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La Blonde D'Esquelbecq / Thiriez Blonde
Brasserie Thiriez
- From:
- Brasserie Thiriez
- France
- Style:
- Saison
Ranked #410 - ABV:
- 6.5%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #10,794 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 10%
- Reviews:
- 85
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 07, 2023
- Added:
- Oct 09, 2004
- Wants:
- 22
- Gots:
- 6
Local name - La Blonde d'Esquelbecq
US Import - Thiriez Blonde
Description on US bottle label:
Daniel Thiriezs rustic little brick-and-beam brewery graces the village of Esquelbecq, plunk in the middle of the rolling farm country of French Flanders. With a brewing degree from a Belgian university, and decidedly Belgian-oriented, Monsieur Thiriez makes ales with an earthy, slightly wild character that recalls the early days of farmhouse brewing, before there was a border between France and Belgium. The delicate spicy champagne aromas of this thirst-quenching blonde beauty are quickly followed by a bracing rush of whole fresh hops.
US Import - Thiriez Blonde
Description on US bottle label:
Daniel Thiriezs rustic little brick-and-beam brewery graces the village of Esquelbecq, plunk in the middle of the rolling farm country of French Flanders. With a brewing degree from a Belgian university, and decidedly Belgian-oriented, Monsieur Thiriez makes ales with an earthy, slightly wild character that recalls the early days of farmhouse brewing, before there was a border between France and Belgium. The delicate spicy champagne aromas of this thirst-quenching blonde beauty are quickly followed by a bracing rush of whole fresh hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by meathookjones:
Reviewed by meathookjones from Virginia
4.63/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.63/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
750ml. Cloudy golden orange with a huge head that collapse into an island of foam in the center of the glass. It leaves about as much lace as possible on the glass. Nice floral hoppy aroma with a goof amount of funky farmy notes. A bit spicy and also some sweet fruit mixed in. Sweet fruits mixed with a great spicy hoppiness over farmy flavors. Some pepper and other spices along with some earthy tones. Finishes up with a light hop spiciness and some mild fruit notes. Fairly light body but fitting, crisp and refreshing with good carbonation. I could drink this all day simply wonderful stuff.
Apr 06, 2006More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.98/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750 ml green bottle, Lot 985, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 6.5%. Nearly clear blonde colour, large white head. Pleasant aroma of malts, spicy yeast and stewed yellow fruits. Soft mouthfeel. The flavour has distinct notes of spicy yeast, stewed fruits and herbal hops. Well balanced.
Jan 25, 2022Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
4.11/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.11/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Delicious.
My copy possibly is a bit past its prime; but the only real clue is that my label and the label below is different than the one on their website. As true with the two other Thiriez ales I've been fortunate to have, they'd be better fresher. I'm guessing the price makes Thiriez sit on the shelve until a Euro Saison Head sees it (credit to Stoned Trippin for naming that niche.) I'm guessing that is the price Shelton Bros needs to charge to bother with the Illinois ABC (but that is just my dig.)
As for the Blonde... Looks still offer an inviting foam that settles on a amber-pale body with just enough protein swirls to stay lively. Smells of earthiness and yeast at work. Tastes introduce the hops at the end. But this is still all soft in the mouth with a dry finish... could be a nearby champagne influence. Paired well with a medley of appetizers, but wanted another one to share with friends at dinner.
I finally found the English button on Thiriez' website. For the record, the brewer considers this a biere de garde and we probably should consider that if we want to keep the style alive... or at least separated from its kissing cousin saison. At any rate, this website describes a very sweet family brewhouse. I might even put it on my BBBL (Belgian Brewery Bucket List) since I don't have one on the list that is south of the border. I'm assuming there are great restaurants nearby.
Feb 22, 2020My copy possibly is a bit past its prime; but the only real clue is that my label and the label below is different than the one on their website. As true with the two other Thiriez ales I've been fortunate to have, they'd be better fresher. I'm guessing the price makes Thiriez sit on the shelve until a Euro Saison Head sees it (credit to Stoned Trippin for naming that niche.) I'm guessing that is the price Shelton Bros needs to charge to bother with the Illinois ABC (but that is just my dig.)
As for the Blonde... Looks still offer an inviting foam that settles on a amber-pale body with just enough protein swirls to stay lively. Smells of earthiness and yeast at work. Tastes introduce the hops at the end. But this is still all soft in the mouth with a dry finish... could be a nearby champagne influence. Paired well with a medley of appetizers, but wanted another one to share with friends at dinner.
I finally found the English button on Thiriez' website. For the record, the brewer considers this a biere de garde and we probably should consider that if we want to keep the style alive... or at least separated from its kissing cousin saison. At any rate, this website describes a very sweet family brewhouse. I might even put it on my BBBL (Belgian Brewery Bucket List) since I don't have one on the list that is south of the border. I'm assuming there are great restaurants nearby.
Rated by WoostaBia from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Well crafted beer. Very balanced- light hoppiness, light belgian farmhouse yeast noted, great soft mouthfeel.
Goto Blonde Ale.
Mar 12, 2018Goto Blonde Ale.
Reviewed by captaincoffee from Virginia
3.87/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
750ml from La Cave a Bulles. Pours a touch hazy pale gold with a big big head that has staying power and leaves good lace. Nose is muted for the style with some honey, mineral, and yeast (but falls short of the yeasty character I'm looking for here). Taste is light and clean, leaning towards the crisp biscuit and slight honey rather than the yeasty spice. Like the nose, a bit too light. Fine mouthfeel like champagne. Overall, a good beer that simply lacked character.
Jun 07, 2017Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A nice classic riff on the style.
Pours a hazed golden orange with visible carb trails rising. Chunky lace all around the glass, with foam resembling pillowy mounds of mashed potatoes from Uncle Phil's dreams. Long lasting coverage, looks the part to a T.
Aroma is doughy with honeyed pale malt and light herbal tea leaf hops.
Taste is a little bit more herbal with a light hop earthiness, sweet malt and a lightly bitter dry aftertaste.
Crisp and clean, alternating sweetness upfront with a drying finish, ample carbonation. Rustic.
Overall this is a pretty classic saison. After having the Extra last night, I can say I prefer Extra, but the Blonde is closely related and worth a try on it's own.
Dec 15, 2016Pours a hazed golden orange with visible carb trails rising. Chunky lace all around the glass, with foam resembling pillowy mounds of mashed potatoes from Uncle Phil's dreams. Long lasting coverage, looks the part to a T.
Aroma is doughy with honeyed pale malt and light herbal tea leaf hops.
Taste is a little bit more herbal with a light hop earthiness, sweet malt and a lightly bitter dry aftertaste.
Crisp and clean, alternating sweetness upfront with a drying finish, ample carbonation. Rustic.
Overall this is a pretty classic saison. After having the Extra last night, I can say I prefer Extra, but the Blonde is closely related and worth a try on it's own.
Reviewed by Jerseyislandbeer from Jersey
4.12/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 330ml bottle found on my trip through Cassel last summer to Belgium. I heard that the ABV has changed to 6.0, well as this is a old bottle it still 6.5. Pours a hazy golden blond colour with a white head. Aroma is strong of summer fruits & flowers and with almost a perfume, also hints of spices, grain and some sourness detectable. Taste has summer fruits as well as sage & rosemary, slightly sweet flowers, spices, grains & hints of sourness. Medium bodied, strong carbonation. Finish is full of hopped bitterness & sweet fruits.
Aug 27, 2016
La Blonde D'Esquelbecq / Thiriez Blonde from Brasserie Thiriez
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
153 ratings
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