Leffe: Vladimir's Beer Thread

[Vladimir]

I'm putting all you Belgans on notice now. I went to a Trader Joe's store and found a 6-pack of Leffe blonde beer and it's sitting in the freezer. I was so excited that I almost drank the first one on the drive home!

I'm warning you all though: If it isn't worth the 11 USD I paid for it I'm giving you all back to the Spanish or Germans (which ever ones you guys like the least).

I really shouldn't complain though. This is the land of $5 domestic draft beers.

I'll let you know how it goes later.

I think the drunk thread should have its own forum to get around the Backroom closures!

[Hosakawa Tito]

Leffe Blond for less than $2 a bottle is worth every penny. Don't forget and leave them in the freezer too long, could result in a tragic waste of beer, fine Belgian beer at that. Do you want to start an international incident? Piss off the Belgians so that they cut off our, and my, supply of tasty Belgian beer? Holy Hoengaarden man, are you insane?

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Leffe is over-rated. There are much better European lagers out there.

$5 for draught beer is really expensive, especially if it's for the standard Ammerican rubbish. Is that price for a pint?

[Vladimir]

Leffe is over-rated. There are much better European lagers out there.

$5 for draught beer is really expensive, especially if it's for the standard Ammerican rubbish. Is that price for a pint?

Well that's the crappy DC inflation for you. I can't imagine how bad it is in London or any other European capitol.

There might be better European beers but this one is pretty damn good. Honestly, I can't finish all 6...that just means I won't have any tomorrow.

Pleasant smelling...just when you think the taste will become overpowering it backs off to a malty hop-like body with a slightly sweet finish. I had some Shiner Bach (bock, whatever...) over the weekend and it left a nasty film in my mouth. Not to mention that the alcohol content of Leffe seems just about right, 'tis good!

[Big_John]

whenever i see "beer" and "trader joe's" in the same setance, i feel anxiety. not familiar with this leffe though.

[Andres]

Leffe Blond for less than $2 a bottle is worth every penny. Don't forget and leave them in the freezer too long, could result in a tragic waste of beer, fine Belgian beer at that. Do you want to start an international incident? Piss off the Belgians so that they cut off our, and my, supply of tasty Belgian beer? Holy Hoengaarden man, are you insane?

There might be better European beers but this one is pretty damn good. Honestly, I can't finish all 6...that just means I won't have any tomorrow.

Pleasant smelling...just when you think the taste will become overpowering it backs off to a malty hop-like body with a slightly sweet finish. I had some Shiner Bach (bock, whatever...) over the weekend and it left a nasty film in my mouth. Not to mention that the alcohol content of Leffe seems just about right, 'tis good!

Ah, good to know there are still some "connaisseurs" living abroad.

Leffe Blond, one of my favorites. If you really like Leffe Blond, you might try the Ciney Blond. Not to mention Westmalle Tripel.

[Peasant Phill]

For goodness sakes men, take those bottles out of your freezer in in to your cellar. You don't want to end up with a Leffe snow cone.

Leffe blond is a good beer if you want something with a little more character than a normal pils (aka budweiser, stella, ...). Here in Belgium it is a very popular beer, even with the ladies. But if you really enjoy your beer I would recommend to go a little bit heavier.

[Beirut]

Not crazy about Leffe.

Fortunately, we have a huge micro-brewery industry in Quebec. Our local store stocks almost a hundred different kinds of beer. I almost never drink the same beer two days in a row.

There's one standard size, standard octane, bottle of micro-brewery beer that sells for $5.99. Haven't tried it. Probably won't.

[Fragony]

The FREEZER????????????????????

To the stake, never before did I see herecy so foul.

ps, Leffe blonde sucks, get a chouffe instead, you want Leffe double

[Vladimir]

With so many great selections being offered, the only problem is where to find them. Posting links to the web sites is appreciated but would be more useful if you could order from their site or find retailers that offer the beer.

There's always the option of asking your local stores if they can stock your favorite but there are some drawbacks. Most alcohol stores aren't able to order outside of their distributor’s catalogue and the poor sods may have no idea what you're talking about. Lastly, I doubt that a local store will order a 6-pack of some obscure beer from half way around the world just so you can see how it tastes.

Barring a bar/restaurant like Regional Food and Drink like we have in DC (or the UK), how can we sample these beers?

[Hosakawa Tito]

One place I've found in the Richmond, Virginia area, is Capitol Ale House. They have a huge menu of imported beers from all over the world. I believe they might even micro-brew there own. I stop there every time I visit my daughter.

Here's a link to their menu: Beer Menu

[KukriKhan]

I once belonged to the Beer-of-the-Month Club; I could either order from their catalog, or wait and be surprised each month with 6 different imported beers (2 of each; total 12 bottles). A Google search shows there are more places like that these days.

[Big_John]

Vlad, do you live in the US? in the US, one way i've found of tracking down good beer shops is talking to the owners of liquor stores or the managers of the liqour sections in grocery stores. generally, these people know where the best beer can be bought.

also, higher-end grocery stores often carry better beers too. if you have any organic mega-markets around (like wild oats or whole foods), they often have a good selection of imports.



on a side note, i just walked down to the local 'higher end' grocer, and spotted leffe blonde. i might go back and check it out.. but there was a rodenbach with my name on it. and that samuel smith's winter welcome ale is tempting as well.

[Vladimir]

on a side note, i just walked down to the local 'higher end' grocer, and spotted leffe blonde. i might go back and check it out.. but there was a rodenbach with my name on it. and that samuel smith's winter welcome ale is tempting as well.

Yes, DC for know but God knows where come February.

I found your statement hilarious . You cringed at the thought of Trader Joe's but you managed to find the same product at a high end store. How much did it cost?

[Big_John]

Yes, DC for know but God knows where come February.

i used to live in greenbelt.. now that i think on it, i don't recall there being any good beer shops thereabouts. DC surely has some though. walk into the german and belgian embassies and ask them.

I found your statement hilarious . You cringed at the thought of Trader Joe's but you managed to find the same product at a high end store. How much did it cost?

trader joe's is an odd place, they vary a lot from region to region. the reason a beer advocate such as myself cringes at TJs and beer being mentioned in the same sentence is that TJs has a line of beers that is about 1 step above the budweiser. they do sometimes carry good beers though.. just depends on the particular TJs you're at. i would consider TJs to be a "higher end" grocer.. i just wish they'd abolish their awful line of beers.

beer prices in ohio are set by the state, at the local grocer (and anywhere else in ohio), the leffe blonde is $7.99 for 6 bottles.

[Sir_Hawkwood]

Mmm, Time to try La Chouffe and see if it is better than Duvel.


On a slightly different note, does anybody here actualy like the taste of tequilla?

[Vladimir]

i used to live in greenbelt.. now that i think on it, i don't recall there being any good beer shops thereabouts. dc surely has some though. walk into the german and belgian embassies and ask them.

trader joe's is an odd place, they vary a lot from region to region. the reason a beer advocate such as myself cringes at tjs and beer being mentioned in the same sentence is that tjs has a line of beers that is about 1 step above the budweiser. they do sometimes carry good beers though.. just depends on the particular tjs you're at. i would consider tjs to be a "higher end" grocer.. i just wish they'd abolish their awful line of beers.

beer prices in ohio are set by the state, at the local grocer (and anywhere else in ohio), the leffe blonde is $7.99 for 6 bottles.

Good info. I had to...um...correct your post though.

Sorry

[Peasant Phill]

on a side note, i just walked down to the local 'higher end' grocer, and spotted leffe blonde. i might go back and check it out.. but there was a rodenbach with my name on it. and that samuel smith's winter welcome ale is tempting as well.

Rodenbach is an excellent beer brewed in Roeselare just a few miles from my house (I even went to a wedding in the brewery). I used to drink it frequently.

If you like rodenbach, I recommend you also try 'Duchesse de Bourgogne' if you can find it.
https://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?...e20biervm9.jpg

The taste of dark sour beers is,unfortunately, lost on me. Like I said I used to enjoy a Rodenbach or a Duchesse regularly, but now I can't even smell one without feeling nauseous.
In my first years as a student in Ghent, I went to a huge student event. You would buy a glass (1/2 liter) and you could drink all night for free. The only drink you could get was Rodenbach, wich was fine by me. However, constantly drinking 1/2 liters of Rodenbach ad fundum (I was an 18 year old student, please forgive me :embarrassed: ) isn't good for once health.
To be short I got home and puked my guts out in the toilet and later in a pot I had next to my bed. The morning after I looked in the pot and all I could see was some sticky ink black residue.
Since that night i can't touch that sweet black nectar.

[Andres]

Like I said I used to enjoy a Rodenbach or a Duchesse regularly, but now I can't even smell one without feeling nauseous.

What a pity.

If you like the fruity, sweet beers, might I suggest:

1) Kriek Lindemans



In origin, this sweet-acid drink was obtained by adding fresh black cherries to a barrel Lambic of 6 months young. The addition of fruits provokes a new fermentation in the oak barrels. After another 8 to 12 months, only peels and stones left and the Kriek-Lambic is ready to be filtered and bottled. The residual sugar can be adjusted with straight-on fruit juice to give a refermentation in the bottle. This traditional type of fruit beer is more acid and less fruity.

Because of the limited availability of the "Schaerbeekse Cherries", just as to brew a less sour and more fruity Lambic beer, Lindemans farm brewery developed an unique natural method using pure cherry juice from unfrozen cherries. This straight cherry juice is blended with selected Lambic of different ages.

Kriek has a pink-red color and a delicious taste of sparkling cherry champagne.

2) Framboise Lindemans


Long before hops were common in most beers, various fruits and vegetables were used to season beers. The acidity of Lambic beers blends perfectly with raspberries.

Taste: Magnificent aroma, delicate palate of raspberries with undertones of fruity acidity; elegant, sparkling clean natural taste.

Style: Raspberry Lambic.

Color: Rose. Serving suggestions: Chocolate desserts (especially chocolate decadence), fresh raspberries, ice cream with a raspberry demi-glaze sauce, créme caramel, baked Alaska, Olympia oysters, caviar. Serve in flute-shaped Lambic glasses at 45 degrees.

Make sure to check www.lindemans.be

3) Kriek Boon


Frank Boon, who started as a blender, is considered by many to be the leading revivalist Lambic brewer in Belgium today. Boon is remarkable for making completely traditional products, and yet having the softest and most drinkable Lambics. They are tart and crisp, but with none of the acidic bitterness that some of the traditional brewers have made their mark of authenticity. Boon believes that Lambic does not have to be harsh to be genuine.

His Lambics are 100% spontaneously fermented beer. He uses only whole fruits for his Kriek and Framboise, without the addition of syrups or extracts. His Marriage Parfait Vintage Lambics are blended from the best casks from outstanding years.

Check: www.boon.be and http://www.belgianexperts.com/boonlamb.php

[Moros]

Ah yes, kriek lindemans. Much better then a belle-vue or a max. I usually drink kriek lindemans if it's to early to get a bit drunk or if I still have to do something, instead of something more heavy.

[Vladimir]

Well I bought two more today. If it didn't take forever to do anything in NVA I'd actually be in the mood to drink one. Maybe after a little MTW, the Egyptians need to be culled again.

[Vladimir]

Ah hah! It's back!

I don't have my list with me but I did an all Belgian night yesterday. I started off with a Leffe (I had to ask how it was pronounced) Bruin, tried a Duvel/Duval/whatever, had something with a picture of a snail on it, then my memory gets fuzzy ...

I wasn't impressed with the Bruin. It was a pleasant drinking beer but lacked the spark and character that the Blonde had. Duvel was total rubbish, like drinking an alcoholic citrus soda *yuck*. The one with the snail, CARACOLE or something was really good. It was like the champagne of beer. Even though I had a couple before it the taste really grabbed me and it had a wonderful complexity. I can't remember what version of it but I'll buy it again..if I can remember the name...I'll edit my post tomorrow....

[ShadeHonestus]

La Fin du Monde

Is that typically only available in Quebec or do they distribute to other parts of the loft up there?


All these beers, so little time. Somebody map me an itinerary with American safe locales to go on a European drinking binge.

[Beirut]

Is that typically only available in Quebec or do they distribute to other parts of the loft up there?

I don't know if they export Fin du Monde, but I imagine they must. It's too tasty to keep to ourselves.

Two bottles of that stuff and I'm out like a light. "Mmmm...beer."

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I had Guinness Original Stout for the first time today-as opposed to the standard Draught.

It's interesting. I would describe the taste as 'crisp'.

[Vladimir]

Caracole Troublette is the name of the beer. I'll have to look for it again.

Just out of curiosity I stopped by the local liquor shop (one of many) and found a sixer of Leffe Blonde left. Oh, the price...~$8.00, hah! Much better than 11 and I'm going to order more. I kind of overdid it with dinner yesterday, I drank three. Very nice, very hapy.

[Fragony]

I had Guinness Original Stout for the first time today-as opposed to the standard Draught.

It's interesting. I would describe the taste as 'crisp'.

Love it, been drinking nothing else lately, a lovely somewhat bitter taste with a hint of chrystalised sugar. Not that keen on draught myselve, beer needs bubbles. And foam.

Yes, foam. Whacky brits.

[Vladimir]

Chimay

Triple Blanche: It's golden color strikes a rare balance between the bitterness of the hops and fruity hints of muscat and dry grapes. Alcohol content 8% by volume.


Red: Has a taste produces a silky feeling on the tongue and a has a slight hint of bitterness that makes it a good thirst-quencher. Alcohol content 7% by volume.


Blue: Is a a strong beer with an odour of fresh yeast coupled with a slight rosaceous flowery touch. Alcohol content 9% by volume.


I personally recommend the red. Higher alcohol content and quality tend to be mutually exclusive and it holds true in this case. If you like a slightly bitter beer go for the Blanche. The red is velvety and slightly sweet and may not be for all beer drinkers; but it is my favorite.

Duvel is excellent, easy drinking beer but doesn't have the qualities I admire in the red. [muttering curses that he's not in Europe right now]

[Ice]

Chimay

Duvel is excellent, easy drinking beer but doesn't have the qualities I admire in the red. [muttering curses that he's not in Europe right now]

The people I stayed with in Belgium use to have Duvels for dinner. European Drinking Culture is nice.

Chimay is also good; Duval's dark brother.

[Peasant Phill]

Duvel an easy drinking beer? Duvel total rubbish, like drinking an alcoholic citrus soda?

Are you guys sure you were drinking Duvel? Duvel is too bitter to be easy drinking. Like all heavy beers you should savour it.