Westvleteren Blond

Brewed by Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus
Style: Belgian Ale
Westvleteren, Belgium

the beer poured a cloudy yellow with about a quarter inch of head. the beer is highly carbonated with little to no lacing. the smell is large on the cereal and citrus end with some fruity and floral undertones. the taste is a bit bitter, but the bitterness fades fast. i taste a bit of spice and floweriness as well. i notice it also to be a bit peppery. overall, the balance of this beer is nice. the mouthfeel of this beer is highly carbonated and fluffy, like rose petals. this beer is lighter tasting that i expected. it’s a very drinkable beer. would be awesome to have it just laying around to session.

Tap at In De Vrede. Pours with a light yellow color and afrothy head with nice lacing. Aromas of lemon and orange. Flavor was surprisingly hoppy, lots of fruit and quite effervescent. Fairly bitter finish, I was really surprised how hoppy it was.

I knew this one was supposed to be the less spectacular of the beers from them, and...it was. Pours a cloudy blond with a thick white head. Weird aroma, a little citrus, but also something kind of funky. Very smooth and easy to drink. Nice lemon notes. Solid, but I think it is easy to get similar beers that taste just as good.

Went to the abbey today to pick up two cases of no. 8, so while I was there I went to In De Vrede and picked up a few Blonde’s. No twelves today :( BBE 02/2009 My first rating, so forgive me... Aroma: lemon and a hint of apples. Color between golden and amber, a bit hazy - but that might be my pouring. Beautyful full white foam. More bitter than expected, but that’s a definate plus. Medium bodied and quite smooth with a bitter finish. Lots of hops here!

Bottle bbe 07/2007. Light golden yellow with fizzy pale head. Honey, pears and malts on the nose. More like a kellerbier than belgian ale! Flavor is lightly malty with dry hayish hops and bitterness. Slightly grapefruity bitter and grainy finish. Medium bodied, quite smooth palate. I guess the bottle age has taken it’s toll. To be ra-rated, fresh.

In De Vrede cafe. Delicate fresh aroma, orange blossoms, roses. Brisk noble hop bitterness, fresh delicate malt sweetness with a citrus edge. Bright carbonation, clean finish. This really is an impressive beer, and though it gets much less attention than the 8 and 12, it feels like it is crafted with every bit as much care. If those three were my house beers, this would be the one I drank the most of.

Bottle sampled from the Mad_Indian. Pours pale golden with a good size foamy white head. Aroma of caramel, lemon, citrus, and spices. the flavor is sweet, lemon, citrus, pepper, floral hops are present. Good body and mouthfeel. Great brew.

Pours a hazy, light golden body. A foamy, pure white head leaves minimal, spotty lacing in its wake. The aroma shows lemongrass, pale caramel malts, biscuit, honey, and lightly peppery, floral hops. Smells very light, fresh, and clean. Flavors continue this theme, with light, toasty, honey-glazed bread, light caramel, mild floral hops, and herbal tea notes all dancing delicately on the palate. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth and creamy, going down very easily. Simple and complex at the same time. This is just a straightforward, incredibly well crafted brew. I could drink this all summer long.