What Is A Blonde Ale?

Blonde Ale is a type of beer brewed from pale malt and caramel malts. The color ranges from golden yellow to amber. Blonde ales are usually low in bitterness and high in hop flavor. They tend to be lower in alcohol than other beers.

It’s a light-bodied, refreshing beer that’s perfect for summertime drinking. It has a mild flavor and is often served chilled.

What Is The Difference Between An IPA And A Pale Ale?

IPA stands for India Pale Ale. This style was developed by British brewers as a way to make their beer more drinkable during long sea voyages. In order to survive the journey, they needed a stronger beer with less carbonation.

To achieve this, hops were added to the brew kettle at the beginning of the boil. These hops would impart bitter flavors into the final product.

The first IPAs were made using English hops. Today you can find many different types of hops being used in brewing IPAs.

Some popular varieties include Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, Galena, Mt. Hood, Nugget, Simcoe, Willamette, and Zeus.

Pale Ales have been around since the 1800s and are still produced today. Unlike IPAs, which are hopped at the end of the boil, Pale Ales are hopped early on in the process. The result is a lighter bodied beer with a crisp finish.

Appearance

Blonde Ales come in a variety of colors including gold, amber, red, brown, and dark blond. Their appearance varies depending on how much sugar is present in the recipe.

For example, if there are no sugars in the recipe, then the beer will appear clear or nearly so. If there are some sugars in the recipe, it may look hazy.

Flavor

Like most styles of beer, Blonde Ales vary greatly in terms of taste. There are two main categories: American Blondes and European Blondes.

American Blondes are generally sweeter and higher in alcohol content compared to European Blondes.

On the palate, Blonde Ales usually have a smooth mouth-feel. They often have a slight sweetness from the malts. Some Blonde Ales can even have hints of fruitiness.

When it comes to Blonde Ales, there are two major characteristics that define them. First, they should have a clean, crisp, and dry finish. Additionally, they should have a medium body with moderate carbonation. 

Aroma

When you smell a Blonde Ale, you should notice notes of citrus, floral, and spice. There is a very mild alcoholic aroma too, compared with other varieties of ale.

American Blondes

These beers use a combination of pale malt and crystal malt to create a sweet, malty flavor. You might also see these beers referred to as “malt liquor.”

European Blondes

These beers are typically dryer and have a slightly tart flavor. They tend to contain a lot of yeast character because they are fermented at warmer temperatures.

History

Blonde Ales originated in England where they were known as Golden Ales. Over time, the name changed to Amber Lager. During World War II, German breweries began producing Blonde Ales under the name Weissbier.

In America, Blonde Ales became popularized after Prohibition ended when people wanted something new to drink.

Today, Blonde Ales are one of the most popular styles of beer. Many craft breweries produce them using unique ingredients such as wheat, oats, honey, and maple syrup.

Clarity

If your beer looks cloudy, it could mean that it contains suspended particles like yeast or protein. Most Blonde Ales do not need to be filtered before serving.

However, if you want to remove any cloudiness, you can filter it through a paper coffee filter or cheesecloth.

Serving Temperature

You can serve Blonde Ales between 45°F and 55°F (7°C and 13°C).

Storage

You can store Blonde Ales for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.

Alcohol Content

The alcohol content of a Blonde Ale ranges from 4% to 7%.

Hops

Most Blonde Ales use English hops.  The hop aroma is quite mild in blonde ales.  The bitterness of the hop flavor is also very mild. 

Food Pairings

There are many different food pairings for Blonde Ales. Try pairing them with spicy foods, salads, desserts, and cheeses.

Malt

Blonde Ales use a blend of pale and caramel malts. These malts give the beer its color and flavor.

Esters

Some Blonde Ales have an ester profile. This is what gives blonde ales a fruit-like flavor.  

Phenols

Some blonde ales have phenolic flavors, but it is not characteristic of a blonde ale to be dominant in these flavors. Phenols are compounds that give the beer a bitter flavor.

Sensations

Blonde Ales are generally light bodied and low in carbonation. If you prefer a more full-bodied beer, try drinking a Brown Ale instead.

Finish Length

The finish length of a Blonde Ale will vary depending on how much residual sugar remains in the finished product. Some brewers add extra sugar during fermentation so that their beers have a long, smooth finish. Others let the sugars remain in the beer until it is ready to drink.

Attenuation

The attenuation of a Blonde Ale is usually around 70%, which means that only about 30% of the original wort was converted into alcohol.

Ingredients

Blonde ales use a variety of grains including Pilsner Malt, Caramel Malt, Crystal Malt, Wheat Malt, Oats, Honey, Maple Syrup, and Rice.  Some ales use a combination of these different ingredients to produce a unique flavor profile.

Conclusion

A Blonde Ale is a great style of beer to start exploring. It has a wide range of flavors and aromas. You can find Blonde Ales at almost every grocery store. There are hundreds of different varieties available. So go ahead and experiment!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Difference Between A Blonde Ale And An American Pale Ale?

American Pale Ales are made by adding lots of crystal malt to a base of Pilsner malt. They tend to be lighter in color than Blonde Ales.

What Does “Blond” Mean?

In brewing, “blond” refers to the color of the beer when it is served.

How Do I Know If My Beer Needs To Be Filtered?

If your beer looks cloudy then it probably needs to be filtered. To filter a beer, pour it into a glass or pitcher, place a paper coffee filter over the top of the container, and secure it with a rubber band.

Let the beer sit for 5 minutes before serving.

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Andrew Carr

Hi, I’m Andrew Carr and I find beer fascinating. Not just drinking it (although that is a plus!) but everything about it. There is so much to learn - the fermenting process, the best glasses for each type, recipes to make at home… The list goes on!

I have been making my own beer for almost a decade now and I pride myself on my home setup. I’ve made sours, pale IPAs, stouts - you name it, I’ve probably made it in the comfort of my own home.

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