Beer Review – Leffe
November 30, 2008
While I was in Brussels recently almost every bar seemed to have Leffe on draught. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t complaining, but as a Brit I found it strange for such a fine beer to be well, so readily available! There are a select few bars in Central London that stock it, but in the UK, for the most part Leffe is strictly for beer aficionados!
I suppose I shouldn’t have been that surprised, Leffe is part of the global InBev empire and brewed at the vast Artois brewery in Leuven. It still clutches to its ‘Abbey’ heritage though; the Leffe glass is modeled on a chalice, and the logo shows an abbey building, represented in stained glass.
Abbey beers are different from (although similar to) Trappist beers, they are brewed by commercial breweries in something approaching the Trappist style and tend to take the name of a nearby Abbey. This is a largely successful endeavour by the Belgian brewing industry to cash in on the reputation of Trappist beers. In the case of Leffe, the brand was resurrected in the 1950’s although the original abbey was devastated during the French Revolution; beer hadn’t been brewed at the Leffe Abbey for nearly two hundred years. And indeed still isn’t!
‘Trappist’ beers, on the other hand, are still brewed (as the name might suggest) by serving Trappist monks in the surviving abbeys (Five in Belgium, one in Holland). Examples of Trappist Beers include Chimay, Orval and Westmalle, all fine ales in their own right, and some tastings I’m looking forward to, on your behalf!
There is an apocryphal tale that the Belgian Government cracked down on the sale of spirits after the first world war, which is why Belgian beers tend to be brewed for strength as well as flavour.
The two main Leffe brands are Leffe Blond and Leffe Brune, both available on draught in Belgium and (as before) a few select bars and cafes around Europe. However on returning to the UK I remembered a Leffe gift pack I had on my shelf so, purely for the purposes of research, I submit the following Leffe beer reviews!
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Leffe Blond
We’ll start with what should be the lightest of the Leffe family, although still a respectable 6.2% ABV, as you can see Leffe Blond came out considerably paler than I remembered, but make no mistake, despite its pale amber colouration, this is a full bodied ale. It has a full mouth feel, and a substantial head that lasted well down the glass, leaving a distinctive lacing down the glass.
The flavour is well rounded, slightly sweet, slightly spicy, but with all these brews there is something that is distinctively ‘Belgian’. Okay so not quite trappist, but once you’ve tasted a Belgian beer, you’ll spot that flavour whenever you are fortunate enough to encounter it.
There are hints of vanilla and toffee in this flavour, it’s not too heavy, in fact, I was pleased to note that I had a large (75cl) bottle of Blond on my shelf for the weekend.
Rating: 
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Leffe Brune
Moving on to Leffe Brune, again at 6.2%, you notice that the head is a latte coffee colour, and doesn’t last as long as the Blonde, but it still leaves a respectable lacing down the glass.
Leffe Brune is full bodied, close to a Stout or a Porter, but not too heavy, very quaffable. (Terry Pratchett – one of my favourite authors – describes quaffing as ‘a lot like drinking, but your ears can get wet’.) The flavour of the Brune is altogether richer, fuller, slightly sweet, but ultimately satisfying there are notes of dark treacle, and chocolate, and a hint of coffee, but it’s not too sweet. Against these ales, most lagers and British ales pale (no pun intended) by comparison.
Other tasters have argued between Leffe Radieuese and Leffe Triple (see below) as being among the worlds best beers, I would add that if you’re lucky enough to find it on draught, Leffe Brune is one of the world’s best draught beers.
Rating:
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Leffe Radieuse
After Blond and Brune, Leffe Radieuese is only available in bottles, but at 8.2% ABV it’s not something you would expect to encounter on draught. As you pour, the head is the colour of a stronger latte than the Brune shows, the beer is a rich ruby colour if held up to a bright light, and the coffee connection follows into the flavour. There are distinct hints of strong coffee and dark chocolate… and a deep rich fruit cake flavour in there, but I also got hints of caramel and even honey.
All in all a very satisfying drink, my favourite of the bottled Leffe’s by a small margin, one to treat with respect though.
Rating: 
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Leffe Triple
Finally to Leffe Triple, brewed to a full 8.5%. This is still not the strongest of the Leffe brews, there is a 9% brew around, but I’ve not managed to find that yet.8.5% should still be strong enough to be a cause for some reverence.
Leffe Triple is the only bottle conditioned ale in the Leffe range and comes through very dark, more of a garnet than a ruby, with a more coffee coloured head. The body is full and the nose slightly sharp, but that sharpness doesn’t translate into the flavour which is rich and warming. Again the roasted barley comes through to give a coffee / chocolate flavour, with maybe the merest hint of bitter oranges and spice.
Rating:
So, in conclusion, Leffe produce a fine range of Abbey style beers. As such they’re industrial rather than craft or artisan beers, but they’re full bodied, full flavoured and well worth seeking out.
BTW, Microbrew Kits are a great way to start if you’re thinking about brewing beer from home!
Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, Belgian Beers, European Beers, Views from a Brit
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December 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Well, after reading Bob the Brit’s great review of all these Leffe beers, I knew I had to try one. Fortunately for me, my local shop had the Leffe Blond – which I tried. This was my first ‘Abbey Ale’, and all I can say is that this beer is very different than other beers – special even.
The Leffe Blond does create an enormous head that took a LONG tome to go down, and when it does it leaves an incredible amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma and the taste, are, for me, hard to describe except that they were different – and very satisfying! Bob the Brit, I think, describes it perfectly in his review above, so I won’t try to add to that.
If this were my review, I would give this beer 4 stars also – only because I have not tried any other ‘Abbey’ or ‘Trappist’ brews to compare it to. I’m afraid Bob has gotten me on an Abbey Ale kick because as soon as I finish typing this I’m going out to try finding one of the other ones on his list!
Scott – The Brew Club’s last blog post..Beer Review – Jacks Pumpkin Spice Ale by Michelob
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Drinking bottled Leffe Blond right now, fabulous beer, my favourite lager that I have tried thus far, can only get it bottled in Ireland also. I was surprised to hear it is made by Artois, I don’t really like Stella, I am assuming they are made in the same brewery. I will look out for some of the other Trappist beers, but I can’t imagine they get much better than Leffe
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 am
Thanks for the feedback Don, but it’s worth noting that despite being very pale Leffe Blond is not a lager, it’s an ale. My article ‘Warm Beer in the Soft SUmmer Rain’ for The Brewclub explains the differences.
It’s still a great beer and, I observed, the preferred drink of the locals in Brussels, and you can’t get a better recommendation than that.
Bob the Brit’s last blog post..Black Cabs
April 4th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Enjoying my first bottle of Leffe Radieuse tonight and stumbled on this web site.
I am not a big beer drinker but was introduced to Leffe Blond on a trip to Nottingham a couple of years ago. Simply excellent and now I look for it every where. Was hugely pleased to find it in my local supermarket in MALAYSIA(!?!) – Jaya 33 for those interested.
Super beer. If you have never tried it, its time to try this gem.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Recently in Spain I found what I now consider the best beer in the world, a draft called Leffe Negra. Why is Negra never mentioned here? It is a Guinness type but much smoother and somewhat sweeter. WHERE can I find Leffe Negra? I would kill for it?
May 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am
David, I suspect that Leffe Negra is simply a Spanish translation of the Belgian Leffe Brune.
And while I might not kill for draught Leffe (Jenlain or Westmalle maybe) I agree, as you’ll see from my review –
“if you’re lucky enough to find it on draught, Leffe Brune is one of the world’s best draught beers.”
You don’t say where you’re normally based, but draught Leffe is widely available, keep looking!
Bob the Brit’s last blog post..London Wall
July 21st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I’m not a fan of blonds. I do prefer stout beers. I’ve never tasted a Leffe beer that I liked (and I already tasted the blond and the triple). But I should try this Leffe Radieuse. At least, seems a little bit different in flavour.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
My daughter who lives in England extolled the virtues of the Leffe Blond. When I visited her in Marlow she took me to the Two Brewers Pub which has it on tap. I loved it. It is lighter than most ales and distinct in its taste of spice. Love the crisp taste of coriander and clove on a winter’s afternoon. Trying to find it here in New York State.
August 1st, 2009 at 8:02 am
what about the blue 9? i heard you can only get the 9 in belgium
August 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am
I confess I wasn’t aware of the Blue 9% Leffe and haven’t seen it, even on my trip to Brussels. The beer shops there stock literally thosands of beers so it’s easy to scan past the familar looking beers and miss something.
However, now I’m aware of it I will keep an eye out for it.
Thankd for the steer!
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Cotton Socks
August 1st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
not a problem.. was at delerium cafe not to long back…. what an amazing place… have never looked at beer the same since..
August 1st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
yes, the blue is amazing…i encountered it at a PUB in liege, Belgium..taste similiar to the blonde but with a 9% abv..i just moved back to America and was pleased to see the local liquor stores stocking chimay, hoogarden, and some other popular belgian beers..
August 28th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Where can i find Leffe Radieuse in the USA? i live in Illinois and Leffe Blonde is my favorite Beer…just started to drink the Belgium Abbey Beer’s and was amazed to find Leffe makes more than one…anyone have suggestions?
August 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Neil, keep looking! Where I am its hard to find anything other than the Blonde as well. I would just ask the manager of the places you find the Leffe Blonde if they can get the others for you.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brooklyner Weisse by The Brooklyn Brewery
August 28th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Glad to hear about the other Leffe options — the Brune and Blonde are fine but leave me feeling like there’s something more to pursue.
For those in or near NYC, I recommend this little Belgian place on 75th between 2nd and 3rd Ave (can’t remember the name) — some decent selections on tap, more in bottles, nearly all in the abbey/trappist style. A fun place to spend a lazy weekend afternoon.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:02 am
I like the sound of the Belgian place in NYC, sounds like a VERY nice place to spend a lazy afternoon.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Borough Market
September 15th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Please can anyone tell me if a 3l bottle of Leffe Blond that is 10 years plus old will still be good to drink or will it poison us? It has a champagne cork.
Many thanks
Toddy and the Sweeneys
September 15th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Well I’d certainly try it. I’ve not heard of anyone trying it, but I can’t see anything that would cause you harm. Maybe a small, cautious, sip initially. Please let us know how you get on!
BobTheBrit´s last blog ..Blackpool
November 11th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
i need a leffe…it has been way to long…….. anyone know where to get one on the colorado springs area….
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Can anyone tell me why we haven’t been able to get Leffe in the western US for going on 6 weeks? What disaster has befallen us!
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Mark, that is rough! I know the Leffe Blonde supply is pretty strong here in NJ, but I hope that some makes it way out there sometime soon!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Home Brew Kits – The Final Review
January 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
found a leffe blonde in a liquor store in the colorado springs…..