Originally published in BEER February 2006.
To read about more beers stocked by Morrisons, see previous post.
ABV 6.5 per cent
Origin Berkel-Enschot, North Brabant, the Netherlands
Buy from Morrisons, other supermarkets and specialist shops
Website www.latrappe.nl
Koningshoeven La Trappe Blond
In October 2005 the number of official Trappist breweries in the world rose from six to seven, with the only such monastery brewing commercially outside Belgium given the right to use the official Trappist seal once more.
Since its first beers emerged in 1885, the history of the brewery at the abbey of Our Lady of Koningshoeven, 3km outside Tilburg, has been complicated. Originally branded Schaapskooi, since 1980 the traditional monastic-style ales have borne the name La Trappe (Koningshoeven in North America), but other styles of beer have been produced under different names.
Twice, secular brewers have been involved: Interbrew’s predecessor operated the brewery between 1969 and 1980 and it was leased to Dutch national brewer Bavaria in 1998, which led to the withdrawing of the Trappist seal by the International Trappist Association – it’s not clear whether the abbey asked for this or was forced to accept it.
In any case, last year the ITA re-examined the deal with Bavaria and found that since the monks maintain control of the La Trappe brands, these beers if not the brewery’s other products should be entitled to display the coveted seal.
It might be heresy to say so, but the blond ale, which replaced a nondescript beer called Enkel (single) and is now stocked by Morrisons in 50cl ceramic crocks, is a good example of how the brews have improved since Bavaria’s involvement.
This bottle conditioned beer pours a slightly cloudy rich golden with a pillowy white head that leaves a good lace. There’s a spicy hop aroma with fennel notes and a slight phenolic character with banana and pineapple.
More fruity banana follows in a dryish and nicely malty palate with tart fruit, spices and vanilla cream emerging. The tangy finish has some pleasing hopsack notes with pineapple and custard. Leffe Blond might be like this if it was made by a brewery that cared.
Look out at specialist retailers for the rest of the range: Dubbel, Tripel, Quadrupel (10 per cent ABV), and a new Trappist wheat beer.
Read more about beers stocked by Morrisons in the next post.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/la-trappe-blond/10380/
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