Fish Tale Blonde Ale

Bottle from John’s Market in Portland, OR. Dark gold color with a light white head. Aromas of pale malt and fruit hop. Medium body with coarse carbonation. Flavors of fruit, citrus and bread. More malty than not, and the hop is present, but overall it finishes more like bread.

Wow ok. For a summer beer it really did impress me. Much more colourful than I had expected. While at such a low alc% it definitely packs a bunch of flavor. Some may think that it would be a watered down beer at 4% but no.

On tap. Golden body with a thin white head. Vague fruity aroma. Flavor is refreshing, grainy and fruity. A bit thin body and not really very impressive.

pours semi-hazy orange-yellow, no head. smell is somewhat hoppy, wheat, some citrus, light fruit. taste of barley, some hops, some caramel, a little sweet, some lemon.

Not much to hang your hat on a blonde ale, except the fact that they are usually really easy to drink, refreshing and that’s usually it. This is no different. The aroma had a bit of sewer-like aroma wafting up but after a few swirls it went away. What was left was a very subtle fruit aroma. Appearance was a medium gold color, clear with a one-finger thick white head. Flavors had some moderate honey character, subtle fruit notes and that’s about it. A clean, crisp finish.

Tasted at the May Northern California Beer Tasting. This blond ale pours a golden yellow color from a 12oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is fruity and sweet, touch of vanilla. A medium bodied blond/golden ale. The malts are fruity and sweet. The hops are mild and slightly spicy. Crisp and clean. A light and refreshing tasting beer, with no major taste defects, but not a lot of flavor either. Nice balance. Good carbonation. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet and fruity.

At the NorCal tasting. Poured pale yellow with full head. Nose was interesting and fruity, as was the flavor. The was a earthy, no, gritty mid to finish.

Pours hazy gold with copper tones. Fair amount of lacings. Floral aroma. Taste is well balanced, sweet tasty malt with enough hop presence to give full flavor for the style. Don’t expect an APA this is a Blonde Ale and in that category it is really good. Sometimes I enjoy a respite from the hop bombs that seem to get all the big ratings. Try drinking this as the first beer of the day especially in the hot days of summer. You will enjoy it. Might even have another.