Lefebvre Barbar
Quenast, Walloon Brabant, Belgium
Brasserie Lefebvre is a family-run Belgian brewery founded by Jules Lefebvre in 1876. Originally established to supply the cafés around Quenast’s famous stone quarries, it has grown through six generations while remaining independent and family-owned. Today, the brewery produces a broad range of Belgian beers, combining traditional styles with more modern ideas.
Barbãr is one of its best-known creations, first launched in 1996. It is a strong blonde ale brewed with Belgian honey, giving it a distinctive character that sets it apart from the usual Belgian blondes and tripels. The honey brings sweetness and a rounded texture, balanced by floral, citrus and spicy aromas. At around 8% ABV, it has plenty of strength, but the honey helps make the beer feel smooth and approachable.
The Barbãr family has since expanded beyond the original blonde. Barbãr Bok is a darker version, with richer malt, chocolate and dried-fruit notes alongside the honey. Barbãr Rouge adds cherry, bringing a fruitier, slightly tart edge to the range. The brewery also produces seasonal variations and serves Barbãr with different syrups at local events, a playful nod to the beer’s sweet, aromatic profile.
Lefebvre makes much more than honey beer. Its portfolio includes Blanche de Bruxelles, a refreshing Belgian witbier with citrus and spice; Hopus, a strong, hop-forward blonde; and the Floreffe range of abbey-style beers, brewed under licence since 1983. This variety reflects the brewery’s ability to move between established Belgian traditions and more distinctive, contemporary recipes.
Barbãr is an interesting alternative for anyone who enjoys strong Belgian beer but fancies something with a sweeter, more rounded profile. The honey is central to its identity, rather than a novelty added for the sake of it, and gives the beer a character all of its own. Backed by a brewery with nearly 150 years of history, it’s a reminder that Belgian brewing has always had room for a bit of experimentation.
