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LeFort

Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste
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🌍 Belgium · Belgian Dark Strong Ale · One of 9 Belgian Dark Strong Ales in hopIQ

The dark counterpart to Tripel LeFort, likewise a tribute to the strong beers of the former Brasserie LeFort in Kortrijk. Pale and roasted barley malts give a deep reddish-brown colour and a balance between sweetness and roast. The aroma leads with roasted malt; the palate shows chocolate and caramel, plum-like fruit from the top-fermenting yeast and a soft, sweetish body that carries its strength without sharpness.

ABV
10%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter18 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20

AWARDS

Silver · 2014
European Beer Star
Belgian-Style Strong Ale
Gold · 2017
World Beer Awards
★Silver — European Beer Star (Belgian-Style Strong Ale)
★Gold — World Beer Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very crisp and full-bodied.

A heavy frame with a sharp finish — a rare combination that stays pointed on the tongue.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
Malt character
roasted
caramel
chocolate
malty
bready
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for LeFort

◎ Appearance

Deep reddish-brown colour with excellent clarity, revealing the balance of pale and roasted barley malts at work. The head forms with moderate density and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. Carbonation is evident but restrained, appropriate to the beer's substantial strength.

reddish-brownclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads decisively with roasted malt character—earthy and slightly smoky without harshness. Beneath this foundation lies soft fruit from the top-fermenting yeast, reminiscent of plum and dried stone fruit, complemented by subtle chocolate and caramel undertones. The overall impression is balanced and inviting rather than aggressive.

roasted maltplum and stone fruitchocolatecaramel

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and slightly sweet, with chocolate and caramel flavours building quickly across the palate. The yeast-derived plum character emerges in the mid-palate, intertwining with toasted malt depth. Bitterness is low and restrained (18 IBU), allowing the malt sweetness and fruit to carry the palate without sharp edges, while the 10% ABV remains seamlessly integrated.

chocolatecaramelplum fruitsoft sweetnesslow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately long and soft, lingering with chocolate and subtle roast notes. A slight warming from the alcohol presence completes the arc without any harshness or drying sensation.

chocolate fadesoft warmthlingering roast
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of LeFort

Serve at 9–12°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 9–12°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet
Recommended for this style

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with LeFort

About Belgian Dark Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale?

Belgian Dark Strong Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Dark Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, chocolate, caramel character as LeFort will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Belgian Dark Strong Ales in hopIQ

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