Brays Brandy Pond Blonde Ale

Brewed by Brays Brewing
Style: Wheat Ale
Naples, Maine USA

In short: A well malted grassy refreshing blonde ale. Superior session blonde ale.
How: Tap at brewpub
The look: Almost clear yellow-blonde body topped by a small white head
In long: Pleasant pilsner-ish nose of grassy hops and cereals. Taste is smooth and refreshing. This one has a lot of cereals (I didn’t find it particularly “wheaty” for a wheat ale) and a good amount of dry grassy noble hops. This moderately yeasty pint of cereals makes for a nourishing and velvety body. A little lemony twist adds to the drinkability. Finish leaves a pleasant dry bitterness that makes you wanna go for more. This beer is a lot more than I expect from the regular entry-level “blonde ale” in a brewpub. This is a beer I would drink on a regular basis if I was forced to relocate in Naples, Maine. At least for a few weeks until I commit suicide.

on tap-pours a white head and cloudy straw color. Aroma is creamy, grainy. Taste is creamy, light malt/wheat/grain, some lemon. Mild effervescence. Easy.

Pours a hazy blonde color with a medium white head. Pleasant aroma of wheat, citrus and spices. Interesting flavor of lemon, spices and wheat, there is some tartness too. The body is light and creamy while the carbonation is soft. Not bad at all.

En fût. Pinte dégustée directement à la brasserie. Arôme: Odeur de cérérale avec une pointe d’agrumes. Apparence: La couleur est blonde voilée. Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de céréale avec une pointe citronnée. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Légère présence d’épices en arrière goût. (Rating #1704)

My Bottom Line:
Citrusy wheat and bready yeast run by each other during every sip, locking harmoniously once in a while in this intriguing take on the American Wheat style.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A sheet of foam tops the cloudy beige white.
-The omnipresent yeastiness overshadowed some of the delicate features of the flavor profile.
-The biscuity wheat apport is pleasant.
-Drinkability is quite high, yet the overall recipe is not quite as compelling as one that would have used a Weissbier yeast, imho.

On tap at the brewpub.

Well balanced but certainly not boring, this was among the more flavorful blondes I’ve had - definitely superior to my other favorites, Bear Brew and Sea Dog. Damn hard to find though.