Leffe Blonde - Abbaye de Leffe S.A.

tugdriver7

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer falls into the "boy am I glad I bought this" category. Being a bit of a purist "Reinheitsgebot-ist" when it comes to malt beverages, I am not a real fan of Belgian beers. So when I saw the display of Abbey de Leffe at the local store, I was attracted first to the amazing packaging. But the BA reviews were good, so I tried it. Absolutely loved it. Rich, clear golden color with massive, foamy head that lasted and lasted (and then laced the glass all the way down). The spicy clove/banana hops hits your nose immediately, but subtlely. And the taste is reminiscient of the best Belgian white beers, but filtered to a smooth, bubbly gold and not too sweet. Extremly drinkable and one of the few I've enjoyed right down to the last swallow. Exceptional. I think I'll have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 23:52:45 | More by tugdriver7

Mitchster

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Didn't really know what to expect, as this was an Interbrew product and we all know they are seen as devils in the brewing community. I have had a few other Leffe products and really enjoyed them. This one pours out to a clear yellow-golden, forming a nice-sized rocky white head with very good retention and excellent lacing. Carbonation is moderate...not quite as brisk as many other triples/Belgian Pales, which is fine with me. The aroma is crisp and clean with vanilla, honey, cantaloupe, and cloves. Slight mineral profile in the nose. Deceivingly light powdery body with a very weak saccharin syrupiness, but not at all distracting. Dry finish with sharp mineral notes. The taste is like the aroma...lots of cantaloupe and honey, mild apricot and orange with a very mild grassy bitterness towards the end, finishing with big tropical fruits and cloves peppered throughout. Alcohol is not noticeable in flavor or aroma. Grass lingers in the aftertaste. Well-balanced middle sweetness and late hops bitterness. Drinkability is very nice.

This is probably the easiest to drink Belgian Pale that I've had that doesn't skimp on flavor, dumb down for the masses, or deviate from the style. Thoroughly refreshing, and it doesn't cause palette fatigue (unlike Unibroue products...despite being awesome, I can only drink so many) Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2006 00:13:46 | More by Mitchster

Damian

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Drank on-tap at the Thirsty Scholar Pub, Somerville, MA

Poured a clear, straw yellow with a small, foamy head that faded to a thick ring of lace.

Aroma was fruity and sweet. Ripe fruits (strawberries and raspberries) were apparent, along with candied sugar and some cotton candy-like qualities.

Taste was sweet (almost honey-like) and fruity on the front end. Some candied sugar was apparent in taste as well. Yeast became quite noticeable mid-palate, along with citrus fruits (orange and lemon peel) and spices (coriander and clove). Clean, refreshing finish with a fair amount of hoppiness.

Rich, buttery, syrupy mouthfeel.

Drinkability was outstanding. This beer was sweet and flavorful, yet quite well balanced. Furthermore, the alcohol was not at all detectable. One of the most sessionable Belgiums I have had to date.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2006 05:39:45 | More by Damian

billybob

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured a clear golden color with a three finger white head with a easy pour that held to a half inch with a spotty lace. first whiff is of banana aroma that turns to clove and spice. taste, all i could think of was easter ham studed with clove, clove and spice predominate the taste. medium mouthfeel with good carbonation, lots of bubbles coming up through the beer. maybe not the best but still tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2007 18:41:24 | More by billybob

BarryNL

Netherlands

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Crystal clear and golden - OK, they cheat and filter it so don't really deserve a lot of praise for the clarity but nevertheless a rich and appetising colour. A nice. bright white Belgian lace head which lasts well.

S: Malty with hints of honey and fruit.

T: Full of rich malty flavour. The aftertaste is honey and there is some nice floral and earthy complexity - probably from the yeast strain used. The hop bitterness balances the beer well, though the taste is definitely on the sweeter side.

M: Rich and fluffy with a fairly high level of carbonation.

D: Highly quaffable. The taste is clean enough that you could happily drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2008 20:37:48 | More by BarryNL

edbeer

Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer tastes as good as it looks. I do have to admit that I was a little disappointed that maize was used as an adjunct but given my love fro this beer I'll overlook it. The pour finished with a white creamy head that looks every bit as good as the advertisements. The taste was smooth and malty with a nice hop balance. This is the kind of beer you can have with pizza or a nice filet mignon. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 23:48:57 | More by edbeer

WHYB

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: lots of clove, nice sweet fruity aroma as well (juicy fruit)

Appearance: Clean/clear golden color, small clean bubbles, white foamy head

Flavor: Spicy, (clove and pepper). The small bitterness, medium alcohol and med-high carbonation dry out this beer which I think would otherwise be considered sweet.
Still has the overall impression of sweet (which is balanced with the high spice) and the slowly drying finish, slight alcohol warming.

Mouth feel
Medium-Full, creamy, and a dry bubbly feel,

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2011 02:16:18 | More by WHYB

madeofsteel

Michigan

4.48/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a very slender, subtly seductive foiled bottle. Poured into a Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a hazy pale blond color with an impressive inch- thick head, which lulls into a quarter inch in about a minute, leaving thick, patchy lacing. This stuff looks appetizing.

S - The first thing I notice is a spicy Belgo-yeast, then faint grassy hops, slight citrus, and maybe honey?

T - Sharp grassy hops in between a delightful sweet chorus of banana, bubble gum, possibly coriander and honey. There's almost a peppery quality to it.

M - Mellow carbonation and a pleasantly light body make this very drinkable.

O - If you're a fan of Belgians, this one is definitely worth a peek.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 22:18:02 | More by madeofsteel

4.47/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a delicious Belgian. I had the bottle type and I poured it into a pilsner glass a little too quickly and the head was enormous. On my second round I chose the classic pint glass and the head was a bit more tame but so was my pour. The color is of the deep golden viriety and there was about 1 inch of head. It smelled sweet and malty and possible had some citrus notes. It seemed heavier on the malt and the hops were drowned out. Carbonation was present but not overpowering. The smell convinces you the taste will be smooth and on the sweeter side. This is not a heavy ale but its look is deceiving. It was filling but was an easy pint to finish. There was lacing left the entire way up the glass. I'd gladly have another.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2008 21:59:30 | More by

mkaplanes

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had this beer on tap when I was in Belgium for work. I ordered a Duvel as that was the only Belgian beer I had had at that point. They were out of it, so they suggested Leffe as an alternative. Wow - I immediately fell in love with it. It's got a nice round, bold taste. I especially enjoy the drinkability - it is very smooth in the mouth and then goes down very easy.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 03:53:34 | More by mkaplanes

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.47/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Leffe Blonde has a medium, cream-colored, fluffy head and a clear, golden-orange appearance with lots of streaming bubbles and thin lacing. The aroma is of coriander and cloves, and the taste is of cloves, coriander, bananas, corn bread, cracker, and other unknown flavors. The mouthfeel is medium, and Leffe Blond finishes pleasant, refreshing, mild, and delicious. Overall, this is an excellent beer, and I think you should rush out and buy it!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 16:11:54 | More by RonaldTheriot

mwrseeley

Ontario (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the best beers I have sampled in a long time. The aroma of cookies, lemon and bananas greet the nose and a nice balance between sweetness and astringency is evident in the taste.

Leffe Blonde wonderfully complements a quiet evening of reading or music listening.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2004 07:19:00 | More by mwrseeley

jakester

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this from a friend who only drinks Belgians. I drank this in a Kasteel glass.

Pours an almost clear deep gold with a faint orange tint. One finger head of white foam which drops to islands and a ring. Not much lacing. A little disappointed in that.

Aroma is real fruity; tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapple. Maybe some citrus. Slightly phenolic, but not strong. A little spicy. No real discernable hop aroma, but some bready pale malts are in there.

Tastes of sweet mangoes, pineapples, tart lemons and oranges. Spicy black pepper and other spices. Nice bready/yeasty malt base, and just enough hop bitterness for balance. I like this! Alcohol is present as it warms. Aftertaste is a very long and really pleasant fruitiness.

Mouthfeel is incredibly smooth. Carbonation is soft, with a luxurious sweetness filling your whole mouth. I cannot get over how smooth this beer is!

At 6.6% ABV, this will hurt you. But, it is so smooth and drinkable, I bet you can't drink just one!

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2005 15:03:12 | More by jakester

philphilphil

Australia

4.45/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my favourites, if not my favourite. served on tap in the leffe glass.
Appearance was a deep amber colour with a slight touch of cloudiness but 90% clear.
Smell was lovely simple but present.
Flavour was a soft lovely touching on sweet maltiness, simple yet magnificent. very well hidden 6.6 percent abv.
Mouthfeel was a thick aleish one, quite noice.
Drinkability is so good except the price. thats pretty much it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2010 08:24:04 | More by philphilphil

AEK

United Kingdom (Wales)

4.45/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml brown bottle poured into a Leffe chalice.

A. Gold coloured ale topped by a soapy/foamy white head.

S. Orangey, candy floss sweet aroma. One or two more citrus notes. Fresh strawberries.

T. Malty, sweet honey, candy floss, traces of dried fruit stones, slightly carbonated. A nice hop kick at the finish.

M. Medium bodied.

D. A really enjoyable Abbey beer (even if it is a commercial one) and along with a couple of other lighter coloured beers is a great summer thirst quencher.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 18:58:55 | More by AEK

AtrumAnimus

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours an orangish color with a long lasting creamy head. It has a spicy malted nose that is just wonderful. This beer has an excellent taste that is well complemented by the creamy mouthfeel. The taste is malty with a pleasant and enjoyable hop undertone.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2003 14:37:35 | More by AtrumAnimus

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: sweet, alcoholic and spicy. A little wine-like. A clean smelling beer; not as "organic" as most Belgian ales. Slight vegetable scents from the wheat. Tart and thin smelling. All tones are subtle, except the alchohol.
Appearance: Just off-clear and straw, nicely carbonated. Dainty white head that disapeared about half way through the beer. Laces very well.
Taste: Well matured sweetness pronounced at the nose. Fruity on the edge of pears, peaches, and apricots. Rounds out quite nicely in the body. Medium but bold body. Alcohol quickly jumps out to cut the sweetness. Low but apropriate hop flavoring and bittering helps to keep this beer from tasting too wine-like. Spicy aided by the hops and by the yeast. Delicate fruit citrus and tartness detected in the body and follows throughout. Drying toward the finish.
Aftertase: Dry and tart. sweetness thinned by the heat. Flavors that don't linger too long.
Impression: A delicate, yet bold beer. Nicely complex in its flavors and power. It'll sneak up on you. I do recommend this beer. I always have at least one in my fridge; even better on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2005 13:03:07 | More by BEERchitect

BeerSox

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle into snifter.

Clear applejuice colored Ale with an off white frothy head that slowly settles to a thick cap. Rings of solid lacing.

Sweet with estery fruit scents. Creaminess and hints of banana.

Grainy malts with the fruit scent being repeated in the flavor. Banana and a little bit of clove. A little hop bitterness comes in at the end. Medium bodied with high carbonation with a little bit of an acidic feel.

This seems like the Belgian Ale for those who like hefeweizens. Banana and clove with little hop bitterness of phenols. Very easy to drink with the lower alcohol by volume (compared to other Belgian Ales). Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2007 06:19:33 | More by BeerSox

gyllstromk

Belgium

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours crystal clear, golden-amber, with a light head. Quite pretty! Aromas of banana, cloves, anise, juniper, with floral notes. Body is sweet with a tangy and quite spicy finish. A pleasure to drink and one of the best examples of the style, (and quite cheap and highly available in Belgium).

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 14:02:57 | More by gyllstromk

NODAK

Tennessee

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The main note on the nose is of spicy cloves....though there are hints of honey and yeast as well. Definitely spicy here, though.

Definitely a sweet beer here....definitely full of notes of banana, honey and candied sugar....at the same time, it's also quite heavy on the cloves. Hopping is very light as expected. Certainly has the Belgian taste to it, and could be mistaken as a little lighter version of a tripel. Quite tasty all in all...packs a little punch as well.

For a Belgian, this beer doesn't get the best marks but I found it to be imminently drinkable....sweet and spicy, it goes down very well.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 01:17:03 | More by NODAK

hypoboxer

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Leffe is by far my favorite "go to" beer when entertaining. It's fairly easy to find in my local stores and is exotic enough to introduce them to Belgium ales.

The taste is crisp and the carbonation is perfect that allows it to go with many dishes. The smell is also very welcoming.

This is a fantastic Pale Ale, coming from a fan of IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 17:52:50 | More by hypoboxer

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

This meduim amber colored beer was served with a minimal amount of white head, but a decent amount of foam could be coaxed back by swirling the glass. The aromas were strong on bubble gum, orange, and coriander. Very pleasing. The taste is also sweet, with that bubble gum note, followed by smooth orange creme and just a touch of coriander. Some hops are noticeable in the finish. The mouthfeel is rich and supple. Simply luxurious on the tongue. The drinkability is also very good. This is an impressive beer, and i can see why so many call it one of the favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2003 14:19:29 | More by aaronh

IntriqKen

California

4.4/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful crystal clear orange in the glass with a nice single finger head of white that takes forever to disappear. When it does it leaves behind a solid coating of white lacing.
Aromas are mildly belgium yeasts and soft sweet malts.
Mouthfeel is creamy and tingly with the massive carbonation and sugars.
Taste of sweet malts, tropical fruits, finish to light, very light lemon.
Aftertaste is just pure and fresh.
Lovely Blonde.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2007 02:58:17 | More by IntriqKen

cyrenaica

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle
6.60% ABV

I tried this beer on February 21, 2008 after purchasing from my local LCBO outlet. This beer poured an translucent orangy-gold with a thin, creamy white head. The aroma was slighty yeasty with some malty and hoppy hints. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, creamy, and amply carbonated. The taste was dryish, yeasty, with a little bit of sweetness. A very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2008 06:04:52 | More by cyrenaica

ledemie

New York

4.4/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap in Paris

A: served a dull golden tone with a big and wavy white head

S: sweet with a Belgium beer aroma

T: Grassy, Hop is mellowed out from the sweetness, orange peel, clove.

Ml: decent carbonation, medium body.

D: high,, good beer to tackle a Steak Frite in Paris, good everyday beer, thought I tried the Bottle here and was not impressed....

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2008 13:27:09 | More by ledemie