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Apricot Blonde
Dry Dock Brewing Co.
- From:
- Dry Dock Brewing Co.
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- American Blonde Ale
Ranked #33 - ABV:
- 5.1%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,039 - Avg:
- 3.89 | pDev: 12.85%
- Reviews:
- 62
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 21, 2024
- Added:
- Jul 28, 2007
- Wants:
- 30
- Gots:
- 66
A misty golden blonde ale fermented with shiploads of fruit. A crisp, clean finish and just enough apricot to make this a favorite. Best with sunshine and friends.
17 IBU
17 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BEERchitect:
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky
3.61/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.61/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
"All apricot- all the time" - this seems to be the focus for Dry Dock's fruited Blonde Ale. Where other brewers may add a nuance of fruit here and a touch there, these brewers really sock the fruit to the beer!
Honey orange in its appearance, the expected pectin haze from fruit is a testament to the beer's unfiltered character; thus an interlude into its full flavor. A fast rise of foam recedes just as quickly until a loose twill of foam scatters the surface. Scattered islands of lace coats the glass with ivory white foam in the beer's wake.
All apricot in aroma... except for the slightest taste of grainy pilsner malt and a pep of wheat bread. A twangy tart scent from fermentation can easily be attributed to fruit acidity. But no mistake about it- rich apricot puree dominates the beer's aroma.
All apricot in taste... except for the slim grain-malt character and yeast character seen in the aromas. Its rich fruit taste rivals the flavors found in Tropical Fruit Punch and Fruit Roll-Ups. Modest hops assist in balance but go relatively unnoticed. Only a ghost of wheat returns in aftertaste and outlasts the apricot.
Despite its one-dimensional taste, aroma, and its fairly high rate of residual fruit sweetness, the beer is remarkably refreshing. Aided by zesty carbonation and fruit acidity the beer's body is smooth, highly drinkable and slightly minty to finish. A cool warmth seems lightly menthol like.
It's really easy to over-do it when it comes to fruit beers, and I think that this line has been passed a long time ago- but I feel that this is the brewer's intent: A fruit-forward apricot ale. But the real question, is it (APE)ricot or (APP)ricot?
Mar 29, 2013Honey orange in its appearance, the expected pectin haze from fruit is a testament to the beer's unfiltered character; thus an interlude into its full flavor. A fast rise of foam recedes just as quickly until a loose twill of foam scatters the surface. Scattered islands of lace coats the glass with ivory white foam in the beer's wake.
All apricot in aroma... except for the slightest taste of grainy pilsner malt and a pep of wheat bread. A twangy tart scent from fermentation can easily be attributed to fruit acidity. But no mistake about it- rich apricot puree dominates the beer's aroma.
All apricot in taste... except for the slim grain-malt character and yeast character seen in the aromas. Its rich fruit taste rivals the flavors found in Tropical Fruit Punch and Fruit Roll-Ups. Modest hops assist in balance but go relatively unnoticed. Only a ghost of wheat returns in aftertaste and outlasts the apricot.
Despite its one-dimensional taste, aroma, and its fairly high rate of residual fruit sweetness, the beer is remarkably refreshing. Aided by zesty carbonation and fruit acidity the beer's body is smooth, highly drinkable and slightly minty to finish. A cool warmth seems lightly menthol like.
It's really easy to over-do it when it comes to fruit beers, and I think that this line has been passed a long time ago- but I feel that this is the brewer's intent: A fruit-forward apricot ale. But the real question, is it (APE)ricot or (APP)ricot?
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by CObrewsbaby from Colorado
4.32/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I grew up going to this brewery and I remember my dad always hyping this beer up. Once I became old enough to drink this beer, I will tell you, it is always in my fridge. A Colorado beer scene staple. Try this beer!
Jan 21, 2024Rated by calvin_os from Colorado
3.95/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.95/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Admittedly a fan of fruited beers; this one is done right.
Jul 23, 2023Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
As far as a fruited non sour beers this is about as good as you get. Very nice juicy apricot flavor set on a firm blonde ale base....the apricot carries the beer rather than just adding a touch of fruit. It's sweetish but not cloying or hard to drink. It's a great drinker on any day but really hits the spot on a hot day. I've had many apricot style non sour beers from many breweries and this is my favorite by far.
Jun 19, 2022Reviewed by CBlack85 from South Carolina
3.91/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.91/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the North Dock facility. Served in a standard pint glass
Slightly hazy golden straw color with some orange highlights, with a moderate head that quickly recedes leaving behind a fair amount of lacing.
A huge apricot aroma, with just the slightest biscuity malt flavor. There is just a slight tartness that I suspect is from the apricot puree.
The flavor mirrors the aroma quite closely. A huge apricot flavor is complimented by just a hint of the base beer, very mild notes of bready malt and a generic hoppiness. Medium bodied and slick on the tongue and very drinkable
The beer is a bit one dimensional, but still rather good.
Dec 01, 2021Slightly hazy golden straw color with some orange highlights, with a moderate head that quickly recedes leaving behind a fair amount of lacing.
A huge apricot aroma, with just the slightest biscuity malt flavor. There is just a slight tartness that I suspect is from the apricot puree.
The flavor mirrors the aroma quite closely. A huge apricot flavor is complimented by just a hint of the base beer, very mild notes of bready malt and a generic hoppiness. Medium bodied and slick on the tongue and very drinkable
The beer is a bit one dimensional, but still rather good.
Reviewed by KT3418 from Colorado
3.75/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Really this is equal to me with the sour apricot but it depends on what flavors you want more. If you want any tartness at all go for the sour but I think the stand alone apricot flavor shines better in just the blonde.
Mar 28, 2021Rated by Try-em-all from Missouri
4.25/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Spectacular and not too overbearing on the apricot, just the right touch. Well done.
Nov 20, 2020Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.74/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2020-10-31
12oz can served in a tulip. "Best By" 10/18/20, printed on the box, printed on my wife's can, not printed on my can. Gift from a new colleague who just moved from Colorado.
Pours a fairly clear, fairly dark honey-amber with a medium head that collapses pretty quickly to a thin, fine ring and a very thin cap. A few floaties, never something I like to see, but understandable for (assuming) unfiltered beers made with added fruit. Smell is apricot and bread.
Taste is mostly apricot pulp, some bitterness that makes me think of the skin and the pit. Breadiness is not gone, but kind of overwhelmed by the fruit.
Mouthfeel is medium, leaning toward thick, not a lot of carbonation but not completely absent. Overall, even past its best by date, it's a respectable beer. I suspect fresher it would be brighter and livelier with a little less of the bitterness I think is coming from some aspect of the fruit primarily. I'd like the balance to be a bit more toward bread than apricot.
Oct 31, 202012oz can served in a tulip. "Best By" 10/18/20, printed on the box, printed on my wife's can, not printed on my can. Gift from a new colleague who just moved from Colorado.
Pours a fairly clear, fairly dark honey-amber with a medium head that collapses pretty quickly to a thin, fine ring and a very thin cap. A few floaties, never something I like to see, but understandable for (assuming) unfiltered beers made with added fruit. Smell is apricot and bread.
Taste is mostly apricot pulp, some bitterness that makes me think of the skin and the pit. Breadiness is not gone, but kind of overwhelmed by the fruit.
Mouthfeel is medium, leaning toward thick, not a lot of carbonation but not completely absent. Overall, even past its best by date, it's a respectable beer. I suspect fresher it would be brighter and livelier with a little less of the bitterness I think is coming from some aspect of the fruit primarily. I'd like the balance to be a bit more toward bread than apricot.
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
4.04/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer is all over Colorado so I figured I would give it a try. It looks nice and has a delicious apricot aroma. Taste is disappointing, kind of a mediocre blond ale with apricot. I’m not sure who this is supposed to be for, apparently a mass market audience with an unrefined and undiscriminating palate.
Dec 23, 2019Reviewed by metter98 from New York
3.92/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at Terminal Bar, Denver, CO
A: The beer is relatively clear yellow in color and has some hues of amber. No carbonation is visible. It poured with a thin white collar around the edge of the glass and specks of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Moderate aromas of apricots are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has lots of flavors of apricots.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a nice beer if you really enjoy apricots.
Serving type: on-tap
Aug 27, 2019A: The beer is relatively clear yellow in color and has some hues of amber. No carbonation is visible. It poured with a thin white collar around the edge of the glass and specks of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Moderate aromas of apricots are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has lots of flavors of apricots.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a nice beer if you really enjoy apricots.
Serving type: on-tap
Reviewed by michaelsmith11 from Illinois
3.94/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Had this on tap. It poured a nice orangish color with a small head. This was certainly an apricot beer as the smell and the taste were both dominated by apricot. Overall if you like apricot then this is a good summer beer for you.
Jul 19, 2019
Apricot Blonde from Dry Dock Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
304 ratings
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