History
Living in the Abbey brewing tradition, lies a sect of beer known as the Belgian Blondes and Strong Golden Ales. These beers are seductive, powerful, and deceptive. Known for being bright and snappy like a Pilsner, but complex like a Tripel, the Strong Blondes live in the 6.5%-7.5% range, while the Strong Goldens makes its way up to 8.5%. These beers are dry, slightly fruity, spicy, and have a soft pear flavor. When bottle conditioned they are bright and sparkly like Champagne and the foam bursts in your mouth as you sip.
Tasting Notes
Bright blonde topped with pillowy white foam. Aromas of light clove, pear, and apricot. Flavors of sweet and spice melding, with a touch of tangerine. Finishes with an assertive bitterness, prickly carbonation, while leaving the mouth dry and clean.
Food Pairings
Great with salty and fatty hors d’oeuvres such as prosciutto, jamon serrano and gravlax. Excellent with pastas such as capellini alla cecca, spaghetti agli e olio, and gnocchi con pesto di Levanto. Delicate fish with a squeeze of lemon or simply prepared fattier fish: sardines, fresh anchovies and Spanish mackerel. Bitter and hearty greens such as Belgian endives, terviso, and radicchio. Raw oysters, steamed clams, and of course mussels and frites.
