Blanche de Bruxelles

Tasting Notes

The aroma leads with fresh coriander, a hint of orange peel, and a soft wheaty grain note. On the palate, it's light-bodied with a gentle tartness from the unmalted wheat, mild spice, and a subdued citrus character that carries through to a clean, slightly dry finish. The carbonation is lively, which lifts the delicate flavors without overwhelming them. It's a well-balanced example of the style — subtle and approachable without being anonymous.

About the Brewery

Lefebvre is a Belgian family brewery based in Quenast, in the Brabant Wallon region south of Brussels, founded in 1876. They produce a broad range of Belgian styles and are probably best known internationally for Blanche de Bruxelles among their witbier offerings, alongside their Hopus strong ale. The brewery has maintained a traditional Belgian character while achieving solid export presence across Europe and beyond.

Food Pairings

Steamed mussels are a natural match because the beer's citrus and spice mirror the broth's aromatics without competing. A light chicken salad with lemon vinaigrette plays to the beer's delicate acidity. Soft goat cheese works well because the mild tartness in both aligns cleanly. Thai spring rolls benefit from the coriander note in the beer echoing the fresh herbs inside. Lightly smoked salmon pairs well because the beer's gentle body doesn't overpower the fish's subtle flavor.

Style Guide

Witbier — meaning 'white beer' in Dutch — is an unfiltered Belgian wheat ale brewed with a significant proportion of raw (unmalted) wheat alongside barley malt, and traditionally spiced with coriander and dried orange peel. The style originated in the Flemish town of Hoegaarden, where Pierre Celis revived it in 1966 after it had nearly disappeared. It sits apart from German hefeweizen by virtue of those added spices and a crisper, more citrus-forward profile, rather than the banana and clove character derived from yeast alone. ABV typically runs between 4.5% and 5.5%.