Sunny Jim's Blonde Ale
Ruhstaller - BSMT

Pours a sudsy light golden color in the Ommegang chalice. Hops are listed as "California Cluster" from Kuchinski Hop Ranch. IBUs are rated at just 35, though while this tastes very hoppy it is not really bitter. It's just way hoppier than most any Blonde. The aftertaste does have a resiny note and an increasingly bitter edge as you have another glassful. It is the perfumey mouthful of hops that makes this so distinctive.

This must the best Blonde ever, though you might have to call it a Pale Ale for all the hops. I wish more breweries would find this balance of delicate hops and utterly clean light malt flavor. Hugely aromatic with a tangy edge and a nicely sudsy mouthfeel. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Bine & Vine in San Diego.

 

 

 

Poured into a tall pilner glass. Has two fingers of head on a clear, golden colored body with lots of bubbles. Looks great.
The aroma is bold for a blond: lemon with a touch of metallic.
The taste is less bold. Light honey at first, lemon and grapefruit bitter come through middle to end. It's on the "bitter" side of blonds.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation.
Worth and enjoyable.

A: Pours a clear blond color with some good carbonation rising in the glass. A 1/2 finger white head leaves some good lace.

S: Crisp grainy smell with some floral hops and something that smells almost jammy. Ripe red cherry almost. Unexpected but I kind of like it.

T: Opens with a clean, grainy note and some faint floral hops. Finish brings some biscuity and slightly buttery malt into play, but tempers it with some nice floral resin. This isn't a style I do often, but this one's a keeper.