Grimbergen Blonde

Alken-Maes (Heineken)
Brewed at Kronenbourg (Carlsberg)
Style: Belgian Ale
Jumet, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

clear pour. dirty blond color with a soft white head. it smells really dirty... dusty and muddy yet floral with notes of orange and yeast. it has a muddy flavor as well... yeast, grassy hops, florals and a mild bitterness on the finish. mud puddle lingering aftertaste is not a pleasant character in beer... medium to thick body. sludgy and blech...5/3/4/1/9/2.2

Pours a pillowy, white head and a clear golden body. Smells of yeast, dough, and grass. Flavor is biscuit, lemongrass, and yeast. Finish is slightly sweet. Creamy body.

Pours out gold coloured with a small white head. Aromsas of malt, hops and banana. Also in the flvaors some banana, sweetness, freshness and hops. A rather bitter and somewhat dry finish.

Drank from bottle. A sessionable belgian ale. Light balanced flavors. Good. Finish short - sweet.

50 cl can from France (merci Papa!), served at cellar temperature in a tulip glass. JL 24/09.

App.: Clear, deep golden with a nice white foam. Aroma: Earthy fruitiness, lemony coriander, a little brightness, some stale apple juice. Palate: Medium body and moderate effervescence. Flav.: More earthy coriander than the nose, citrusy and quite fruity, biscuit malts; sweet with no bitterness and leftover biscuit malts.

Fair, but not terribly exciting.

Lighter golden color. Aroma is basically of malts, citrus, and yeast. Taste is of sweeter matls. Basically this is just not my style of beer, like I’ve said before. But I do respect peoples opinions that do like it. It’s just not for me.

good beer. very drinkable because it goes down smooth. no overpowering alcohol odors or bitter flavors. fruity, malty, and lite tasting.

For such a tiny country nestled in-between a half-dozen different countries, Belgium is a tour-de-force in brewing and all that it entails: culture, history, religion, food, economics, etc. They are also an apparently stubborn bunch, clinging, rightly so, to ancient brewing techniques that still best most modern brewing marvels and their product. If there are any secrets involved, the Belgians’ aren’t telling anytime soon, and I rather prefer it that way. Two most common affiliations with Belgian brewing are Trappist and Abbey ales, the latter of which is up to bat today. Grimbergen is a town in Belgium which also has a Norbertine abbey from which their fabulous beers are brewed. Only two are available in the states, the Blonde and Dubbel/Double. Long before I really knew the inner workings of Belgian beer, I sat at a bar in Atlanta, GA and ordered my very first Grimbergen Blonde. Fast-foreword a few years later to now, and once more I am blessed with their Blonde and a better understanding of and appreciation for her.

I can’t pick a favorite beer, but if I must, I can easily say without a doubt that Belgium is my favorite country and thusly, style. The Grimbergen Blonde fits in there nicely with a clear golden smile while a soft, puffy white cloud settles in for the long haul. A masterpiece of lace dresses her in the finest while she whispers sweet nothings in my ear. Pepper, spice, lemon, yeast, and fresh sourdough bread, soft and moist from the baker’s oven. Over-ripe bananas are whipped into a soft banana cream while a dryer essence of hay and straw lurks in the background. I sense a storm building for the aroma of fresh rain and damp earth permeates her nose. Wanting to avoid the downpour, I delve deep into her inviting body to discover a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a soft presence deserving of her name. Belgian blonde ales are reputably soft, smooth, and delicate while still bursting with flavor and refreshment. Bananas and fresh dough receive a fresh spritz of lemon and yeast while pepper settles into the back of my throat for a pleasantly warm finish. The bananas and cream and sourdough give her a chewy presence which lightly coats all porous surfaces. The only hint of hops is a growing tingling sensation on top of my tongue. Clean, moist, and highly refreshing, the Grimbergen Blonde is an excellent Belgian session beer.

I remember exactly where I was when I had my first Grimbergen Blonde, but up until we were able to be reunited recently, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about her specifically. Now though, any day is a good day for a Grimbergen, in my opinion. Of course, I have my Grimbergen chalice for proper pouring and supping. There is no need for uncertainty; next time you see a six-pack, don’t hesitate at all to bring her home with you.