Augustijn Blond

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Belgian Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

It’s hard to recommend a good Belgian beer for beginners, as even their lesser beers tend to be rather intense. But I could see Augustijn Blond working rather well as a transition or introductory brew for newbies. It exudes Belgian characteristics in every way, yet it’s not an intimidating brew.

I poured an 11.2oz bottle into a tulip glass.

Appearance: Bright yellow hue; mostly clear body with a bit of haze to it. Forms a large, bright white, frothy head which retains and laces wonderfully.

Smell: Sweet aromas of candy and fruit, especially banana peel and lemon flesh. A hint of spice.

Taste: Though technically a Belgian Pale Ale, Augustijn Blond tastes more like a saison as it has that classic light, dry palate with the summer-like flavors of banana and citrus. Not quite as robust or bitter as those beers, this one opts of dryness over refreshing flavors. There’s a flower-like presence throughout the palate with a hint of spice. No coriander, orangepeel or other such additives, the Belgian yeast is doing all the work here. The mild banana notes are nice, as are the lemon/lime flavors. Not much in the way of raw maltiness or hop flavor, though. Thankfully there’s no alcohol distraction here, so the palate is delivered unadulterated. It’s flavorful and satisfying. No flaws or turn-offs here, but nothing mind-blowing either. Just another solid Belgian pale ale.

Drinkability: Though technically a bigger beer, Augustijn Blond doesn’t drink or feel nearly as heavy as its 8% ABV would indicate. The body is light all around due to a distinct lack of alcohol presence. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied but with a strong presence of micro carbonation in the classic Belgian traditional. Lots of vibration and energy can be felt easily. This also makes drinking it in bigger sips a challenge, so be prepared to burp a lot. Though in the summer this would at least be refreshing.

330ml bottle. Hazy golden-amber body, good fluffy white head with decent retention. Aroma of Belgian yeast, herbal hops, lemon sourness, spices. Taste is yeasty, herbal hops bitterness, again some lemon, spice, cereals, a late alcohol aftertaste. Medium body, a little too well carbonated to my taste.

Pours hazy orange/yellow. Some fruit and spice notes to this beer. A good representation of the Belgian Ale category. Enjoyable.

Bouteille 330ml. Nez de levures fruitées (agrumes, léger de pommes et de poires, notes de bananes), malté de miel, léger de pain et d’épices (clou de girofle, léger de poivre) avec des notes d’alcool doux et de houblon herbeux. Rondeur moyenne en bouche. Goût de levures fruitées (agrumes, notes de bananes et de poires) avec un pic épicé (poivre, léger clou de girofle) lors de l’entrée en bouche suivi d’un goût de céréales, léger de miel avec des traces de sucre bonbon et de pain puis, une légère amertume de houblon herbeux avec des notes d’alcool constituent la finale. Post-goût moyen, légèrement amer d’alcool avec des notes de houblon herbeux ainsi qu’un goût fruité (zest d’agrumes).

#73 In einer schmucken Steinieflasche präsentiert sich dieses Klosterbier. Betont dunkel gehalten samt Mönch "bei der Arbeit" am Gärbottich vor Chagall-farbenem Kirchenfenster. Das Bier ist helles Bernstein mit viel feinporigem Schaum, der nahezu unverwüstlich ist. Ein fruchtig-hefiges Aroma nach Aprikose und Koriander. Im Antrunk vollmundig und sämig. Im Geschmack wiederum fruchtig und hefig mit schöner Malznote, bevor es leicht nachbitternd nachklingt. Ein typischer Vertreter belgischer Braukunst mit Saft und Kraft, ohne Overpowered zu sein. Augustijn ist ein Bier zum Schlürfen! Test vom 18.11.2010, Gebinde: Glasflasche Noten: 13,13,13,12,12,13 - 12,80

UPDATED: JAN 22, 2013
75 cl bottle @ Timo A. BBE 25.08.2008.
Pours hazy golden color with a huge frothy head that dissipates rapidly. Aroma of sour fruits, some barnyard notes, grass, some herbs and yeast. Very nice aroma! Flavor of yeast, sour fruits, spices, some malts, toffee and caramel. Strong CO2, sourish fruity palate with a yeasty fluffy finish. Quite excellent and nicely aged.
3346
Rating for this vintage bottle: 8-3-8-3-16.
33 cl bottle.
Originally rated on 20110507.
Pours golden color with a small head. Aroma of caramel malts, toffee, some spices and fruits. Flavor of ripe fruits, caramel and spices. Decent.

330ml bottle. Deep, cloudy yellow with frothy white lacing. Aroma is that sweet-sour of straight Belgian yeast, followed by fruit and toffee notes and an alcohol wash. Strong & sharp.

Pours hazy deep yellow to orange with tiny, bubbly with mid-lasting, frothy head. Aroma dominated by malt, the whole flavor seems to me is one way - "matured" which I can’t describe as something very specific yet; some sweetness and fruitness-green apples or rhubarb also. Taste is sweet, malty with no hop bitterness, min spicy, far away sour tones comes through in late stages; still some herbal-hops tones are left on tongue in after taste. Medium body, average carbonation, oily palette. Overall - compared with Gran Cru this one is more aged, matured but without yeasty palette. Could be better.

Bottle 0,33ltr: Hazy golden coloured brew with lively carbonating on the tongue. Spicy taste and well sweet bitter finish, one of the few Blonde Ale i really like.

Amber, lots of carbonation, medium frothy sustained white head. Belgian yeast and spices, banana bread. Extremely drinkable.