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Hopus

Lefebvre Brewery
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🌍 Belgium · Belgian Strong Golden Ale · One of 8 Belgian Strong Golden Ales in hopIQ

Hopus is a golden-hued strong blonde with a generous head and a distinctive character shaped by five hop varieties that create an original, complex nose. The malt foundation carries notes of honey and grain, while florals and citrus emerge alongside stone fruit, held in balance by a delicate bitterness that unfolds into something more muscular on the palate. A powerful finish follows—the hops and fruit linger long and persistently, leaving the mouth dry and engaged. At 8.3%, this is a beer for unhurried drinking, one that rewards a second glass.

ABV
8.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber10

AWARDS

Silver
AIBA
Bronze · 2010
BBC
Silver · 2013
BBC
Silver · 2014
BBBW
Blonde
Bronze · 2025
BBC
Silver — AIBA
Bronze — BBC
Silver — BBC
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very crisp and substantial.

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

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Belgian Strong Golden Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
floral
Malt character
honey
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
citrusy
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Belgian Ales

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hopus

Appearance

Hopus presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, supporting a generous foam that speaks to careful conditioning. This is a visually refined beer—approachable in color yet commanding in presence.

bright goldendense headexcellent clarityfine lacing

Aroma

The nose is immediately complex and engaging, built on five noble hop varieties that layer floral, citrus, and stone fruit notes into an original, multifaceted profile. Beneath this aromatic structure lies a malt foundation of honey and grain, offering warmth and depth without overshadowing the hop character. The overall impression is one of balance—neither aggressive nor muted, but deliberately composed.

floralcitrus, stone fruithoney, grainnoble hops

Taste

Entry is smooth and grain-forward, with honey and subtle sweetness establishing a full-bodied foundation. The mid-palate transitions smoothly into the hop bitterness—initially delicate but building into something more muscular and persistent. Fruit character (citrus and stone fruit) weaves through, while a dry sensation gradually dominates, creating tension between residual sweetness and mounting bitterness.

full-bodiedhoneybuilding bitternessdry

Finish

The finish is powerful and lingering, with hops and fruit notes persisting well into the aftertaste. A pronounced dryness settles in the mouth, keeping the palate engaged and encouraging contemplation—and indeed a second glass.

long, dry finishhop persistence
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
81
Appearance
80
Finish
83
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hopus

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

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

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 Hopus

About Belgian Strong Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale?

Belgian Strong Golden 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 Strong Golden Ale

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

Other Belgian Strong Golden Ales in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

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