#29 - St Feuillien Blonde
Size: 330 ml
ABV: 7.5 %
Another famous Saint? Yep. Another martyr? Yep. Another range of beers in honour of? But of course. Did he come from Ireland originally? How on earth did you know that? .. yawn
It’s a familiar story, Feuillien (or as often referred to in Ireland as Foillan) decided in the 7th Century to quit the Emerald Isle and chance his arm in Britain. He settled in East Anglia until viciously attacked and in one last fling at peace, he boarded a boat to the continent of Gaul, where he spread the word of God, setting up a monastery in Fosses-la-Ville in Namur. One night while on his way back from preaching in local Nivelles, he was set upon by bandits and brutally murdered, having his head cut off and thrown into a pigsty. Again rumour had it that the head continued to preach as it lay in the hay (reminiscent of St Livinus #18).
As a martyr he attracted many disciples who eventually in 1125 set up the Abbaye St-Feuillien du Roeulx in his honour. The abbey of course flourished until the decimation of the French Revolution, but the legend and name of St Feuillien live on in Belgium, especially with the self-named range of beers being fairly popular in present day Belgium.
I have to say however, that I wasn’t overly impressed with this one. This may be more personal taste than anything as everything else seemed to fit the bill. It smelt extremely fruity, had a big puffy head on a barley coloured beer. I couldn’t clear the taste of lemons, and it ended being very distinctive – just too distinctive in the end. I like beers that challenge me, and remain unique, but this just wasn’t my cup of tea.
(Post-Script) – Much better beers are the velvety St. Feuillien Brune (#119), and the sumptuous St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel (#123).
The Belgian Beer Odyssey - 1 to 1000 
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First off, excellent job on the website.
Upon request, my Belgian neighbor (and soon to be best friend) brought me back a ton of unknown Belgian beers that I’m discovering every day. St Feuillien has a new batch that’s just come out “Grand Cru” which is stunning.
Cheers.
Hello
Yes a friend brought me one back from Belgium recently. A nice beer. As strong as a Westmalle Tripel but a little more subtle in taste.
There is definitely some Tripel Karmeliet in there as well. My internet is down while I move house so back to writing in the new year.
Have a good xmas.