Bad Shepherd Belgian Blond

Style
Belgian Blond
ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
20 IBU

The modern Australian craft beer landscape is one filled with myriad beer styles but, as much as we’re living in a world of unlimited limiteds, there are some styles that seem to miss out. Maybe it’s because we’re all seeking what’s new, with brewers looking to experiment with fresh ingredients and ideas, and craft drinkers looking to hunt down the latest releases. Whatever the reason, it means classic beer styles from some of the great beer-making cultures don’t get made locally so often – and that's particularly true when it comes to certain Belgian beers.

To rectify that matter, a little after many local breweries have been exploring German classics for Oktoberfest, Bad Shepherd have released the quintessentially traditional Belgian Blond.

The golden ale gives a vibrant mix of fruit and herbaceous aromas and flavours that stem from the yeast, and those all sit atop a very thick texture and mouthfeel with a heady carbonation that makes the 6.5 percent ABV beer a meal in itself. There’s also quite a heavy spice and floral element that the Belgian yeast seems to drive in part, which is pushed further by Styrian Golding and Perle hops.

Bad Shepherd have also made full use of their brewpub kitchen here, with their head chef creating a candi syrup which layers on a distinct sweetness and rich flavour, even if that in turn disappears into Blond’s dry finish.

Will Ziebell

Published October 29, 2021

Name
Bad Shepherd
Address

386 Reserve Road
Cheltenham
VIC 3192

Phone
(03) 8555 3175
Open Hours

Mon & Tues: 4.30pm onwards
Wed to Thurs: midday to 11pm
Fri & Sat: midday to midnight
Sunday: midday to 8pm

Regular events

Wednesday: 50c wings all evening, with around seven different wing sauces and rubs available.

Black Bad Boy Bao 2024 B
CBCo Goldy

More from Bad Shepherd

Bad Shepherd California IPA
California IPA
6.5%
Bad Shepherd Mango Splice
Mango Sour
4.0%
Bad Shepherd Brew Crew 22: The Dreamer
New England IPA
5.5%
Bad Shepherd Salted Caramel Milk Stout
Salted Caramel Milk Stout
5.0%
Bad Shepherd Altbier & Lime Pavlova
Altbier & Lime Sour
5.0% & 4.0%
Bad Shepherd Brew Crew 21: Doppelbock
Doppelbock
6.5%
Bad Shepherd Brewing Take Off, Eh!
Maple Red Ale
5.0%
Bad Shepherd X CoConspirators The Roadie
West Coast IPA
6.5%
Bad Shepherd Trop Bomb
Tropical IPA
6.5%
Bad Shepherd x Boilermaker House The Beauregarde Effect
Blueberry Hazy Pale
4.5%
Bad Shepherd Brew Crew 19: Singapore Sling Sour
Sour
4.5%
Bad Shepherd The Caddy Victoria Ale
Pale Ale
3.7%
Bad Shepherd Low Carb
Low-Carb Pale Ale
4.0%
Bad Shepherd & That Spirited Lot Pink Gin Fizz
Gin Sour
4.5%
Bad Shepherd Lemon Sherbet IPA & Red Sangria Sour
White IPA & Sour
5.5% & 5.9%
Bad Shepherd Brew Crew 18: Coffee Infused American Brown Ale
Brown Ale
5.0%
Bad Shepherd American Red
American Red Ale
5.0%
Bad Shepherd Imperial Stouts: 12 Month Aged & Rum Spiked
Imperial Stouts
9.2% & 9.6%
Bad Shepherd x Tallboy & Moose x Sea Legs x Wayward Tabernak & Lights & Sounds
Cream Ale & IPA
5.0% & 6.4%
Bad Shepherd Portello Jelly
Cream Sour Ale
7.0%