Norma Jeane
5 Stones Artisan Brewery

Norma JeaneNorma Jeane
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From:
5 Stones Artisan Brewery
 
Texas, United States
Style:
American Blonde Ale
ABV:
6.83%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 10.08%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
29
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 30, 2020
Added:
Jun 06, 2014
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  6
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.3 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Mar 30, 2020
 
Rated: 3.67 by GarbageMan10 from Texas

Jul 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.24 by Best_Enjoyed_In_Texas from Texas

May 27, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by oline73 from Maryland

May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by ExaltedNecrosis from Texas

Nov 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by blastoderm55 from Texas

Nov 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.88 by Domvan from Texas

Sep 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.57 by M_chav from New Mexico

Jun 25, 2015
Photo of Ryno3031
Reviewed by Ryno3031 from Texas

3.39/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
I like this brewery so was looking forward to trying this as it sounded like a great summer time beer. Unfortunately was very disappointed. Overall it reminded me of a below average IPA. I got almost no strawberry nor vanilla from the smell, but rather a light honey and slightly malt smell. Also got no strawberry in the taste. Maybe slight...very slight vanilla. Smooth up front with a slightly bitter finish (which is what most reminded me of an IPA). Again, really like these guys but this is one I wished I would've left on the shelf.
Jun 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.7 by Pro_Magnon from Texas

Apr 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by 22Blue from Kansas

Mar 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by GRG1313 from California

Mar 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by spycow from Illinois

Feb 07, 2015
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
BOTTLE: Brown glass. Appealing label art and design. Unbranded pry-off pressure cap. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz.

Served cold into a pilsner glass at low altitude in Austin, Texas. Expectations are moderate; this brewery doesn't always do good work, but their beers are always inspired and interesting; they never phone it in and I respect that.

Reviewed live as an American blonde ale per the label. 6.83% ABV.

No bubble show forms as it's poured.

HEAD: 3 fingers wide. Off-white colour. Fluffy. Not particularly supple or soft looking. The consistency could be more even and smooth. Full, but a biteen thin. Leaves no lacing as it recedes. Retention is nice - about 5 minutes.

BODY: Translucent lightly hazy copper of above average vibrance. A bit darker than I expected given it's meant to be a blonde. Clean; no yeast particulate or hop sediment is visible.

Overall, it's a decent looking brew. Not unique or special looking, but generally appealing.

AROMA: Incredibly evocative. Fresh authentic strawberry (none of that artificial strawberry puree nonsense - legit strawberry), faint honey, and light genuine vanilla bean. Honey malt, blonde malts, mild esters. It's not too sweet, but boy does the strawberry work well with the vanilla bean. I'm intrigued, and can't wait to try it.

It's a pleasant aroma of average strength. Nicely fragrant, with above average aromatic intensity.

No yeast character, alcohol, or off-notes are detectable.

TASTE: Honey malt, blonde malts, fresh strawberry notes (though they're not as evocative as the aroma made them seem), mild albeit genuine vanilla, and moderate sweetness. This is a nice twist on a blonde ale, and the strawberry and vanilla work well in the flavour profile - though not as well as would be ideal. Complementary floral hop character fills out the flavour profile nicely, and helps check the malty sweetness. Depth of flavour is above average. Average flavour duration and intensity.

It's complex for a blonde ale, and has some limited subtlety (particularly where the honey is concerned). But there's room for further intricacy and nuance. Overall balance is good but could be better dialed in. This is well-built and executes its premise nicely, but it doesn't quite taste like a gestalt whole which is more than the some of its parts.

I rather like it.

TEXTURE: Smooth, wet, clean, crisp, refreshing, and approachable, with a light to medium body. Thickness is pretty apt, but perhaps a bit high. Not syrupy, oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy. Slightly overcarbonated.

This texture complements the taste nicely, but fails to elevate the beer. Still, overall presence on the palate is quite good.

OVERALL: It's highly drinkable, though it's not effortlessly so like a blonde ale should be. Hides its ABV well. It's a unique take on a blonde, and I'll enjoy draining my glass. More interesting inspired work from 5 Stones, and well worth trying even if it's imperfect. I'd recommend it to friends and will likely be sending it to trade partners. Well-executed and enjoyable, but far from world-class. Still, it's easily the best blonde ale I've had in the past year. 5 Stones is a brewery to watch, and I won't be the least bit surprised when they get the national attention they deserve.

Low B
Feb 06, 2015
Photo of WTKeene
Reviewed by WTKeene from New Mexico

3.87/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This beer has been on the site for over six months and hasn't been reviewed yet? Crazy.

Anyways, poured from a bottle into a Jester King / Prairie Fluted Tulip glass.

Appearance: Amber gold with vague hints of pink around the edges, a thick foamy white head that coats the glass with thick, sticky lacing.

Smell: Blonde malts, with a prominent strawberries and cream flavor, and a little bit of a Belgian yeast note too, although I have no clue whether or not this uses Belgian yeast.

Taste: Somewhat watery unfortunately, but the strawberries and vanilla flavors are definitely there. Some of those light malts come through on the finish too. Very easy drinking, probably a great summer ale. Wouldn't mind seeing a soured version of this either, the flavors would lend themselves nicely to that treatment.

Mouthfeel: Very light, a little watery, and unfortunately a bit on the flat side too, but that's probably my fault as I let it sit while making dinner.

Overall: It's pretty good, and definitely great for a summer day. 5 Stones has a lot of potential, it will be interesting to see where they go in the future.
Jan 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.02 by Jjhanlon from Texas

Dec 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by mwbbq from Texas

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Basoos1 from Oklahoma

Sep 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by greenspointexas from Texas

Sep 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by thereal_adam from Texas

Aug 07, 2014
Norma Jeane from 5 Stones Artisan Brewery
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 29 ratings