Leffe beer: history, overview of types and taste + interesting facts
Leffe - a drink that is rightfully considered the best-selling abbey Belgian beer. And this is no coincidence: the taste of beer is simply amazing and is forever remembered by those who have tried it at least once.
The history of Leffe beer
Leffe beer has a deep history dating back to the middle of the XII century. It was then that the abbey with the melodious name - Notre Dame de Leffe - was founded. The novices who lived on its territory were extremely hospitable, and therefore attracted every traveler.
However, there was not enough drinking water for everyone: the epidemics that spread in the region infected even the springs. The monks found a non-trivial way out of this situation, namely, they began to disinfect the liquid, making beer from it, because the fermentation process kills most bacteria.
The famous French Revolution almost completely destroyed the abbey. Beer production was restored only in 1952. Even today, the recipe of the drink remains unchanged, and the rights to the brand are in the hands of the world's most influential beer producer - Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Types of Leffe beer
Belgium itself produces 19 types of beer, but only five types are exported to Russia, which are discussed below.
-
Leffe Tripel
Classic light beer with an alcohol content of 8.5%.
The color of the drink resembles dark gold, and there is some cloudiness in the bottle due to the secondary fermentation process.
The drink boasts a unique flavor that combines peach, pineapple, orange and coriander.
The taste is organic and intense, with both noble hop bitterness and a malt base complemented by fruit.
-
Leffe Blonde
It is characterized by a unique shine and the color of clarified amber.
Like many other subclasses of the brand, the recipe is rooted in history - it is as close as possible to the original of the past and the hops that were brewed in the abbey.
The beer has a whole bouquet of flavors: vanilla, dried apricots, cloves and even corn.
The aroma from the glass resembles the smell of fresh bread, the rich taste is brightened by a bitter aftertaste. The strength of this drink is 6.6%.
-
Leffe Brune (Bruin)
Unlike the previous brand, the recipe for Leffe Brune is completely the same as the drink that allowed the monks to survive in the epidemic-infested area.
This beer is characterized by a high foam, chestnut color, and 6.6% alcohol content.
The taste of malt is fully developed and decorated with notes of apples, honey and fresh pastries. The deep aftertaste of Belgian yeast only complements the unique bouquet of the abbey ale.
-
Leffe Radieuse
The rich dark beer is distinguished by dried fruits present in the flavor bouquet: prunes, apple, grapes, apricot and even dried banana.
The spicy aroma and elegant aftertaste, which makes it impossible to distinguish a rather high degree of alcohol (8.2%), make this ale one of the most popular products of Leffe.
-
Leffe Ruby
The drink has a deep red color and a strength of only 5%.
The color of the alcohol is given by berries abundantly added to the bouquet: cherries, raspberries, red currants, cherries, and even strawberries.
The aroma, oddly enough, has citrus notes, and the fresh aftertaste is ideal for quenching thirst on a hot summer day.
Interesting facts about Leffe beer
-
During the rampage of epidemics, beer was distributed almost free of charge, and it quickly gained popularity among parishioners.
It went to extremes - people preferred to spend Sundays in the company of ale rather than attending services.
From that moment on, the sale of the intoxicating drink was limited, and the price rose more than 7 times.
-
In the period from 2004 to 2017, the beer brand won more than 17 award medals at international competitions, including gold medals.
And 2015 was marked by a new achievement for the drink - it won first place in the International Belgian Beverage Tasting Competition.
-
Due to the word "Radiant" in the name of Leffe Radieuse, it is associated with the halo of the Virgin Mary.
This juxtaposition still raises a lot of questions among critics: how can a beer that is bloody to the core be associated with purity and integrity?..?
Update: 16.02.2020
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale