Leffe. It’s one of the world’s most recognisable Belgian beers. Understandable, given that it's had more than 800, often tumultuous, years to build a brand and nail that quality.

Few beers have had quite such a development time

Abbaye de Leffe in Dinant was founded in the 12th century and, like most abbeys and churches, it built its own brewery to serve drinks to parishioners and pilgrims. Back then, most people, including children, drank beer of some sort as it was much safer to drink than water. 

Over the intervening few centuries, Leffe marked itself out as a brewery of quality. The abbey was seriously damaged in the years around the French Revolution but managed to keep brewing until 1809. During the First World War, many of its brewing kettles were melted down for ammunition.
It wasn’t until 1929 that the abbey was re-established, and in 1952, Father Abbot Nys, along with brewer Albert Lootvoet, decided to start taking inspiration from the brewery's original recipes. Leffe Brune was available again. It’s no longer brewed at the abbey (they produce way too much for that), but Leffe remains officially an ‘abbey’ beer. Today, there’s a museum opposite the abbey in Dinant – Maison Leffe – where you can taste the beer. 

There are now nine varieties of Leffe, plus occasional limited-run beers. The Brune is one of the best examples of its kind, a deep brown beer full of sweet fruit flavours with enough tartness to make it drinkable. Even stronger is Leffe Radieuse, with fruit aromas like orange rind and coriander seeds particularly apparent; it’s a long, warming drink. The Blonde is, of course, a classic pale abbey beer, with a beautiful gold colour and a rich head. Best served in a Leffe chalice of course. 

Leffe Prestige

Belgium | 8.5%

The Leffe Prestige is a full-bodied ale at 8.5%. True to traditional Belgian Ales, it has intense floral, fruity and spicy notes balanced with a complex malty backbone.
It's a great showcase of a complex malt bill with a combination of barley, wheat, oats and a unique yeast that delivers signature Leffe flavours of vanilla, clove and smoke, with notes of banana.
Temp: 5ºC

Leffe Brune

Belgium | 6.5%

Leffe Brune is one of the classic Abbey Dubbels. It is a prime example of a Belgian Dubbel, characterised by its deep, rich malts and notes of toffee, caramel and spice. Smooth and pleasantly sweet, it finishes with a lovely, zingy bitterness. Leffe Brune won a Bronze for a Belgian Dubbel at the 2015 World Beer Awards. It is a perfect aperitif, and also pairs particularly well with meat and strong cheeses.
Temp: 3ºC

Old Speckled Hen

UK | 4.8%

Old Speckled Hen is a popular ale brewed by Greene King; in fact it’s the country’s best-selling premium ale. It was first brewed in 1979, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and named after ‘The Owld Speckl’d Un’, the factory’s much-loved 1920s MG car, the Featherlight Saloon, frequently seen running errands locally, resplendent in its remarkable black-and-silver-flecked paintwork. 
Old Speckled Hen is a tasty, superbly balanced beer. It has a copper appearance, distinctive toffee-malt aroma and malty flavour, with lovely hints of caramel and a touch of fruit. The English hops, a blend of Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings, give it a palate-cleansing, bitter finish that makes it very drinkable. It pairs especially well with full-flavoured roasts, pies and posh burgers – and its rich malty flavour is the ideal match for a curry.
The reviews on perfectdraft.com are excellent, with one customer saying: "The best I have had on the machine. The flavour is phenomenal." Another said: "This is by far the best pint I have had in a long time. Nice strong flavours really easy to drink and so much better than the bottles."
Temp: 6ºC

Hertog Jan

Netherlands | 5.1%

This pilsner is light and crisp, pouring a clear golden with a lively head. It carries a fruity aroma over a full-bodied base, its flavour marked by moderate malt sweetness balanced by a clean, refreshing bitterness. Subtle notes of bread and
herbs sit beneath the surface, giving way to a dry finish where malt and hops strike a perfect equilibrium.
Temp: 3-6ºC

Hawkstone Lager

UK | 4.8%
From Jeremy Clarkson and the team at Cotswold Brew Co, Hawkstone Lager combines local pride with brewing precision. Using barley grown exclusively at Clarkson’s own Diddly Squat Farm, this 4.8% lager is crafted with the finest ingredients before being matured for four weeks at low temperatures. The result is a beer that is crisp, clean and smooth.
Temp: 6ºC

Camden Town Pale Ale

UK | 4%
Inspired by the American craft beer revolution, but tweaked for British tastes, Camden Pale uses a boatload of American hops to produce a super juicy and drinkable pale ale. Simcoe and Citra bring a tonne of citrus and tropical fruit notes, while the addition of Perle hops brings that distinct bitter finish you’d expect from a good American pale.
Temp: 3-6ºC

London Pride

UK | 4.1%
Brewed at Fuller’s Griffin Brewery since the 1950s, London Pride is unmistakably London's beer. This tawny-coloured premium ale borrows sweet raisin, biscuit and dried-fruit notes from the Crystal malt, while fresh, piney herbs emanate from the hops. Rich, smooth and elegant on the palate, it draws to a clean, satisfying finish with beautifully balanced bitterness.
Temp: 3-6ºC

Trooper

UK | 4.7%
Created by Iron Maiden in collaboration with Robinsons Brewery, it marries malt richness with citrus brightness, drawing on a distinctive blend of hops to deliver a deep golden ale with a subtle lemon edge. Its name comes from the Iron Maiden anthem The Trooper, itself inspired by the Charge of the Light Brigade – a nod to history, bravery and enduring British character.
Temp: 4-6ºC

Samson 11

Czechia | 4.7%
Samson 11 is a classic Czech pale lager – it can trace its origins back to 1795 in the brewing centre of České Budějovice – brewed with tradition and precision. With its golden hue, smooth malt body and a crisp, slightly bitter finish, this beer offers a perfectly balanced taste that’s refreshing and easy to drink. Ideal for those who appreciate a quality lager with character.
Temp: 3ºC

Also Discover : PerfectDraft Modelo Especial keg of beer, Heritage in a glass and Why beer Judging matters !