Question about beer styles

[waterse]

So I am looking to start my 3rd beer and am trying to decide what it is going to be. I have a wit in bottles and a porter in the carboy. I have been sampling different craft brews and I have a question. Is there a difference between a pale ale (not and IPA) and a blonde ale? Or is blonde just a different name for a pale ale? And what is Biermunchers Centennial Blonde like?

 

[DeathBrewer]

a pale ale will have more hops and rely less on the malt flavor. a blonde is also lighter in color and lower in alcohol content.

 

[Kai]

A blonde ale is typically more like a Kölsch than an APA. It is often lighter in colour, often uses Euro hops, has less bitterness, and by definition has less hop flavour than an APA.

BJCP Style Guidelines are wonderful. I don't have the link on tap, but google will turn it up for you.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

A good Blonde Ale is about as close to Bud Light that some homebrewers will come (those that don't lager). It a light, clean, refreshing beer that's great to drink after mowing the lawn when it's 85 friggin degrees out.

A Pale Ale typically is more hoppy and a bit heavier. Judging by what you have going already, I'd recommend going with a Pale Ale. Lots of folks brew EdWort's Haus Pale Ale and have had good success with it. If you want to hop it up a bit more, check my dropdown.

 

[DeathBrewer]

although it is light and refreshing, a blonde ale is much more flavorful and malty than most "lawnmower" beers. i'd say a cream ale is much closer to a lager style ale.