Brasserie De Brunehaut
Brunehaut, Belgium
Imported by: C2 Imports
Los Angeles, CA
Available: AZ, CA, IL, NY, OR, WA
Founded in 1096, the Abbey of Saint Martin at Tours (Tournai) in Belgium perpetuated the teachings of its namesake saint.
ABV: 7
ABW: 5.57
Color: 4.5
Bitterness: 16
Original gravity: 1060
Brasserie de Brunehaut Abbaye de Saint-Martin Blonde If you’re looking for a Belgian beer that is approachable for a newbie, but still exhibits the qualities that a Belgian beer lover appreciates, look no further than St. Martin’s Blonde, as it is sometimes called. The tiny bubbles that dance in the glass tingle on the tongue in all the right ways, much like Champagne, while the aromas of apple, grape, pear and citrus tickle the nose. Honey sweetness predominates in the mouth, with just the lightest touch of Belgian spiciness to liven things up. And at 7 percent ABV, this is a Blonde that demands respect while still liking you in the morning.
I reckon this Belgian blonde would be just perfect with some seared scallops, the sweet, spicy, citrus flavors of the beer providing just the match for the sweetness of the shellfish. Tart citrus fruit opens up the aroma, with hints of clove and spruce in the spiciness. The body is quite light for the strength, with soft orange and mango notes and a peppery bitterness, and the same fruit continues into the bittersweet, softly warming finish. An easy-drinking and enjoyable ale associated with a ruined Benedictine abbey at Tournai, close to the border with France.
Lisa Morrison, aka The Beer Goddess, writes about beer whenever she can and also gets to talk about it on a weekly radio show in her hometown of Portland, OR.
Author of the Good Bottled Beer Guide and The Book of Beer Knowledge, Jeff Evans is an eight-time editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and one of Britain's best-known beer writers.
