18A Blonde Ale

Question 1

18A Blonde Ale - Overall Impression

Answer 1

Easy-drinking, approachable, maltoriented American craft beer, often with interesting fruit, hop, or character malt notes. Well-balanced and clean, is a refreshing pint without aggressive flavors.

Question 2

18A Blonde Ale - Aroma

Answer 2

Light to moderate sweet malty aroma, possibly with a light bready or caramelly note. Low to moderate fruitiness is optional, but acceptable. May have a low to medium hop aroma, and can reflect almost any hop variety although citrusy, floral, fruity, and spicy notes are common.

Question 3

18A Blonde Ale - Appearance

Answer 3

Light yellow to deep gold in color. Clear to brilliant. Low to medium white head with fair to good retention.

Question 4

18A Blonde Ale - Flavor

Answer 4

Initial soft malty sweetness, but optionally some light character malt flavor (e.g., bread, toast, biscuit, wheat) can also be present. Caramel flavors typically absent; if present, they are typically low-color caramel notes. Low to medium fruity esters optional, but are welcome. Light to moderate hop flavor (any variety), but shouldn’t be overly aggressive. Medium-low to medium bitterness, but the balance is normally towards the malt or even between malt and hops. Finishes medium-dry to slightly malty-sweet; impression of sweetness is often an expression of lower bitterness than actual residual sweetness.

Question 5

18A Blonde Ale - Mouthfeel

Answer 5

Medium-light to medium body. Medium to high carbonation. Smooth without being heavy.

Question 6

18A Blonde Ale - Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 6

Generally all malt, but can include up to 25% wheat malt and some sugar adjuncts. Any hop variety can be used. Clean American, lightly fruity English, or Kölsch yeast. May also be made with lager yeast, or cold conditioned. Some versions may have honey, spices and/or fruit added, although if any of these ingredients are stronger than a background flavor they should be entered in those specialty categories instead.

Question 7

18A Blonde Ale - Style Comparison

Answer 7

Typically has more flavor than American Lagers and Cream Ales. Less bitterness than an American Pale Ale.

Question 8

18A Blonde Ale - Comments

Answer 8

Brewpub alternative to standard American lagers, typically offered as an entry-level craft beer.

Question 9

18A Blonde Ale - History

Answer 9

An American craft beer style produced by many microbreweries and brewpubs, particularly those who cannot produce lagers. Regional variations exist (many US West Coast brewpub examples are more assertive, like pale ales) but in most areas this beer is designed as the least challenging beer in their lineup.

Question 10

18A Blonde Ale - Commerical Examples

Answer 10

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale, Pelican Kiwanda Cream Ale, Russian River Aud Blonde, Victory Summer Love, Widmer Citra Summer Blonde Brew

Question 11

18A Blonde Ale - OG

Answer 11

1.038-1.054

Question 12

18A Blonde Ale - FG

Answer 12

1.008-1.013

Question 13

18A Blonde Ale - ABV

Answer 13

3.8-5.5

Question 14

18A Blonde Ale - IBU

Answer 14

15-28

Question 15

18A Blonde Ale - SRM

Answer 15

3-6