Affligem Blonde beer

Affligem is a historic Belgian abbey beer with roots stretching back to 1074, when a group of knights founded the Affligem Abbey. For centuries, the monks brewed beer within the monastery walls as a safe alternative to drinking water and a means of supporting their religious life. Today, Affligem remains one of only a few dozen officially recognized Belgian Abbey beers, signifying its certified link to an active monastery.

While the original brewery inside the abbey was forced to close during World War II, the production resumed in 1956 through a partnership with the nearby De Smedt brewery in Opwijk. In 1999, the Dutch brewing giant Heineken International acquired the brewery, ensuring the brand's global distribution. Despite this modern corporate ownership, the monks of Affligem Abbey still hold the rights to the brand name and recipes, overseeing the brewing standards and receiving royalties that support their community and charitable works.

Affligem Blonde is characterized by its golden hue, smooth malty profile, and delicate citrus and tropical fruit notes. It continues to be brewed in Belgium at the Affligem Brewery (formerly De Smedt) in Opwijk, maintaining the traditional Belgian top-fermentation and bottle-refermentation processes that have defined its character for nearly a millennium.