The Vice Blog

Leffe Blonde

6.6% ABV

Leffe Blonde was one of the first “good” beers I’d ever had.  I used to not be much of a beer drinker, preferring whiskey or vodka in college.  This was mainly cause I didn’t know how complex and tasty a quality beer could be.  This all changed after school when one of my more worldly friends introduced me to Belgian beers.  While our other friends hit pitcher-deal happy hours at crappy pubs we began frequenting the old Markt Belgian restaurant/bar in the meatpacking district.  A glorious place with a several pages long menu there of only Belgian beers.  I sampled many of them as a 23-year-old but I always came back to two, Duvel and Leffe Blonde.  As I got more into beers my focus shifted away from Belgians and, being a huge jingoist, I became more interested in American craft beers.  But, I always knew in the back of my head that I could revisit Leffe whenever I needed too.  And, when pressed to list some of my favorite beers, I always listed Leffe Blonde in my top ten.

This past weekend I knew I would be going to a Mediterranean cheese/wine bar with a fairly respectable beer list.  Perusing its beer menu online before I left, I was pleased to see Leffe Blonde on the list, bringing back fond memories of a beer I probably hadn’t tasted in three years.  I paid a visit to BeerAdvocate.com to read about it.  I was shocked to see the beer get a mediocre C review from the experts and a crummy B from the online reviewers.  Had I always liked a crappy beer?  Had I had a poor, inexperienced palate back in my early 20s when I loved this beer so much?  My mind had been blown.

The verdict was a resounding NO.  I still loved the smell of this beer and the taste too.  It’s very malty, smooth with a great flavor.  It may not be that complex but it’s eminently drinkable.  In all honesty, it wouldn’t be on my top ten beers list any more, but it’s still a great brew.  And it brings back the fondest of nostalgic memories.

A-/B+