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Cadet Blond

Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte
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🌍 Belgium · Belgian Blonde Ale · One of 28 Belgian Blonde Ales in hopIQ

Cadet Blond is a top-fermented, bottle-conditioned Belgian blond ale, presented as the lighter, everyday counterpart to Barbe d'Or. It pours a clear golden colour under a fine, stable head. The nose brings a light Belgian yeast fruitiness of pear and apple, with a whisper of clove, over a bready malt base. The palate is medium-bodied and dry, with soft grain and a herbal hop touch, and the finish is clean, gently spicy and easy-drinking.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden5
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Belgian Blonde Ale.
Malt character
bready
malty
honey
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
clove
Hop character
herbal
Distinctive notes
smooth drinkingspicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cadet Blond

Appearance

Cadet Blond presents a clear, bright golden hue that catches the light with clarity and liveliness. A fine, stable white head forms and clings to the glass with composed lacing, creating a composed visual frame. The carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, contributing to the beer's refined presentation.

clear goldenfine stable headbright lacing

Aroma

The nose opens with delicate Belgian yeast character, revealing notes of ripe pear and green apple that sit atop a warm bready malt foundation. A whisper of clove spice emerges from the fermentation, adding a light herbal dimension without overwhelming the fruit. The overall impression is restrained and approachable, inviting rather than assertive.

pear, appleclove spicebready malt base

Taste

The palate enters dry and clean, with soft grain flavors lending a gentle maltiness that frames the entire experience. A subtle herbal hop character weaves through the mid-palate, offering restraint and balance rather than boldness. The medium body feels light on the tongue, allowing the dry grain and spice to finish without heaviness.

dry, clean palatesoft grainherbal hop touch

Finish

The finish is clean and gently spicy, with the clove notes returning briefly before fading into a dry, malty aftertaste. The beer concludes easy-drinking and refreshing, leaving no lingering bitterness or heaviness.

clean, spicy finisheasy-drinking
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Cadet Blond

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°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 Cadet Blond

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

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

Other Belgian Blonde Ales in hopIQ

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