Do I really want to make a blonde ale?

[JLem]

I was thinking of making up a blonde ale. Mostly because I want to try something different and since blonde ales are often suggested as a good summer brew. I've made an irish red, a stout, a pale ale, and a porter. Not surprisingly, these are also the types of beer that I usually drink. When drinking out, pale ales are the lightest beer I order.

So, do I want to brew a blonde ale? Are there any good micro versions that I might be able to get my hands on to try and see if I even like blonde ales? What kind of taste are we talking here - a souped up Bud? Alternatively, what suggestions do you have for another brew to make (note: I am not generally a hefe or belgium-style fan).

Thanks.

 

[ChshreCat]

Not sure how in style it is, but I've had the Redhook Blonde many times. You might look for that one.

 

[Edcculus]

Theres nothing wrong with a nice light crisp blonde ale on a hot summer day. I just brewed a Kolsch, which is as light colored as can be. Its very refreshing, and much more flavorful than any BMC.

 

[jigidyjim]

I made the blonde ale kit from oakbarrel.com for my first brew. I thought the aroma and crispness were awesome and a great level of hops, but found the body lacking and light.

However, it has been a real crowd pleaser, and my wife loved it, so that's a huge bonus

 

[beerthirty]

Try BM's Centennial Blonde. Nice hop flavor in a nice light beer. Its a crowd pleaser.

 

[ifishsum]

BM's recipe is indeed a good example. That said, blonde ales are rather bland IMO when compared to the other styles you listed. I'm not a big fan of them myself, I'd much rather have a nice hoppy pale ale on a hot summer day than any blonde ale. My BMC drinking friends just raved about the batch of BM's blonde ale I made, but since I brew to please my own taste I haven't made it since. Just my opinion of course - if you haven't yet tried making the style you probably should at some point just for that reason, to increase your repertoire.

 

[AnOldUR]

Theres nothing wrong with a nice light crisp blonde ale on a hot summer day. I just brewed a Kolsch, which is as light colored as can be. Its very refreshing, and much more flavorful than any BMC.

There is some overlapping between Kolsch and Blonde Ale. Given what you've said, you may be more pleased if you lean towards a Kolsch recipe. It can be a more challenging beer to brew.

Here's some Blonde Ale information:

History: Currently produced by many (American) microbreweries
and brewpubs. Regional variations exist (many West
Coast brewpub examples are more assertive, like pale ales) but
in most areas this beer is designed as the entry-level craft beer.

Comments: In addition to the more common American Blonde
Ale, this category can also include modern English Summer
Ales, American Kölsch-style beers, and less assertive American
and English pale ales.

Commercial Examples: Pelican Kiwanda Cream Ale, Russian
River Aud Blonde, Rogue Oregon Golden Ale, Widmer Blonde
Ale, Fuller’s Summer Ale, Hollywood Blonde, Redhook
Blonde

 

[lowlife]

I always brew what I like to drink. I used to try to brew what I thought others would think is a good beer. Now I brew what I want and don't go out of my way to share my beer with anyone (except other brewers with exchanges). Thats just me though.

 

[JLem]

I always brew what I like to drink. I used to try to brew what I thought others would think is a good beer. Now I brew what I want and don't go out of my way to share my beer with anyone (except other brewers with exchanges). Thats just me though.

I get that, but I'm less interested in brewing the blonde for others than I am in trying to brew something new. That said, I'm not planning on brewing a belgium wit anytime soon since I know I really dislike them. Since I'm not particularly familiar with blonde ales, I wanted to get some feedback before I jumped into one.

From the rest of the posts, sounds like a well-done blonde can be quite nice.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

The light body makes them crisp and refreshing, but they can be a little bland. That's why I find a little lemon is a nice touch.

 

[JLem]

The light body makes them crisp and refreshing, but they can be a little bland. That's why I find a little lemon is a nice touch.

I took a look at your recipe. 2 oz of lemon zest seems like a lot to me - my brothers and I brewed up a Sam Summer clone and it called for 1oz. To get the 1oz we completely zested 3 lemons!

 

[EcuPirate07]

Just got done brewing my Blonde and I compair it to maybe a Mich Ultra. Its good but def taste more grain then hops IMO

 

[TeufelBrew]

Bier Munchers Blonde was the perfect base recipe for the hops I got from Secret Santa at work. It's clean and crisp in taste, not really complex, but not bland.

It's been requested for our summer staff get together. I like it a lot and will be using it as a have on hand beer.

 

[grammatron]

I was in the same boat as you a while back and brewed a cream ale. I never drink stuff that's that light, but it really turned out great, and I'm really glad I brewed it.

 

[VTBrewer]

I just made a cream ale and use WYEAST's Kolsch.

 

[mosyslack]

I've made a blonde ale somewhat regularly since I've been brewing (only 1 1/2 years). My wife likes them and they are a great beer when I'm not quite feeling like an IPA or pale ale. Great as a lawn mower beer! Best part of brewing is you can make it as you like. Not enough hops for you? Not malty enough? Add more next time around.

I just entered my first competition, ever, beginning of this month and it was a blonde ale. Anxious to get the results!

 

[Budzu]

I have just started drinking my blonde ale from the keg. It is great to drink a beer that is so clear and is actually very flavorful and malty I recommend using a good variety of light malts.

I used 50% US 2 row, 35% german pilsner, and 15% vienna malt, with my only specialty being .25 oz of crystal 60L. 27 IBU and 5 SRM. WLP 001 repitch. If you'd like my recipe specifics I'll give them.

The malt flavor is excellent! and bland just never enters your mind while drinking this. Blondes can be very tasty, brew one of your own for sure!

Cheers and good luck

 

[JLem]

I have just started drinking my blonde ale from the keg. It is great to drink a beer that is so clear and is actually very flavorful and malty I recommend using a good variety of light malts.

I used 50% US 2 row, 35% german pilsner, and 15% vienna malt, with my only specialty being .25 oz of crystal 60L. 27 IBU and 5 SRM. WLP 001 repitch. If you'd like my recipe specifics I'll give them.

The malt flavor is excellent! and bland just never enters your mind while drinking this. Blondes can be very tasty, brew one of your own for sure!

Cheers and good luck

What were your hops and hop schedule?

 

[zaprozdower]

My last brew was a blonde...go vanilla blonde with Willamette hops. It's pretty good once the aging starts to mellow out the vanilla.

 

[Joos]

3 words.Victory's golden monkey.Nuff said.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

I took a look at your recipe. 2 oz of lemon zest seems like a lot to me - my brothers and I brewed up a Sam Summer clone and it called for 1oz. To get the 1oz we completely zested 3 lemons!

The zest is only boiled for 5 minutes, so it only imparts a very slight flavor & aroma to the wort.

It does take a few lemons though, as you're only removing a very thin layer of zest...good thing I've got a tree!

 

[Bob]

3 words.Victory's golden monkey.Nuff said.

Um. Golden Monkey is about as far removed from Blonde Ale as you can get. It's a Belgian-Style Tripel.

About the only thing it has in common with Blonde Ale is a relatively light color.

I love Golden Monkey, and have on occasion consumed sufficient quantities of it to act like a monkey. Ook! But Blonde Ale it certainly ain't.

Bob

 

[Budzu]

What were your hops and hop schedule?

1.00 oz Tettnang [5.50%] (60 min) Hops 18.1 IBU
0.25 oz Mt. Hood [5.20%] (60 min) Hops 4.7 IBU
0.40 oz Hallertauer Mittelfrueh [4.40%] (20 min) Hops 2.1 IBU
0.25 oz Mt. Hood [5.20%] (20 min) Hops 1.6 IBU
0.35 oz Hallertauer Mittelfrueh [4.40%] (1 min) Hops 0.9 IBU

 

[Homercidal]

I made Biermunchers Centennial Blonde and bottling time taste tells me that it turned out great. Yes, it's a bit light, but that was what I was shooting for. But it still has a good amount of flavor for a lighter beer. I brewed it for a warm spring day thirst quencher and for friends who don't like real beer. It's in the keg now, so soon we will see what it's like cold and carbed!

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I always do 1 or 2 batches of Blonde Ale every summer. It's a great quaffable lawnmower beer.