Augustijn Blond

 I arrived at the Liquor store yesterday I think.  It was an LCBO location that I have never been to.  Fairway Road, Kitchener.  They had a reasonable selection of beer for an LCBO, but still somewhat embarrassing for a city that boasts (and hosts) the second largest Oktoberfest celebration on the planet.

Anyways, I picked up a box of beer that represents the best of the Van Steenberge Brouwerij.  I have sampled this once last year and maybe once or twice the year prior.  Each year I have found the ales are more to my liking.

If it has an Abbey window or balding Monk on the label it's a good indicator
of its awesomeness.

 Augustijn Blond. They should have called this the  Blond Bombshell, because when I poured this one I was definately overwhelmed by a  BAM!!!! CODE X!!!!  It looked great and it smelled even greater.  It poured much like every other beer would, very liquidy and wet.  My folly was, like a rookie, and in my enthusiasm I let the head roll right over the glass.  Luckily, I was drinking alone, something that occurs with amazing frequency.
After I dove in face first and wiped away my awesome foam mustache (Movember remember......) I thought "Man Alive, this reminds me of something'.   It was smooth.  smooth but spicy. It had notes of fruit, but the fruit combinations were playing tricks on my mouth or they were fruits I have never heard of.  I don't ask questions.  The label says 7%, although you wouldn't know it.  Not boozy at all.  Still, probably enough to kill most Americans.

If you have ever tried a fantastic Belgian brew called Margriet, and don't quote me here but I think it's brewed by the Het Anker Brouwerij.  It smelled like  that, (even though I kind of think that the Margriet was a pale ale).  It tasted not unlike it either, a  bit spicier, and with a bit more bite......but my awesome brain brought me back to the Margriet limited edition.   Both are  great beers. Only, the Augustijn is available in Ontario . For now anyway.  If you are familiar enough with Rochfort 8.  I would say this is a dumbed down version of that,  but hidden in a different colour.

Obviously not a real Monk beer but I was pretty into it around Christmas .

Food Pairing: Genoa Salami sandwich, with real cheddar and spinach. Drowned in home brewed hot sauce.
Comparable to: Rochfort 8
Ingredients listed: Yes
Purchased at LCBO stores in Ontario, Canada
7/10
TD