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Val-Dieu Hop

Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Belgium·Belgian Blonde Ale
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Dry hopping gives a distinctly hoppy nose with a hint of citrus; on the palate come floral hops and malt under a straightforward bitterness. Clear blond and 5.5 % strong, it was created for the abbey's 800th anniversary, dry-hopped with hop flowers and refermented in the bottle, in the Val-Dieu abbey with water from the Gileppe dam.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter27 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyfloralmalty
hoppy
floral
malty
citrusy
fruity
honey
Aroma
The nose is assertively hoppy, dominated by dry-hop character with distinct citrus notes—lemon zest and light orange peel emerge over the top.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Val-Dieu Hop

◎ Appearance

Brilliant pale golden hue, crystal clear with fine carbonation that generates a dense, persistent white head. The lacing clings to the glass in distinct bands, characteristic of bottle conditioning. Light transmission is complete, revealing the beer's clean, luminous character.

pale goldencrystal cleardense headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is assertively hoppy, dominated by dry-hop character with distinct citrus notes—lemon zest and light orange peel emerge over the top. Beneath lies a gentle floral hop quality with restrained but present malt undertones, creating an inviting, herbaceous first impression without aggressive resin or pine.

dry-hoppedcitrus zestfloral hopsherbaceous

◐ Taste

The palate opens with brisk, crisp malt sweetness that immediately gives way to floral hop bitterness and a pronounced dryness. Mid-palate reveals a subtle honey character balanced against clean noble-hop flavors, while the finish turns increasingly bitter and austere. The 27 IBU bitterness is moderate but persistent, never harsh, supported by a delicate malt backbone.

floral bitternesscrisp, drynoble hopsbalanced sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering hop bitterness that tapers into a pleasantly herbal aftertaste. The moderate alcohol (5.5%) remains undetectable, allowing the dry-hop character to fade smoothly without warming or astringency.

dry finishlingering hopsclean
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
85
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Val-Dieu Hop

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About Belgian Blonde Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Blonde Ale?

Belgian Blonde 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 Blonde Ale

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