Leffe

Among renowned Belgian beers, one brand stands out for its long history and distinctive taste: Leffe. Generally, Leffe beers feature a sweet-bitter flavor with aromatic notes of fruit and spices, characteristic of Belgian ales. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the fascinating story of Leffe beer, which originated in an ancient abbey back in the 12th century.

Origins at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe

The story of Leffe begins in 1152 when the Premonstratensian (also known as Norbertine) order of monks established the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe near the Meuse River in what is now southern Belgium. These monks had a very open vision; they served the local community, welcoming guests and pilgrims to stay at the abbey.

However, beer production at the abbey only began around 1240. At that time, a widespread plague swept across Europe, rendering drinking water unsafe. Consequently, the monks established a brewery to produce beer for the community, knowing that the high temperatures during the brewing process would kill microorganisms, making beer safer to drink than water in that era.

Beer of Quality and Abbey Revenue

Although Leffe beer production initially arose from necessity, by the 13th century, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe had gained a reputation for its high-quality beer, distinguished by unique ingredients like malt, hops, and yeast, giving it a taste different from other beers of the time. As a result, it was regularly traded with local merchants, providing a stable income for the abbey.

Throughout the centuries, the abbey faced numerous challenges, including fires, floods, epidemics, and wars. However, each time, the monks rebuilt the abbey and revived the traditional methods of Leffe beer production.

A Period of Stagnation and Revival

The French Revolution in the late 18th century posed the greatest threat to the abbey, as many abbeys were forced to close, and monks were compelled to abandon their brewing practices. Consequently, Leffe beer production ceased for nearly a century.

However, in 1929, the abbey was re-established. In 1952, Abbot Nys, along with Albert Lootvoet, the owner of the Lootvoet brewery in Belgium, jointly decided to revive and commercialize Leffe beer production. This collaboration marked the point where Leffe was no longer classified as a Trappist beer because it was no longer solely brewed within the abbey by the monks themselves. (Authentic Trappist beer must be brewed by monks within the abbey walls).

Diversity and Global Renown

After its revival, Leffe beer quickly regained popularity and developed into various styles to meet diverse consumer demands, such as:

• Leffe Blonde: A refreshing golden beer with fruity notes, ideal for those new to beer.
• Leffe Brune: A dark brown beer with a rich, caramel flavor.
• Leffe Tripel: A pale golden beer with a sweet-bitter taste and high alcohol content (9.5% ABV).
• Leffe Radieuse: A refreshing golden beer with floral notes.
• Leffe Ruby: A deep red beer with fruit and spice aromas.

Leffe's success led to its acquisition by the Artois brewery, which later merged with Piedboeuf to form Interbrew, eventually becoming part of AB InBev, one of the world's largest beer producers. Despite changes in ownership, the brand has maintained its commitment to quality and traditional brewing practices.

Today, Leffe is globally popular, offering a wide range of beers, including the classic Leffe Brune, as well as variants like Leffe Blonde, Leffe Radieuse, and Leffe Ruby, continuing to be a favorite among beer connoisseurs worldwide.

You can find a variety of Leffe beers to experience excellent quality Belgian beer at all Rimping Supermarket branches!