Leffe

Leffe (/lɛf/) is a premium beer brand owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser–Busch InBev brewery giant. There are several beers in the range, and they are marketed as Abbey beers. They are brewed in large quantities and are widely distributed.

This article is about the beer brand. For the Italian commune, see Leffe, Lombardy.
Leffe
TypeBeer
ManufacturerInBev Belgium
DistributorAnheuser–Busch InBev
Country of originBelgium
Websitehttp://www.leffe.com
The Notre-Dame de Leffe abbey in Dinant, the original building from the Leffe beer logo.

History

The abbey of Leffe was founded in 1152 on the Meuse River in the province of Namur in southern Belgium. Like many monasteries across Europe, the Premonstratensian (Norbertine) canons of the abbey brewed ale, starting in 1240.[1] Using knowledge passed from generation to generation and ingredients found in the wild near the abbey, the canons developed a unique ale with a subtle taste and high alcohol content, brewed only at the abbey.

The abbey has been damaged by both natural and human circumstances over the years: it was destroyed by a flood in 1460, a fire swept through the settlement in 1466, billeted troops damaged the brewery in 1735, and the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1794 resulted in it being abandoned and the brewery destroyed. The canons returned in 1902.

In 1952, the production of beer was continued after a partnership with the Flemish based Lootvoet brewery in Overijse. This brewery was later bought by the international beer company Interbrew (now AB InBev). Leffe was then brewed in Mont-Saint-Guibert until Interbrew closed that brewery. Now all Leffe brands are brewed at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven.

The 1952 agreement between the Leffe abbey and a commercial brewery is said to have been the first of its kind (royalties continue to be paid to the abbey). Today, Belgium's "abbey" beers are thriving with several beers brewed under similar licences to Leffe as well as abbey beers named after abbey ruins or abbeys that no longer exist. The Affligem beer is part of Heineken's international portfolio. Other notable abbey brands include Corsendonk.

The Leffe museum in the town of Dinant, known as Maison Leffe, is open to visitors.[2][3]

Brands
Leffe blonde
Various Leffe beers
NameABVExtra Info
Leffe Blonde6.6
Leffe Brune6.5
Leffe Tripel8.5The only bottle conditioned Leffe beer, until recently brewed at the Hoegaarden Brewery.
Leffe Radieuse8.2
Leffe Vieille Cuvée8.2
Leffe Rituel 99
Leffe Ruby5
Leffe Noël/Kerstbier6.6Brewed and sold around Christmas time
Leffe Printemps/Lentebier6.6Brewed and sold in the spring
Leffe Nectar5.5Honey-flavored; produced since 2012
Leffe Royale Whitbread Golding7.5Produced since 2012, until 2015 known as just Leffe Royale
Leffe La Légère5
Leffe Royale Cascade IPA 7.5

References
  1. Leffe history on leffe.com
  2. Verdonck, Erik; Raedemaeker, Luc De (2016-09-15). Het Belgisch bierboek (in Dutch). Lannoo Meulenhoff - Belgium. ISBN 978-94-014-3651-9.
  3. "Leffe | Maison Leffe". leffe.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
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