Val-Dieu Blond | Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Brewed by:
Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Belgium | website
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Bierman9 on 03-04-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 113 | Ratings: 193
3.93/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Other than the Trappists, Abbaye du Val-Dieu is the only abbey to have a working brewery (per MJ.)
These Cistercians also too a liking to MJ and he to them.
Perhaps I Had this Blonde four times and usually in a mini-tulip from Val-Dieu. (I have two of these glasses from a sampler pack and very much like to use them both side by side to compare ales.)
MJ's "Great beers of Belgium" called this Blonde "crisp and clean, with an interplay of nutty maltiness, hoppy bitterness and earthy yeasty (faintly lemony?) acidity."
★ 523 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Other than the Trappists, Abbaye du Val-Dieu is the only abbey to have a working brewery (per MJ.)
These Cistercians also too a liking to MJ and he to them.
Perhaps I Had this Blonde four times and usually in a mini-tulip from Val-Dieu. (I have two of these glasses from a sampler pack and very much like to use them both side by side to compare ales.)
MJ's "Great beers of Belgium" called this Blonde "crisp and clean, with an interplay of nutty maltiness, hoppy bitterness and earthy yeasty (faintly lemony?) acidity."
★ 523 characters
3.21/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle 330 ml | Best before end of 05-10-2017 | Bar code 5 413977 000013
Served in original Val-Dieu chalice
Appearance: Light yellow, Hazy [8 EBC] | 20 mm white foam head (middle density, not stable) | Almost no bubbles
Smell: Malt, Spicy a bit
Taste: Watery, Slightly bitter aftertaste, Not carbonated [Bitterness 18 IBU]
Mouthfeel: Light, watery
Overall: I would recommend to drink it well chilled with deep sips
★ 416 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle 330 ml | Best before end of 05-10-2017 | Bar code 5 413977 000013
Served in original Val-Dieu chalice
Appearance: Light yellow, Hazy [8 EBC] | 20 mm white foam head (middle density, not stable) | Almost no bubbles
Smell: Malt, Spicy a bit
Taste: Watery, Slightly bitter aftertaste, Not carbonated [Bitterness 18 IBU]
Mouthfeel: Light, watery
Overall: I would recommend to drink it well chilled with deep sips
★ 416 characters
4.35/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
11.2 oz. stubby brown bottle poured into tulip
L: pale yellow, mostly clear with just a slight haziness, big head of white foam, about 2 inches and some of the coolest sticking you'll ever see; thousands of bubbles are churning in the glass, it's like nothing I've ever seen, and it's pushing up a constant 1/8- to 1/4-inch head of white foam that's lacing all the way down -- a perfect show
S: musty sweet fruit ... very Belgian, almost abbey ale sweet but a little lemon peel underneath; the earthy/musty aroma isn't quite on a farmhouse/brett level, not really that tart, but it does give the nose a nice complexity; hint of ginger; biggest thing is the musty earth aroma that subdues the sweetness ... it doesn't pop or explode but it's still incredibly nice, restrained and elegant
T: light malt sweetness and fruity; a pinch of clove, ginger ... not overly spicy but enough to detect; slight peach; as it warms, takes on a bigger clove taste, very tripel-like
F: creamy ... all that activity keeps a constant little head on top and it makes for a very soft but medium-weight feel ... a bit like a hefeweizen
O: really good brew, one I wouldn't mind revisiting from time to time; it's much sweeter than some others in its class with no major brettanomyces character that I can tell, but there is a little spicy flavor here and there, mostly a tripel-like clove.
★ 1,376 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
11.2 oz. stubby brown bottle poured into tulip
L: pale yellow, mostly clear with just a slight haziness, big head of white foam, about 2 inches and some of the coolest sticking you'll ever see; thousands of bubbles are churning in the glass, it's like nothing I've ever seen, and it's pushing up a constant 1/8- to 1/4-inch head of white foam that's lacing all the way down -- a perfect show
S: musty sweet fruit ... very Belgian, almost abbey ale sweet but a little lemon peel underneath; the earthy/musty aroma isn't quite on a farmhouse/brett level, not really that tart, but it does give the nose a nice complexity; hint of ginger; biggest thing is the musty earth aroma that subdues the sweetness ... it doesn't pop or explode but it's still incredibly nice, restrained and elegant
T: light malt sweetness and fruity; a pinch of clove, ginger ... not overly spicy but enough to detect; slight peach; as it warms, takes on a bigger clove taste, very tripel-like
F: creamy ... all that activity keeps a constant little head on top and it makes for a very soft but medium-weight feel ... a bit like a hefeweizen
O: really good brew, one I wouldn't mind revisiting from time to time; it's much sweeter than some others in its class with no major brettanomyces character that I can tell, but there is a little spicy flavor here and there, mostly a tripel-like clove.
★ 1,376 characters
3/5 rDev -22.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is an okay run of the mill beer. Look and smell are fine but nothing special. The taste and feel don't invoke any special feelings. Overall nothing special in my opinion.
★ 175 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is an okay run of the mill beer. Look and smell are fine but nothing special. The taste and feel don't invoke any special feelings. Overall nothing special in my opinion.
★ 175 characters
3.93/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
LOOK: A golden color with a soapy white head. Just a slight haze but pours free from sediment. The bottle is several years old.
SMELL; Pear and clove yeast notes, medicinal, musty. Dusty malts. Pretty clean yet distinctly rustic and Belgian at the same time.
TASTE & FEEL: Lively and fruity on the palate, some pear, apple and honey dew melon come through clearly. Clove and lemon notes with some chalky yeast and powdered aspirin. Hay and near farmhouse quality, then slightly tangy before the sweet malts take over. Herbal hops and bitterness are slight but do dry the beer out.
OVERALL: A nice example of a Belgian Pale Ale. Its simple, clean and to the point. Hops have faded with time, but it let the yeast, malt and fringe elements of the beer come out more. Charming little Belgian brew that is quite refreshing.
★ 836 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
LOOK: A golden color with a soapy white head. Just a slight haze but pours free from sediment. The bottle is several years old.
SMELL; Pear and clove yeast notes, medicinal, musty. Dusty malts. Pretty clean yet distinctly rustic and Belgian at the same time.
TASTE & FEEL: Lively and fruity on the palate, some pear, apple and honey dew melon come through clearly. Clove and lemon notes with some chalky yeast and powdered aspirin. Hay and near farmhouse quality, then slightly tangy before the sweet malts take over. Herbal hops and bitterness are slight but do dry the beer out.
OVERALL: A nice example of a Belgian Pale Ale. Its simple, clean and to the point. Hops have faded with time, but it let the yeast, malt and fringe elements of the beer come out more. Charming little Belgian brew that is quite refreshing.
★ 836 characters
4/5 rDev +3.4%
300ml bottle, poured into Piraat tulip,
A: Pours a hazy amber, solid white frothy head, effervescent.
S: Honey, light malt, faint yeast, citrus and banana.
T: Smells better than taste, honey, molasses, malt forward and minimal hops and clean taste with minimal aftertaste.
M: Very light, very carbonated, sweet without being syrupy but minimal mouthfeel.
O: Not bad, a very light, fizzy honey flavored blond ale, almost like a lager in its effervescence and light body and taste. Probably a good drink in the summer, low ABV. I prefer their darker, stronger ales, but this is good for the style.
★ 603 characters
300ml bottle, poured into Piraat tulip,
A: Pours a hazy amber, solid white frothy head, effervescent.
S: Honey, light malt, faint yeast, citrus and banana.
T: Smells better than taste, honey, molasses, malt forward and minimal hops and clean taste with minimal aftertaste.
M: Very light, very carbonated, sweet without being syrupy but minimal mouthfeel.
O: Not bad, a very light, fizzy honey flavored blond ale, almost like a lager in its effervescence and light body and taste. Probably a good drink in the summer, low ABV. I prefer their darker, stronger ales, but this is good for the style.
★ 603 characters
3.5/5 rDev -9.6%
Poured into snifter.
Hazy amber beer with nice white cap, leaving some laces. Aroma, as usually fo the brewery is weak, floral and honey. Solid body of yeasts, biscuits, fruits. Not very interesting, to be honest.
★ 214 characters
Poured into snifter.
Hazy amber beer with nice white cap, leaving some laces. Aroma, as usually fo the brewery is weak, floral and honey. Solid body of yeasts, biscuits, fruits. Not very interesting, to be honest.
★ 214 characters
3.86/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
300ml bottle, poured into La Chouffe tulip, consumed during Belgium’s FIFA WC quarter final
with Argentina.
A: Pale golden, slightly hazy, one finger rocky head, good retention, very lively
looking, lots of bubbles.
S: Yeast, molasses, phenols, starch.
T: Follows the nose, slightly watery, sour citrus fruits, on the bitter side.
M: Crisp, well carbonated, light body.
O: A well madeBelgian blonde/pale ale, at six percent its on the
light side but a decent enough mid session beer.
★ 493 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
300ml bottle, poured into La Chouffe tulip, consumed during Belgium’s FIFA WC quarter final
with Argentina.
A: Pale golden, slightly hazy, one finger rocky head, good retention, very lively
looking, lots of bubbles.
S: Yeast, molasses, phenols, starch.
T: Follows the nose, slightly watery, sour citrus fruits, on the bitter side.
M: Crisp, well carbonated, light body.
O: A well madeBelgian blonde/pale ale, at six percent its on the
light side but a decent enough mid session beer.
★ 493 characters
4.05/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Rocky head like a boulder that trails over amber-tinged blonde.
Phenolic nose - wax + earthy yeast, plus oily herbal leaf and flower nectar.
Clean lagery grain like baguette crust, slight yellow apple skin esters, a buttery hit, apple pie spice yeast and spicy hops. Tingly linger.
Fizzy, crisp, light.
Zippy and clean - a super summer quencher. Balanced and attenuated, but instead of complexity, the taste shifts with each sip - fruit, spice, grain. Incredibly well crafted for being so simple.
★ 497 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Rocky head like a boulder that trails over amber-tinged blonde.
Phenolic nose - wax + earthy yeast, plus oily herbal leaf and flower nectar.
Clean lagery grain like baguette crust, slight yellow apple skin esters, a buttery hit, apple pie spice yeast and spicy hops. Tingly linger.
Fizzy, crisp, light.
Zippy and clean - a super summer quencher. Balanced and attenuated, but instead of complexity, the taste shifts with each sip - fruit, spice, grain. Incredibly well crafted for being so simple.
★ 497 characters
3.75/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark golden orange hue with a small short lived white head. Aroma of sweet ripe fruit apples pears, Belgian yeast with some biscuit malt. Taste of biscuit malt, Belgian yeast, sweet fruity notes, some mild citrus, light bitterness. A medium body, light crisp mouth feel with mild carbonation on the Palate. Finish is of biscuit malt, Belgian yeast, pleasantly fruity with a slightly dry ending. Overall a good, delightful drinking ale.
★ 443 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark golden orange hue with a small short lived white head. Aroma of sweet ripe fruit apples pears, Belgian yeast with some biscuit malt. Taste of biscuit malt, Belgian yeast, sweet fruity notes, some mild citrus, light bitterness. A medium body, light crisp mouth feel with mild carbonation on the Palate. Finish is of biscuit malt, Belgian yeast, pleasantly fruity with a slightly dry ending. Overall a good, delightful drinking ale.
★ 443 characters
3.8/5 rDev -1.8%
I enjoyed this at Moeder Lambic served in a goblet chilled
The color is golden with good clarity and cloud-like white head with thick 3 fingers and average sized bead with thick lace pattern left nad good retention. The smell is earthy and grainy, almost hay-like with some malt and yeast spice with phenolic aroma and the grain smell is raw. The feel is very good wiht mild belgian yeast spice and light sweetness with a gentle creamy texture and moderately low carbonation with peppery tinge and mild alcohol in the finish which is dry.
The taste is very malty with yeasty flavor supporting that brings a sort of peppery dry aspect and spice/phenolic element with slight sweet element from the malt which also has a light toasted taste.There is a mild amount of alcohol in the finish flavor-wise. Overall a very good Belgian blond with spicy yeast and moderate strength -very quaffable.
★ 892 characters
I enjoyed this at Moeder Lambic served in a goblet chilled
The color is golden with good clarity and cloud-like white head with thick 3 fingers and average sized bead with thick lace pattern left nad good retention. The smell is earthy and grainy, almost hay-like with some malt and yeast spice with phenolic aroma and the grain smell is raw. The feel is very good wiht mild belgian yeast spice and light sweetness with a gentle creamy texture and moderately low carbonation with peppery tinge and mild alcohol in the finish which is dry.
The taste is very malty with yeasty flavor supporting that brings a sort of peppery dry aspect and spice/phenolic element with slight sweet element from the malt which also has a light toasted taste.There is a mild amount of alcohol in the finish flavor-wise. Overall a very good Belgian blond with spicy yeast and moderate strength -very quaffable.
★ 892 characters
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Presentation: Stubby 11.2 oz. brown bottle, served in an oversized wine glass.
Appearance: Cloudy, pale gold color. Develops a two finger bright white head that goes down but remains all the way to the end. It leaves some great lacing.
Smell: The scent is sweet, fruity, mainly banana. There's some nice herbal and malt notes, as well as some yeast in the background.
Taste: A fruit flavor is dominant. It has spice and herbal flavors that make for a very complex and appealing package. There's alcohol and a tiny malt sweetness at the end, with some bitterness to balance everything out.
Mouthfeel: It's smooth, creamy and medium bodied. It has mildly high carbonation that's not overwhelming but still present.
Overall: Very drinkable and complex. It has a lot of flavors and scents, but also a simple sweetness, balanced perfectly by a hint of bitterness and an alcoholic character, that just make it a great beer.
★ 922 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Presentation: Stubby 11.2 oz. brown bottle, served in an oversized wine glass.
Appearance: Cloudy, pale gold color. Develops a two finger bright white head that goes down but remains all the way to the end. It leaves some great lacing.
Smell: The scent is sweet, fruity, mainly banana. There's some nice herbal and malt notes, as well as some yeast in the background.
Taste: A fruit flavor is dominant. It has spice and herbal flavors that make for a very complex and appealing package. There's alcohol and a tiny malt sweetness at the end, with some bitterness to balance everything out.
Mouthfeel: It's smooth, creamy and medium bodied. It has mildly high carbonation that's not overwhelming but still present.
Overall: Very drinkable and complex. It has a lot of flavors and scents, but also a simple sweetness, balanced perfectly by a hint of bitterness and an alcoholic character, that just make it a great beer.
★ 922 characters
4.1/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle into chalice, no bottle dating. Pours fairly cloudy golden amber color with a nice 1-2 finger fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass, with a nice amount of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of apple, pear, apricot, grape, floral, grass, honey, bread, candi sugar, pepper, and earthy yeast esters. Very nice aromas with good complexity, strength, and balance of fruity/malty notes. Taste of pear, apple, grape, apricot, floral, grass, bready grain, honey, pepper, earth, herbal, candi sugar, and spicy yeast esters. Lingering notes of light fruits, floral, grass, honey, candi sugar, bready grain, herbal, earth, and yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of flavors; with a nice malt/spicy ester balance; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a lightly slick, very crisp, and prickly mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Belgian blond style. Damn nice flavor complexity and balance of fruity/spiciness; and very smooth to drink. This was a highly enjoyable offering.
★ 1,273 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle into chalice, no bottle dating. Pours fairly cloudy golden amber color with a nice 1-2 finger fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass, with a nice amount of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of apple, pear, apricot, grape, floral, grass, honey, bread, candi sugar, pepper, and earthy yeast esters. Very nice aromas with good complexity, strength, and balance of fruity/malty notes. Taste of pear, apple, grape, apricot, floral, grass, bready grain, honey, pepper, earth, herbal, candi sugar, and spicy yeast esters. Lingering notes of light fruits, floral, grass, honey, candi sugar, bready grain, herbal, earth, and yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of flavors; with a nice malt/spicy ester balance; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a lightly slick, very crisp, and prickly mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Belgian blond style. Damn nice flavor complexity and balance of fruity/spiciness; and very smooth to drink. This was a highly enjoyable offering.
★ 1,273 characters
4.13/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - Pours a nice golden color with an inch thick, creamy white head. Leaves a very nice lacing.
Smell - Has a somewhat musty smell at first.. Followed by a subtle sweetness, and very bready.
Taste - Has a very nice sweetness to it. Earthy and floral hops, lemon, apple, oak, grass, alcohol, and a slightly dry finish. The bitterness is very mild.
Mouthfeel - Light bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall - This was a pretty good beer
★ 447 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - Pours a nice golden color with an inch thick, creamy white head. Leaves a very nice lacing.
Smell - Has a somewhat musty smell at first.. Followed by a subtle sweetness, and very bready.
Taste - Has a very nice sweetness to it. Earthy and floral hops, lemon, apple, oak, grass, alcohol, and a slightly dry finish. The bitterness is very mild.
Mouthfeel - Light bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall - This was a pretty good beer
★ 447 characters
3.8/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Belgian Beer Shop.com. The beer is golden blond and clear. Large white head. The aroma is typical for a Belgian abbey blond: spicy, lots of yeast, fruity accents. The taste is very similar with yeast, fruits, sweetness and bitterness well balanced. Overall an easy to drink blond of good quality.
★ 308 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Belgian Beer Shop.com. The beer is golden blond and clear. Large white head. The aroma is typical for a Belgian abbey blond: spicy, lots of yeast, fruity accents. The taste is very similar with yeast, fruits, sweetness and bitterness well balanced. Overall an easy to drink blond of good quality.
★ 308 characters
3.78/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Stubby 11.2oz brown bottle poured into a matching Val-Dieu goblet. Admittedly, I received this sample pack as a gift one Christmas season a couple years ago. The best before date is 30/07/11 whoops? The brew pours a brilliant color of pale yellow to golden and perfectly clear. Rising bubbles of carbonation stream to the surface and support the white cap with a firm finger that faded from the initial 2 fingers of white froth. As the cap fades, it leaves a full curtain of white lace sticking to the glass. A swirl isnt even necessary as the rising carbonation emits enough aromatics and head retention.
The aroma is sweet like a pale sort of candy sugar mixed with vanilla and candy corn. A bit of fresh grainy quality is still present that gives a bit of straw character to the nose. More sniffs reveal a bit of herbal to grassy hop character and very mild alcohol inclusion of fruity to floral esters. As it warms up, it gets a bit herbal. In all honesty, even though I let this one get "over the hill" and expired, it still smells fantastic and I cant imagine a fresh bottle being any better than this.
The taste includes a bit of that previously described candy corn sweetness that is mildly like vanilla and pale belgian candy sugar/syrup. A yeasty spice of clove is present blending into a bit of fresh grain quality before the onset of some herbal to fruity and floral hops/alcohol esters emerge. This is a pretty tight and enjoyable package for a belgian blonde.
This is a medium to light bodied brew with a crisp snappy finish to it. The carbonation is effervescent and helps move the flavors across the palate and keep it bright and uplifting. I never would have guessed the best by date was more than a year ago. Pretty good stuff here and worth a try if you enjoy belgian blondes.
★ 1,799 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Stubby 11.2oz brown bottle poured into a matching Val-Dieu goblet. Admittedly, I received this sample pack as a gift one Christmas season a couple years ago. The best before date is 30/07/11 whoops? The brew pours a brilliant color of pale yellow to golden and perfectly clear. Rising bubbles of carbonation stream to the surface and support the white cap with a firm finger that faded from the initial 2 fingers of white froth. As the cap fades, it leaves a full curtain of white lace sticking to the glass. A swirl isnt even necessary as the rising carbonation emits enough aromatics and head retention.
The aroma is sweet like a pale sort of candy sugar mixed with vanilla and candy corn. A bit of fresh grainy quality is still present that gives a bit of straw character to the nose. More sniffs reveal a bit of herbal to grassy hop character and very mild alcohol inclusion of fruity to floral esters. As it warms up, it gets a bit herbal. In all honesty, even though I let this one get "over the hill" and expired, it still smells fantastic and I cant imagine a fresh bottle being any better than this.
The taste includes a bit of that previously described candy corn sweetness that is mildly like vanilla and pale belgian candy sugar/syrup. A yeasty spice of clove is present blending into a bit of fresh grain quality before the onset of some herbal to fruity and floral hops/alcohol esters emerge. This is a pretty tight and enjoyable package for a belgian blonde.
This is a medium to light bodied brew with a crisp snappy finish to it. The carbonation is effervescent and helps move the flavors across the palate and keep it bright and uplifting. I never would have guessed the best by date was more than a year ago. Pretty good stuff here and worth a try if you enjoy belgian blondes.
★ 1,799 characters
3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The beer was a pale, hazy golden color that produced a nice light white head, which was not well retained, which was odd given the carbonation level of the beer.
The beer gave off a nice bready aroma with hints of some fruit sweetness and a grass quality as well.
The taste of the beer followed the nose nicely. A solid Belgian yeast/grain backbone with hints of lemon and some earthiness, which finished with a tart, dry taste.
The beer was smooth and easy to drink. The only real quality that I did not care of the beer was that after it was poured, it almost seemed to go flat. I could not recreate the head, which was odd, given the level of carbonation. Overall, a good beer and perhaps one that I will try again.
★ 721 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The beer was a pale, hazy golden color that produced a nice light white head, which was not well retained, which was odd given the carbonation level of the beer.
The beer gave off a nice bready aroma with hints of some fruit sweetness and a grass quality as well.
The taste of the beer followed the nose nicely. A solid Belgian yeast/grain backbone with hints of lemon and some earthiness, which finished with a tart, dry taste.
The beer was smooth and easy to drink. The only real quality that I did not care of the beer was that after it was poured, it almost seemed to go flat. I could not recreate the head, which was odd, given the level of carbonation. Overall, a good beer and perhaps one that I will try again.
★ 721 characters
4.5/5 rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A beautiful blonde! Soft aromas and smooth, fruity taste. Creamy, silky head coats the glass, floating atop a nice hazy, golden body. Body and mouthfeel are right in the zone, making this a near perfect example of the style. Well played, Val-Dieu, well played!
★ 260 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A beautiful blonde! Soft aromas and smooth, fruity taste. Creamy, silky head coats the glass, floating atop a nice hazy, golden body. Body and mouthfeel are right in the zone, making this a near perfect example of the style. Well played, Val-Dieu, well played!
★ 260 characters
3.41/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pale gold with a small, fluffy white head.
Some bready yeast, grassy notes, spices and a little lemon in the smell. I almost have to dive into the goblet before I smell much though.
A slightly pungent yeast flavour is a constant in the taste, with grassy hops, lemon and a little spiciness rounding it out. A little watery but good carbonation and easily drinkable.
I can't remember how much I paid for this, but if it's cheap it's a nice session beer. Not too special but not bad either.
★ 489 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pale gold with a small, fluffy white head.
Some bready yeast, grassy notes, spices and a little lemon in the smell. I almost have to dive into the goblet before I smell much though.
A slightly pungent yeast flavour is a constant in the taste, with grassy hops, lemon and a little spiciness rounding it out. A little watery but good carbonation and easily drinkable.
I can't remember how much I paid for this, but if it's cheap it's a nice session beer. Not too special but not bad either.
★ 489 characters
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at Moeder Lambic Fontainas, served in a Val-Dieu goblet.
A: Clear gold body under a fine, persistent white head. Ok lace.
S: Bready, fruity, and estery. Some pineapple, grasss, and flowers. Nice.
T: A bit less fruity and more dry - some earthiness joins the floral notes, and dry grassiness dominates on the clean, chalky finish. Enjoyable.
M: Soft, well-carbonated, medium-bodied. Nice.
O: Very good BPA. Extremely refreshing, but with plenty of interesting flavors as well.
Cheers!
★ 496 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at Moeder Lambic Fontainas, served in a Val-Dieu goblet.
A: Clear gold body under a fine, persistent white head. Ok lace.
S: Bready, fruity, and estery. Some pineapple, grasss, and flowers. Nice.
T: A bit less fruity and more dry - some earthiness joins the floral notes, and dry grassiness dominates on the clean, chalky finish. Enjoyable.
M: Soft, well-carbonated, medium-bodied. Nice.
O: Very good BPA. Extremely refreshing, but with plenty of interesting flavors as well.
Cheers!
★ 496 characters
3.41/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a cloudy gold with a pillowy white head.
S: Aromas of caramel, biscuits, and grassy hops dominate the nose. As the beer warms, spicy, yeasty aromas gradually make their presence known.
T: Notes of lemon, grass, straw, caramel, woody spice, biscuits, herbs, and pungent yeast wash across the palate. The finish is straight-forward with a pleasant mixture of biscuit and grassy, herbal flavors.
M: Medium bodied and dry, though a bit watery. Carbonation is prickly and spiky, imparting a cleansing quality to the mouth. This ale is quite drinkable, but to me, it feels a bit sterile.
O: This is a neat, tidy little Belgian pale that hits all the high notes for the style. My problem with it is that it comes across as being too dry, too sterile, and really just too predictable. Maybe I'm beginning to tire of this style, but in my opinion, Val-Dieu Blond does everything expected of it and nothing more.
★ 915 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a cloudy gold with a pillowy white head.
S: Aromas of caramel, biscuits, and grassy hops dominate the nose. As the beer warms, spicy, yeasty aromas gradually make their presence known.
T: Notes of lemon, grass, straw, caramel, woody spice, biscuits, herbs, and pungent yeast wash across the palate. The finish is straight-forward with a pleasant mixture of biscuit and grassy, herbal flavors.
M: Medium bodied and dry, though a bit watery. Carbonation is prickly and spiky, imparting a cleansing quality to the mouth. This ale is quite drinkable, but to me, it feels a bit sterile.
O: This is a neat, tidy little Belgian pale that hits all the high notes for the style. My problem with it is that it comes across as being too dry, too sterile, and really just too predictable. Maybe I'm beginning to tire of this style, but in my opinion, Val-Dieu Blond does everything expected of it and nothing more.
★ 915 characters
3.85/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2oz Bottle
Appearance - The beer pours a slighty hazy yellow/amber colour with a fairly large white fizzy/frothy head. There is an average amount of carbonation, and there is some decent lacing. The head lasted for about 6 minutes before it was gone. There are also lots of yeast chunks floating around.
Smell - Bread, grains, lemon, green grapes, wood
Taste & Mouth - The beer has an above average amount of carbonation and I can taste bread/grains mixed with lemon and green grapes. I can also taste yeast and a bit of a woodiness. I ends with a yeasty and earthy slightly tart aftertaste.
Drink - The beer definitely improved as it got warmer in my glass. I don't think I've ever seen some much yeast/sediment floating around in a beer before.. It's an above average beer but not something that blew my mind. I'm glass I tried it, but would get something else next time.
★ 880 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2oz Bottle
Appearance - The beer pours a slighty hazy yellow/amber colour with a fairly large white fizzy/frothy head. There is an average amount of carbonation, and there is some decent lacing. The head lasted for about 6 minutes before it was gone. There are also lots of yeast chunks floating around.
Smell - Bread, grains, lemon, green grapes, wood
Taste & Mouth - The beer has an above average amount of carbonation and I can taste bread/grains mixed with lemon and green grapes. I can also taste yeast and a bit of a woodiness. I ends with a yeasty and earthy slightly tart aftertaste.
Drink - The beer definitely improved as it got warmer in my glass. I don't think I've ever seen some much yeast/sediment floating around in a beer before.. It's an above average beer but not something that blew my mind. I'm glass I tried it, but would get something else next time.
★ 880 characters
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a cloudy light gold w/ a huge, frothy head that died slow and left lace sheath rings all down the glass. A citrusy and tart aroma, not overly tart but some minor sour fruit, plush fruit as well - like a white wine with yeast...typical Belgian pale ale smell. Taste is more of the same as I just can't put it down- smooth, light, easy to drink, the beer has a balance of pear, apple, tropical fruit, citric, sour notes - and it's sharp too w/ good carbonation that leads to a crisp finish. Some sweetness gets in there as well - overall just a well balanced and interesting beer that is a must.
★ 600 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a cloudy light gold w/ a huge, frothy head that died slow and left lace sheath rings all down the glass. A citrusy and tart aroma, not overly tart but some minor sour fruit, plush fruit as well - like a white wine with yeast...typical Belgian pale ale smell. Taste is more of the same as I just can't put it down- smooth, light, easy to drink, the beer has a balance of pear, apple, tropical fruit, citric, sour notes - and it's sharp too w/ good carbonation that leads to a crisp finish. Some sweetness gets in there as well - overall just a well balanced and interesting beer that is a must.
★ 600 characters
4.42/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Slightly cloudy for a blonde. Medium head with strong finger and medium lacing. Smell is subtle with hints of fruit, my allergies are acting up so its a bit tough to get a good feel of the aroma. Very refreshing to drink; this is even better than the St. Bernadus witbier in terms of a nice summer drinking beer. I just hope I can find this somewhere. I got this in a gift pack. Carbonation is pleasant not to much. This is one of the best blondes I have ever had.
★ 464 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Slightly cloudy for a blonde. Medium head with strong finger and medium lacing. Smell is subtle with hints of fruit, my allergies are acting up so its a bit tough to get a good feel of the aroma. Very refreshing to drink; this is even better than the St. Bernadus witbier in terms of a nice summer drinking beer. I just hope I can find this somewhere. I got this in a gift pack. Carbonation is pleasant not to much. This is one of the best blondes I have ever had.
★ 464 characters
Val-Dieu Blond from Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu
3.87
out of 5
based on 193 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Hazy light yellow colour with a steady head of foam that keeps the surface covered the entire session. Nice gentle smell of light fruits like tangerine and peach, together with some hints of pine and malt. The taste is a balanced combination of light fruits from the esters, toast from the malts and resin and lemon zest from the hops. The tard tends too dominate a bit too much near the end though. The mouth feel is smooth, albeit a bit watery from time to time. Typical for this particular style: once again, a good belgian pale ale, once again, not a beer I'll have fond memories about. This category has a lot of fine beers, but lacks real standouts.
★ 655 characters