Brewery: Brasserie Lefebvre
Location: Quenast, Belgium
Style: Belgian Abbey Beer
ABV: 6.5%
Version: Bottled
Source: BeerMerchants.com

I love it when random chance turns up something a bit special. I placed an order with BeerMerchants.com a few weeks ago, mainly to get hold of a few Moor beers, along with the first couple from Kernel and a couple of Viven brews. By the time I’d added all of those I ended up £1.80 short of making the order a round £50.00 (with p&p). Floreffe Blonde was priced at £1.80… had to be done.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my online chess buddies and I were chatting about Belgian beer, so I thought I’d crack this one open and give it a go. I was very glad I did.

Floreffe Blonde poured a clear gold, with a big, bubbly Belgian head. There was a doughy, bread-ish aroma that carries over into the initial flavour and although it quickly gives way to a smooth, honeyed sweetness, there’s still a hint of baked goods hanging on in the background right the way through. It’s extremely tasty, very drinkable and dangerously more-ish. Lovely stuff. Enjoyed this one immensely.

This order actually came in about a month ago, but I’m only just getting round to sampling some of the contents. In a weird bit of mathematical synchronicity the whole lot (including p&p) came to £50.00 exactly.*

First up:

• Kernel Porter and Pale Ale
• Viven Porter and Ale

The Kernel beers were one of the main reasons for putting the order in, and I’d heard good buzz about the Vivens as well.

Next:

• Moor Old Freddie Walker, JJJ IPA, Peat Porter and Fusion

The other main reason for ordering… heard nothing but great things about these beers, looking forward to trying them.

And finally, to make up the 12-case, a few miscellaneous Belgians:

• Het Anker Gouden Carolus
• De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout
• Van Steenbergen Gulden Draak
• Brasserie Lefebvre Floreffe Blonde

Tasting notes to follow on all of the above in due course!

*Okay, okay, I confess. I hunted around for a bottle priced at £1.80 to make up the round number. Mild numerical OCD strikes again.