Chouffe Blonde, d'Achouffe

Chouffe Blonde 8% Brasserie d’Achouffe

Blonde was the first beer produced by the Chouffe brewery in the 1970s and is still the leading brand, enjoying world-wide sales and cult status in both Europe and North America.

The brewery is based in the Ardennes region of Wallonia, the French-speaking half of Belgium. It was launched by brothers-in-law Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts, keen home brewers who decided to make beer commercially with borrowed farm and kitchen utensils in the then unknown village of d’Achouffe. Sales took off thanks to the use of the image of a gnome said to live in the surrounding forest, wearing a red cap and carrying sacks of barley and hops on his back.

Pierre and Chris moved into farm buildings in 1986 with improved equipment. The site now includes a visitor centre and restaurant and attracts 10,000 visitors a year. The brewery is now part of the Duvel Moortgat group, which has enabled the Chouffe beers to be sold in the United States. Chris Bauweraerts now acts as a beer ambassador for the group and conducts regular talks and tastings around the world.

Blonde is brewed with Pilsner malt and Magnum, Saaz and Styrian hops with an addition of coriander. It has a spicy and herbal nose with juicy malt, herbs and bitter hops in the mouth and a long and refreshing finish where honeyed malt, herbs, spicy hops and fruit are in perfect harmony.

£2.50 in branches of Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose.