Liefmans

Why it matters

Where Rodenbach defines the West Flanders red, Liefmans defines the East Flanders brown — softer, maltier and lactic rather than acetic. The two are routinely conflated and the difference is regional as much as technical.

Details

Reference beers

• Liefmans Goudenband8% ABV

  The reference East Flanders brown ale — a blend of aged and young beer, sweet-and-sour rather than sharp.

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Styles it is associated with

• Oud Bruin — An East Flanders aged brown ale, maltier and less sharply acidic than Flanders red, with raisin and caramel depth.

Traditions

• Flemish aged and blended sour brewing — The red and brown sour ales of Flanders, matured for a year or more in large oak foeders and blended to balance.