Leffe

Leffe is the beer that put "abbey ale" on supermarket shelves worldwide: a strong golden Belgian blonde — with a darker sibling, Brune — served in a chalice glass and carrying nearly eight centuries of monastery on its label.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Leffe, above the river Meuse at Dinant, traces its brewing tradition to 1240. The monks no longer brew; the modern beer is a twentieth-century commercial revival made under license, with royalties flowing back to the abbey — which makes Leffe the rare beer where every round modestly supports a working community of canons.

Today it belongs to AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, as its global specialty flagship, and Brand Finance ranks it among the forty most valuable beer brands. Pedants will note it is not a Trappist beer — no monks at the kettle — but as the gateway that led millions toward stronger, stranger Belgian ales, its missionary work is hard to dispute.

Deep gold with soft carbonation, Leffe Blonde opens on sweet bready malt and unmistakable Belgian yeast — clove, a little banana, candied orange — before a warming 6.6% finish. It sits closer to dessert than most lagers dare; the Brune trades the fruit for caramel and raisin. Serve in the chalice, cool rather than cold.