Leffe
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- This article is about Leffe, the beer brand. For the Italian commune, see Leffe, Lombardy.
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| Type | Beer |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | InBev Belgium |
| Distributor | Anheuser–Busch InBev |
| Country of origin | Belgium |
| Website | http://www.leffe.com |
Leffe /ˈlɛf/ is a beer brand owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser–Busch InBev brewery giant. There are several beers in the range, and they are marketed as Abbey beers. They are brewed in large quantities and are widely distributed.
History
The abbey was founded in 1152 on the Meuse River in the province of Namur in southern Belgium. Like many monasteries across Europe, the Premonstratensian (Norbertine) canons of the abbey brewed ale. Using knowledge passed from generation to generation and ingredients found in the wild near the abbey, the canons developed a unique ale, brewed only at the abbey.
The abbey has been damaged by both natural and human circumstances over the years: it was destroyed by a flood in 1460, a fire swept through the settlement in 1466, billeted troops damaged the brewery in 1735, and the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1794 resulted in it being abandoned and the brewery destroyed. The canons returned in 1902.
In 1952 the production of beer was continued after a partnership with the Flemish based Lootvoet brewery in Overijse. This brewery was later bought by the international beer company Interbrew (now InBev). Leffe was then brewed in Mont-Saint-Guibert until Interbrew closed that brewery. Now all Leffe brands are brewed at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven.
The 1952 agreement between the Leffe abbey and a commercial brewery is said to have been the first of its kind (royalties continue to be paid to the abbey). Today, Belgium's beer category called "abbey" is thriving - with several beers brewed under similar licenses to Leffe as well as abbey beers named after abbey ruins or abbeys that no longer exist. The Affligem and Grimbergen beers are a part of Heineken's international portfolio. Other notable abbey brands include Corsendonk.
The Leffe museum in the town of Dinant is open to visitors.
Prizes and Awards
Leffe beer in its versions of Triple, Ruby, Kerst, 9, Blond, Brown and Radieuse, has been awarded by the International Taste and Quality Institute (iTQi) with the Superior Taste Award in 2010.[1] Leffe Blond also received the iTQi Crystal Taste Award for being awarded with maximum score three times in a row.[2]
Brands
| Name | ABV | Extra Info | kcal per bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leffe Blonde | 6.6 | - | |
| Leffe Brune | 6.5 | - | |
| Leffe Triple | 8.5 | The only bottle conditioned Leffe beer, until recently brewed at the Hoegaarden Brewery. |
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| Leffe Radieuse | 8.2 | - | |
| Leffe Vieille Cuvée | 8.2 | - | |
| Leffe 9 | 9 | - | |
| Leffe Ruby | 5 | - | |
| Leffe Noël/Kerstbier | 6.6 | Brewed and sold around Christmas | - |
| Leffe Printemps/Lentebier | 6.6 | Brewed and sold in the spring | - |
| Leffe Nectar | 5.5 | Honey-flavored new produced 2012 | - |
| Leffe Royal | 7.5 | New produted 2012 | - |
References
External links
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