Doc
Nodding Head Brewery

 

On-tap at Nodding Head, Feb 2008.

Described as a blond ale, I guess it was a Belgain but nothing jumped out at me too much that make me think so. Poured clear golden, with little to no head, very little lace along the glass. The smell was a combination of malty bread and biscuit with a piney hop bite. The taste was similar, a balance of earthy undertones and a pretty decent hop flavor. Finished dry. Pretty thin mouthfeel, it went down fairly smooth and pretty drinkable.

All in all, this came off kind of bland. It needed more of something, anything. It wasn't watered-down, but none of the flavors really jumped out. It was decent, but I was looking to see what else they were offering halfway through this pint.

Ah, so it's a Belgian pale ale, not an American blond. That explains the pleasant funk in there. It has a touch of citrus hops balanced with clean, pale grains. There's a bit of sourdough bread in there with subtle herbal notes. Out of everything I've tried at Noddinghead, oddly, this might be my favorite. There's plenty of flavor and it's well balanced. Worth a try when you visit.

Tasted On-Tap 03/08/06 at the Nodding Head brewpub.

Light yellow-gold color with nice carbonation. Nice grainy aroma and flavor with a touch of fruitiness and the perfect amount of hops to balance it out. Light bodied, crisp, and clean, and very drinkable session ale.

A nicely balanced Blonde Ale which many brewpubs are unable to pull off.

Hoppy golden ale, floral hop aroma. Small head with lace in glass. Light body, grassy, good long bitter finish. Appropriate carbonation. A more popular choice and certainly acceptable, the lower ratings reflecting the system itself rewarding boldness.