Christoffel Bier / Blond

Tap at Kafe België, Utrecht: Hops, hops and more hops and yes this a very bitter Pilsener.

Dark orange beer with small, off-white head. Some hops, German obviously, a bit of ureum, but discreet, and a bit of garden herbs. Quite carbonated, grass, a remarkable toasted malts flavour; beautiful bitterness, remaining in the aftertaste, always accompagnied with a toasted flavour. Carbonated, a bit chewy, very rounded for a Pilsener. One of the best Pilseners in the Low Countries. Again in the style (after some poorer period) Leo Brand intended.

Sweet apricot fruit nose. The flavor, however, is not very sweet at all. Still has some complexity and is a pleasant drink.

Light brown cloudy color with short white head. Flavors of light bitter toasted malt and a touch of fruit. It is extremely smooth and refreshing.

Pours a clear gold with a small head and some lace. Slightly skunky, hoppy aroma. Tastes of fruit (apricot?) and well-balanced hops. Slight wheat-malt taste, and a great hoppy finish. Slightly creamy body, low carbonation, though. Overall, one of the better blond ales that I’ve had.

Bottle from RBF 07. Full creamy bodyt but not quite sweet. Malty flavours abound with grassy hops with just enough bitterenss to keep it ticking along nicely.

At Wildeman, Amsterdam. Beautiful hazy orange-amber with a nice big-bubble head that laces considerably. The whole beer really seems to glow, almost to radiate light from within itself - impressive color. Aroma was pleasant and a bit distinct from the prototypical pilsener. Dusty and grassy hops were of course predominant, as well as moderate fruitiness in citrus (lemon) and an intense spicy, yeasty character that just seemed to work. Taste was light and smooth: bit of spice, but mostly grass and citrus hop and a slight honey-like sweetness from the malts. The finish here is different and hard to describe - failing any specifics, there is a pronounced malt sweetness. Slightly bitter after that was the only downside to this brew. High carbonation, quite effervescent on the tongue. Very good.

Golden, slightly hazy, nice dreamy head. The aroma has notes of fruit and the flavour of fruit, apple, hops and a brief watery feeling before a rather distinct citrus acidity. The finish has brief notes of apple and the citrus remains on the tongue quite a while.