassiness. The finish was semi-dry, not bone-dry, but on its approach with a definite yeast-driven flavor. it was about as good a beer as I have ever had from a CAN. Do they allow coolers in church? Maybe at the Church Brew Works ... I am not taking this to the beach or the mountains, however. This is a beer in a CAN to be savored. Seek it out and remember who turned you onto it. Let us be thankful ...

Serving type: can

11-24-2010 23:52:41 | More by woodychandler

jhtipton

Spain

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 33cl bottle into my affligem chalice. Wonderful light golden color with rich white head. Smells o, bananas and fresh bread. Taste is very good; taste the sweetness of bananas, with some mellowing tartness like pears, the belgian yeast, like a crisp spring morn. Mouth feel is light to medium bodied with some bubbles. Drinkability is good; I could make an evening of one or two of these. Time for some fish and chips now, Mate.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 18:39:39 | More by jhtipton

socon67

New York

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

A - Amber in color, with a thin layer of foam. This just looked nice in the glass. Not clear, but very subdued; no lacing.

S - Smells like a typical belgian ale. Yeasty, sweet with a fruit aroma.

T - I liked this very much. There was blend of citrus with spicy pepper notes. The finish has a sugary taste right before the ABV kicks in.

M - Some carbonation, but not much. The kick at the end makes this something you savor slowly. Not a sipper, but more of a medium bodied belgian to be enjoyed over time. Went great with my three course dinner.

D - Could easily have a couple. Not sure why I haven't come across this until now, but definitely one to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 02:33:49 | More by socon67

Brideshead

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

In appearance, gold and not unlike a pilsner in clarity. The head is a sticky, smooth layer of white tinged with gold. Lacing sticks pretty evenly all down the glass.

A sharpish, clean yeast quality really meats the nose, with tropical fruit behind--banana I believe. I might wish for a bit more going on behind the yeast. On the palate, there is a bit of spiciness accompanying fruit and yeast. Fills up the mouth quite nicely, a fact that is helped along by the lively carbonation and crisp mouthfeel. Basic, but an an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 17:09:33 | More by Brideshead

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Slightly oranged golden, with a thin head. Slightly hazy. the head is a near white.
S- Smell is relatively subdued, but rather fruity and slightly yeasty.
T- Pretty sweet, like a cookie, followed by some fruit flavors. Vaguely spicy.
M- Smooth with some light creaminess.
D- Pretty smooth and clean. Relatively easy to drink. Enjoyable though not extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 03:03:39 | More by jsprain1

DaveBlack

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Has a nice pour, light golden color with a large white head which leaves a fair amount of lacing

S: Fairly yeasty and sour smelling with a floral/fruity character. Smells very light and refreshing.

T: Fruity banana/clove flavor. Very light, both spicy and fruity. very refreshing, but very sweet the whole way through. Not very much balance in the way of hops. Has a lot of belgian characteristics. About what I was expecting from the aroma.

M: Lower carbonation than I was expecting, makes it feel heavy and sickly sweet in the mouth.

D: A very drinkable beer. The flavor is sweet but not cloying and doesn't overwhelm the taste buds. If you plan on having more than one or two then this isn't the beer for you because it coats the mouth rather thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 23:17:32 | More by DaveBlack

BelgianDrinker

New York

4.28/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Light head of golden-brown, with malty sweet nose of fruit (strawberries?) and vanilla extract with a little spice. Light to medium bodied and a bit sweet with a lemony citrus flavor and hint of clove. Really enjoyable. I could have had a 2nd easily.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2010 01:04:36 | More by BelgianDrinker

cpanossian

New York

2.38/5  rDev -36%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Served in a .33L goblet. Kind of "off" tasting light honey brown ale. Tastes like it's turned or spoiled. Light foam film that disappears and leaves no head. Mild fruity candy malt taste but tastes a little off. Wasn't able to finish the goblet and wouldn't want to try it again. Maybe just had a bad pour.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2010 13:35:56 | More by cpanossian

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from a stubby bottle into a Chimay chalice. Golden in color with an efervescent white head and some lacing.

Smell: Belgian ale yeast and some malty breadiness.

Taste: A sweet golden ale, with a belgian twang. Ripe fruit, mead and belgian candi sugar. Bitterness is low, for a belgian pale ale this is near cloying, yet still enjoyable.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied, syrupy with good carbonation.

Drinkability: A decent sweet blonde belgian ale. To call it a Belgian Pale ale describes the appearance only.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2010 03:34:16 | More by Stinkypuss

weazal

California

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

SMELL: primarily a spicey, yeasty nose dominates. There's a good amount of lemon zest coming in towards the end in a bright, citrusy way. Overall a medium aroma. Nice, but not thrilling.

TASTE: Thick, bulbous mouthfeel upfront that gives way. Surprisingly dry throughout with occasionally (spicy) sharpness. In terms of flavor it's a bit one-note, earthy, yeasty? The flavor does stick around for awhile, which is nice but isn't necessarily impressive. A little sweetness develops, drawing out an essence of apples and bananas.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 05:35:13 | More by weazal

jmarvin4189

Vermont

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - golden with good head that leaves lacing down the cup.

Smell - has a citrus floral aroma

Taste - has a very fruity citrus flavor that wasn't a suprise after the smell, the smell is very similar to the taste

Mouthfeel - good carbonation very smooth and refreshing.

Drinkability - very good, at 3.99 a six pack this stuff will keep you drinking it all day.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 03:34:14 | More by jmarvin4189

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- clear golden apricot amber with an absolutely beautiful ivory head. it's densely bubbled on the sides and has a nice rocky skin on top. lace is totally crustworthy and i crust that it will stick all over the place. and i was right, it covers the glass in sheets. this is one nice looking sparkling golden ale.

S- initially it was sooo skunkdafied but thankfully that went away before the head was even half way settled. beery aroma of lightly toasted malts and floral herbal hops. a bit of fruity citrus and bitter lemon push through with very subtle banana clove and bubblegum and a sprinkle of white pepper.

T- nicely sweet and dry with solid fruity undertones. noble hop flavor is pronounced but not over the top and the light bitterness compliments fruity banana, melon, pear, and field grass. honeydew nectar floral taste near the finish adds another layer of flavor atop husky bran cereal grain backboard. finishes with some grainy sweetness and another touch of honey and vanilla.

MF- silky medium body with prickly carbonation. very burpy. scratchy on my tongue but i don't mind. slightly gummy on the cheeks in a very fruity pulpy way, like i just ate a plum, fading to a nice dry cleanliness.

D- very highly drinkable belgian! clean, crisp, and thirst quenching. drinks like a 5% beer until the barely noticeable alcohol kicks in. glad i picked this one up and i could easily have another.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2010 17:23:42 | More by hustlesworth

gatornation

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a golden color with a touch of tan..nice fluffy head that recedes to a very white ring..smell is fruit ,clove and spice..taste is light in fruits and spices with sweet malts and belgian yeast..mouthfeel is medium but not full flavored still a good blonde..tasty and drinkable ..reccomended

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 13:48:40 | More by gatornation

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

3.6/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

300ml bottle served in a its own chalice.

A: Pours a nice clear golden yellow color forming a medium bubbled and bit soapy white head. Medium ro low retention and some thin lingering lacings left in the glass

S: Sweet grains, honey and fruits. A bit spicy too. Bready and biscuity Belgian style yeasts

T: Sweet upfront. Strong notes of honey, sweet malts and fruits. On overall, a smooth and light sweet body. A bit drier than Leffe Blond, for example. Light bitter hoppy finish

M: Medium body and carbonation. Molasses. Grainy bittersweet aftertaste

O: Medium drinkability. Strong Belgium character. Not bad

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2010 21:23:26 | More by eduardolinhalis

metter98

New York

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: It poured clear golden yellow in color with a finger-sized white head that never quite completely disappeared. A moderate amount of carbonation is visible.
S: Light aromas of fruits, spices and yeast fill the nose.
T: The overall taste is a little sweet and the flavors resemble those present in the aroma, with notes of apples and bananas.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and relatively smooth given the amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is very drinkable; so easy to consume that I could definitely have more than one of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 03:15:43 | More by metter98

brewduck

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a satisfying, refreshing and not-too-heavy brew. The aroma is light, somewhat phenol and fruity. Pours with a 1 finger frothy head that dissipates quickly, leaving a light lacing.

More drinkable than many 6.7 ABVs. Feels a little full and creamy mouthwise, with a wine-like after taste.

The Blonde offers many of the qualities of a trippel without the higher alcohol content, a bit lighter in flavor, too. It's a good start to the evening. I could see having 2-3 of these.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 22:55:45 | More by brewduck

mrkc

Alaska

2.9/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

The artwork is a bit gaudy on this 11.2 fl beer - some sort of hereldic eagle - but not too over the top. The beer pours a thick head, the beer itself a clear straw yellow. The predominant smell is yeast, but with a backing of fruity esters. The first thing you notice is the clouded, muzzy mouthfeel of the beer, thick and silty. It has faint taste of bananas, backed with a carbonated bite. There's a light citrus zip, but the overwhelming silt feeling still dominants. It's hard to drink anymore than a little of this at a time, before it feels like your teeth are being sandblasted - bring plenty of water.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 02:49:34 | More by mrkc

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.05/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Marginally hazy appearance, lots of bubbles and yellow. Aroma is sweet, but has something that is kind of an afront, but not alcohol.

Taste, lemon, orange, coriander, zippy feel to it. Slight buttery aspect. Mouthfeel throughout leaves no surprises. Extremely expensive for what it is, plenty of similar beers (mothership wit comes to mind) for a lot less $.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2010 00:09:47 | More by Beerandraiderfan