Clandestine Frères Belges

Lacking the technology and state-sponsored funds of the new Czech & German Lager breweries, Belgian brewers responded to the threat of Pilsner by introducing a golden beer brewed to the dictates of their traditional brew-houses: a lighter bodied, full-flavored ale they called ‘blond’. Although this strategy worked for a time, eventually many Belgian breweries were updated to produce their one-time rival. Despite the continued worldwide popularity of the Pilsner style, the Belgian Blond has thrived, becoming a standard of its country of origin. Clandestine’s ‘Frères Belges’ Blond Ale is inspired by the Belgian classic. A simple malt bill of Pilsner, Wheat, Aromatic & Sugar produced a slightly hazy, light gold wort that was split between 3 different yeast strains. Although the end results are similar in many ways- malt forward, dry-finishing with a subtle spiciness- each strain produced a distinct beer.