Hi,
Going to the Castle cellar inside the castle of Ingelmunster is always going for new things to discover.

 Kasteelkelder (Cestle Cellar) - Stationstraat 3 - 8770 Ingelmunster (www.kasteelingelmunster.be)

The weather was excellent, so many people were sitting outside on the terrace.
We went inside ....

...... to discover this NEW ! Kasteel Blond. A beer at 7.0 vol%.
At the Castle Cellar it was only available from draft.
Previously the Kasteel Tripel 11vol% was from draught there, but apparently they changed the taps with this new Kasteel Blond 7.0 vol%.
Btw: The Kasteel Tripel is still available from bottle over there.
A strategy from Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck to lower the alcohol. A strategy that eventually will reach more people. After all, the draught Kasteel Tripel at 11 vol% was one of the most dangerously drinkable Belgian Beers ever.
By coincidence (well, if there is a coincidence in the first place!), I notice the same strategy happening with bry. Moortgat, who is about to release their normal Duvel straight from tap, but without the third 'essential' bottle conditioning, which leads into a lower alcohol 6.8 vol% Duvel Draft (See forum message for details...). A shame really !
Lower alcohol, less dangerous drinkable, more beer to sell !
BTW: The Belgian Beer Board doesn't concur this strategy at all. Our motto:"Drink Less, Drink Better" !

Ok, let's have a first Kasteel Blond try. Indeed, this draught beer is nice golden blond and clear too.
The foam is creamy and long lasting. The appearance is well succeeded. A good start.

This picture is taken somewhat more upwards, so you can see the beautiful creamy head much better.
Smelling and tasting immediately gave HONEY flavors !!
My first thought: This is a honey beer !
Quite some wrong statement, because there's no honey inside this beer. Does remind me of the Kapittel Watou Abt at 10 vol%, also having those delicious honey touches, but also no honey as ingredient.
It's obvious that the concoction hops and malts are giving those wonderful flowery honey flavors.
Apart from this surprising honey taste, I also notice a quite subtle hop flavor, absolutely not dominant.
This beer is very soft, malt sweet too, completely different from the Kasteel Tripel. Less body, a bit more watery, less complex.
In other words a perfect session beer.
No doubt, great brewing, but I sure won't go for a second consumption......... no way !

Well people, here's my second consumption ! Kasteel Tripel at 11 vol%, and this time straight from bottle.
Well, that's what I would call GREAT brewing ! There's so much more going on inside this wonderful strong Tripel.
More body, more complexity. I even taste some wood inside this beer. Yes, there's also some honeyish flavors going on here.
But the concentration of taste palates is such a treat really.
Would I buy a full crate of Kasteel Blond ? NO
Would I buy a full crate of Kasteel Tripel ? Oh YES !

Interesting to mention that new labels are introduced lately.
The picture here above shows, on the left side, the old label.
The Kasteel Tripel on the right side has the new look, new label, and will also be exported, as so, to the US and other countries.

Here's a nice collection of the Kasteel range, including the Brigand and St.-Louis Pêche. (click for big)
As you can see, the new look is quite well succeeded if you ask me.
Thumbs up for Caste Brewery Van Honsebrouck.

www.vanhonsebrouck.be

Cheers,
Filip

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