- Leffe
:"This article is about Leffe, the beer brand. For the Italian commune, see
Leffe (BG) ."Infobox Brewery
name = Leffe
caption = Leffe served in branded glasses
location =Belgium
owner =
opened =
production =
active_beers = brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Blonde|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Brune|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Triple|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Radieuse|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Vieille Cuvée|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe 9|style= brewbox_beer|name=Leffe Ruby|style=
seasonal_beers =
other_beers =Leffe (pronEng|ˈlεf or IPA|/ˈlεfə/) is a Belgian brand of
Abbey beer . Leffe beers are marketed as premiumale s. They are now brewed in large quantities and are widely available.History
The abbey "Notre Dame de Leffe" was founded in
1152 on theMeuse River in the province of Namur in southern Belgium. Like many monasteries across Europe, thePremonstratensian (Norbertine) canons of the abbey brewed ale. Using knowledge passed from generation to generation and ingredients found in the wild near the abbey, the canons developed a unique ale, brewed only at the abbey.The abbey itself has known hard times and has been damaged by both natural and human circumstances over the years. In
1460 the abbey was destroyed by a flood, a fire swept through the settlement in1466 , in1735 billeted troops damaged the brewery, and in1794 the outbreak of theFrench Revolution resulted in the abbey being deserted and the brewery destroyed. The canons returned in 1902.In
1952 , the production of beer was continued after a partnership with the Flemish based Lootvoet brewery inOverijse . This brewery was later bought by the international beer companyInterbrew (nowInBev ). Leffe was then brewed inMont-Saint-Guibert until Interbrew closed that brewery. Now all Leffe brands are brewed at theStella Artois brewery inLeuven .The 1952 agreement between the Leffe abbey and a commercial brewery is said to have been the first of its kind (royalties continue to be paid to the abbey). Today, Belgium's beer category called "abbey" is thriving - with several beers brewed under similar licenses to Leffe as well as abbey beers named after abbey ruins or abbeys that no longer exist. The
Affligem beers are a part ofHeineken 's international portfolio and Grimbergen is owned byAlken-Maes subsidiary ofScottish & Newcastle . Other notable abbey brands includeCorsendonk .The Leffe museum in the town of
Dinant is open to visitors.Different types of Leffe
* Leffe Blonde (6.6% ABV).
* Leffe Brune (6.5% ABV).
* Leffe Triple (8.4% ABV). The only
bottle conditioned leffe beer - until recently brewed at theHoegaarden Brewery .* Leffe Radieuse and Leffe Vieille Cuvée (both 8.4% ABV).
* Leffe 9 (9% ABV).
erving and drinking
The serving and drinking of Belgian beers is ritualised to a greater extent than it is in most other countries. The key element of this ritual is the use of a specific, often branded glass, as shown in the photograph. In Belgium almost every type of beer is served in its own type of branded glass.
Although a brand name on a glass will not impart any difference to the taste or texture of the beer, the shape may have an influence. "Chalice" shaped glasses are seen as better suited for strong, richly flavoured ales such as
abbey beer s than a conventional straight shaped glass used forlager s andlight ale s.External links
* [http://www.leffe.com Official Web Site]
* [http://www.sonverre.be Leffe beer glasses collection]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.