Kasteelbrouwerij De Dool would have to be one of the most picturesque breweries I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Located in the town of Houthalen-Helchteren, about a 45 minute drive east of Antwerp, the brewery and café are housed in a 16th Centure castle that sits on the bank of a small river. The woodland area around attracts many walkers, and sitting on the castle terrace enjoying a Ter Dolen beer induces a sense of peace.
The castle has a longer history dating back to 1282, but over the years and through a succession of conflict, the original building has been destroyed, rebuilt as what we can visit today. In recent times, the castle had fallen into disrepair until it was purchased by Mieke Desplenter in 1993, to be renovated as the brewery.
And it isn’t just the scenery that’s so good, the beers of Ter Dolen are very good as well. None more so than this Belgian blond.
Pouring a hazy golden colour, the aroma is an inviting mix of malt, fruit and typical Belgian yeast. Sweet at first with hints of bready malt, peach, banana and some citrus, a spicy yeast together with hop bitterness adds a grassy, herbal touch.
Good carbonation adds to the spicy finish, with a lingering bitterness that dries that sweetness out and invites the next sip.
The historical beer style of Antwerp recently revived
A fruity malt backbone, a spicy hop bite and a hint of vanilla
A Belgian blond with the addition of coriander and orange peel
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The 'house beer' of Brugse - a delicious Belgian Blond ale from De Halve Maan brewery
A light and lively Belgian blond beer from the rustic Brasserie Caracole
This Belgian Blond is named after one of the ascents of the Tour De Flandres
De Molen's new core range Belgian Blond with Sorachi Ace hops
A typical Belgian Blonde style ale, slightly on the sweeter side of things
Brewed to a 1000-year old recipe, this is a great example of an almost-forgotten style.
Good malt body, gentle hop bitterness and classic Belgiam yeast aromas make this a great introduction to Belgian beer.
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A hoppy blonde ale which is the official beer of the Antwerp University
A delicious Belgian Blond beer with a great story
Pils and Munchener malts, Amarillo hops, coriander and mango are all fermented with yeast from Westmalle
by Brasserie de la Cambre (Brouwerij Het Anker)
A traditional Belgian blond beer made by the Het Anker brewery
by L'Arogante (De ProefBrouwerij)
A hoppy blond ale, combining three US hops with a solid malt base
The newest beer in the Leffe range - a classy, tastier version of the iconic blond ale
by Mokke Bier
A Belgian Blond with coriander, orange zest and a hint of honey with a touch of saison funk
A balanced Belgian blond ale, with a beautiful hop bite that lasts.
by Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste (Bockor)
Light malts, citrus fruitiness and three varieties of hops
An easy-drinking citrus and hoppy blond ale, brewed for the 'Ommegang of Brussels' procession.
The newest addition to the Bosteels range is this Kwak Blonde
A delicious grassy blond beer from 2013's Best New Brewer Belgium
A traditional Belgian Blond Abbey Ale, from a family-run brewery with over a century of tradition.
Dedicated to the hero of Antwerp, a dry-hopped spicy blond ale
Fruity aroma and hoppy, spicy flavour make this an extremely drinkable beer.
A golden Belgian style pale ale, dry-hopped during secondary fermentation for a rich malt body and lovely hop bitterness
by Wilderen Brewery & Distillery
A golden blond ale from the Wilderen Brewery & Distillery
A pleasant Belgian blond from the Witkap family of beers
A malty blond ale with a pleasant peppery bite from only the second brewery in Brussels
A special Belgian Blonde ale, dry-hopped with Cascade hops. A tribute to Armand Desplenter, one of the founding brewers
A great tasting Belgian dark ale, originally brewed as a Christmas beer, from a very small family brewery.
