Grand Teton Au Naturale (Organic Blonde Ale)

Brewed by Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Victor, Idaho USA

If anyone freaks out about my high rating, I judged this beer against the style, not against my personal preference. For a blond ale, I think that Au Naturale is fantastic. It had a great fresh flavor that showcased fresh esters; red apples, with toffee. It could have been hoppier and still within style, but I liked the brewers interpretation.

Among the summery beers I’m trying right now, this is tops so far. Mild but pleasing floral aroma, floral and honey character in the flavor, and a smooth, velvety finish. The brewery had set up a little tasting table at John’s here in town and among the three they had to taste (this, the IPA, and the Bitch Creek ESB) this was the nicest, hence why I brought a bottle home for rating.

Thanks to Skyview. Orange color with a thin head. Aroma of caramel malts and solid orange, floral hops. Very interesting flavor... a bit of lemon, followed by what tastes like wheat. Fruity and caramel malt. Really nice!

Pours orange / light amber with a soapy off-white head. The aroma has semi-sweet maltiness like a helles with a touch of fruitiness and a bit of dough. Medium body with very gentle carbonation. The flavor starts with the aroma notes and some harshness reminiscent of tobacco or leather as well as being a bit grainy and has light nectar fruits. The finish is crisp with a hint of spicy hops. Enjoyable.

Fruity nose with spicy hop notes. Deep golden color, medium head. Mild and clean malt sweetness, big hop bitterness. Good carbonation, light to medium bodied, with a crisp and clean finish. Easy drinking crisp beer with some depth.

Bottled. Beer is clear, light golden brown with a small, white, frothy, mostly and rapidly diminishing head.<P> The aroma is malty with moderately heavy, slightly husky toasted grain; Hoppy with moderate-to-heavy notes of floral/honeysuckle, light note of pine.<P> The flavor is light-to-moderately sweet, lightly acidic with a short, lightly bitter, trace acidic, trace sweet finish.<P> The body is light, the texture is watery and the carbonation is lively.<P> Nice hop aroma, but not a stopper.

Bottle. Head is initially small, frothy, white, mostly diminishing. Body is hazy dark yellow, unfiltered. Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (toasted grain, bread), moderately hoppy (honeysuckle flowers, herbs, resin), with notes of honey. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation. An ale version of a Czech pils, more or less, but not as bitter. Nice aroma, good balance...a surprisingly decent beer overall. Quite a bit better than the Old Faithful.

Bottle.
Pours a decent but thin cheddar orange with a faint, thin head and slight carbonation. Aroma is mild peach honey and herbal grass. Grassy notes in the flavor, with a bitter, slight malt finish offset by faint floral hop notes. Average mouthfeel. Great lawnmower beer.