Beer Styles #76 - Belgian-Style Blonde Ale

Craft Beer Storm

Belgian-Style Blonde Ale
Description (Courtesy of Beer Advocate)
Belgian Blonde Ale
The Belgian-style blonde ale is typically easy-drinking, with a low but pleasing hop bitterness. This is a light- to medium-bodied ale, with a low malt aroma that has a spiced and sometimes fruity-ester character. Common aromatic ester characteristics include banana, pear drop, apple, honey, roses. Sugar is sometimes added to lighten the perceived body. This style is medium in sweetness and not as bitter as Belgian-style tripels or golden strong ales. It is usually brilliantly clear. The overall impression is balance between light sweetness, spice and low to medium fruity ester flavors.
-Color – Pale to light amber
-Clarity: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
-Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Malt aroma and flavor is low.
-Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Not present to low. Noble-type hops are commonly used.
-Perceived Bitterness: Very Low to mediumlow
-Body: Low to medium
-ABV: 6.3%-7.9%
-Glassware: Tulip
Examples
Leffe Blonde
Abbaye de Leffe S.A., Belgium
ABV: 6.6%
Notes: Age-old expertise and the combination of pale malt, water, hop and yeast lend Leffe Blond its subtle taste and golden colour, which manages to catch and reflect the light. Hints of vanilla and clove infuse the beer with an even smoother flavour, which best expresses itself in a Leffe chalice, simultaneously allowing the soft, fresh essence of this beer to unveil its true elegance.
Devotion
The Lost Abbey, California
ABV: 6.0%
Notes:
AROMA
Designed to be a hop driven beer, the aroma presents mostly European variety hops with underlying notes of fresh hay and grassy fields. There is a very low level of yeast phenols present and much of the subtle spice come from the aromatic hops.
TASTE
A lighter bodied beer that immediately makes an initial hop impression followed by a brief thinning layer of malt
Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com
*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***
Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2
Michael Beara is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH
*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:
https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb
If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to [e-mail]
Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
[e-mail]
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/
**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**
Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278
Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber
Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm
Craft Beer Storm Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/
Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/
Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/craftbeerstorm/