La Binchoise Blonde, coriander and orange in the Saint-Paul quarter
An unfiltered blonde whose coriander, orange peel and fine effervescence accompany the revival of a Binche brewery.
A blonde from Binche, not an anonymous beer
La Binchoise Blonde belongs to the Saint-Paul quarter of Binche, in the La Louvière district. The producer's current description presents it as an unfiltered, top-fermented beer, refermented in the bottle, at 6.2% ABV. Its name signals a local connection, but its personality also rests on its ingredients: coriander and orange peel give this blonde an aromatic direction distinct from a straightforward pils.
Two old names for a modern revival
The history published by the brewery distinguishes the earlier establishment from André Graux's contemporary experiments. The first two products went on sale in 1987; the Blonde and Brune were then called Fakir and Réserve de Marie de Hongrie. This tells us more than a supposed recipe unchanged since the buildings' origins. A beer can take its place in an old brewing landscape while arising from a restart, experimentation and a change of presentation.
The nose, then texture on the palate
The producer identifies coriander and orange peel in the aroma. On the palate, it highlights fine bubbles and moderate bitterness. These are not invented fruit notes intended to embellish a description: they correspond to spices mentioned in the recipe. The slightly cloudy colour also recalls its unfiltered presentation. A blonde colour does not mean a uniform taste, however: spice choices and fermentation provide a dimension beyond malt colour alone.
Why it is sometimes compared to a wheat beer
The brewery says this beer is often likened to a Belgian witbier because of its spicy accents. That does not justify arbitrarily changing its ingredients list or assigning it an unpublished proportion of wheat. The description names barley malt, hops, yeast, sugar and spices among its ingredients. The comparison helps explain an aromatic impression, not turn the blonde into a different recipe. That distinction is useful when discovering a range whose commercial categories do not tell the whole story.
The place remains part of the story
A brewery façade gives the product a concrete point of reference. For visitor opportunities or the available range, the manufacturer's information takes priority. Grain-based ingredients require attention if you have allergies. A local identity never removes the need to read the label on the actual bottle you choose.
Drink in moderation.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Façade of La Binchoise brewery in Binche, photographed on 31 March 2025. Le Sharkoïste · CC BY 4.0 · Source.
