As much as I go to Nashville, you’d think I would be able to sneak in a brewery tour or two. To be fair, I have been to more than a few breweries and brewpubs there, but as I’m usually there on work or family business, it seems I can never find the time to hit a brewery. Next time I have the chance, though, first on my list will be The Black Abbey Brewing Company.

There are a few reasons why. I love the medieval theme of the brewery, inspired by Martin Luther as the brewery explains it. There’s an interesting little story of how Luther married Katherina Von Bora and settled down in Wittenberg where she brewed a renowned ale similar to what we would consider a Belgian brew today. Click here to read the story. Don’t worry. We’ll await your return.

Ah, you’re back! What’s that you’re asking me?

“Hey Bruguru, if this was 1525, how could they make a spiced ale with that Reinheitsgebot thing being passed in 1516?”

Well, dear reader, I’m glad you asked that question. You see, Wittenberg is located in Sachsen-Anhalt, and at this time, the Reinheitsgebot only applied in Bavaria. It wasn’t until German unification in 1871 that the Bavarians made a condition that it be extended to all Germany, or they weren’t joining anything. Yes, beer is a serious thing in Germany.

OK now, I think you probably want to hear about Black Abbey’s The Rose Belgian Style Blonde Ale. I know I certainly want to tell you about it, but before I do, I’ll let Black Abbey have the soapbox for a few.

Our best seller! A rich, golden color with the spicy aroma of clove and candy banana. The Belgian yeast shines bright on the palate, light and silky, with a clean, slightly drying bitter finish. Pairs well with afternoons on the lake; spring fare, white fish and fruit.

Black Abbey The Rose Belgian Style Blonde Ale has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume with 18 IBUs. I paid $7.50 for a 32-ounce growler at Wild Hare Beer Company in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Black Abbey The Rose Belgian Style Blonde Ale pours to a whitish blonde color with a light head of creamy foam and an irresistible nose of cloves and bananas. Taking a sip, the beer has a rich buttery maltiness up front packed with clove and banana and peppercorn notes followed by Belgian funk rock candy and light phenols. The beer finishes balanced with a hint of vanilla.

This is very tasty, a well done Belgian Blonde reminiscent of a German hefeweizen but with enough funk and pepper to make is seem Belgian. I’ll be looking for this again, and more Black Abbey beers to boot. You should too my friends. You should too.

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