Blonde Ale
Saint Archer Brewing Co.

Blonde AleBlonde Ale
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From:
Saint Archer Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Kölsch
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.52 | pDev: 14.2%
Reviews:
40
Ratings:
183
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 22, 2022
Added:
Apr 25, 2013
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  70
Modeled after the bright, beautiful ales of Koln, our interpretation has a clean, crisp malt character similar to a Pilsner. The authentic Kolsch yeast strain pairs perfectly with our unique blend of aromatic Noble hops from Germany.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by porkwipe:
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Rated by porkwipe

3/5  rDev -14.8%

Aug 28, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.95 by samEBC from Belgium

May 22, 2022
 
Rated: 3.86 by datpingao from California

Feb 17, 2022
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Reviewed by ANIMOUL from Vermont

4.24/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Drank from a 12 oz can purchased from a gas station in Pine Valley, CA. This is a re-visit beer from me - had several years ago and didn't appreciate. However, upon revisiting and maturing palate found this light and refreshing with a subtle hint of hops and honey. Pretty good for the style.
Jul 30, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by hester7 from Texas

Mar 01, 2021
 
Rated: 3.77 by BaconFingers from Washington

Aug 26, 2020
 
Rated: 3 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 17, 2020
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Reviewed by bret27 from California

4.12/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From can. Illegible date.
L: deep clear golden. Fluffy white head with lace.
S: Honey, grassy noble hops.
T: Honey, malt, white bread, hint of grassy bitter on the finish.
F: kind of slick. Not too think or thick. Goes down ez.
Overall: if you’re a beer snob, make sure you’re thirsty on a hot day before drinking this. It is surprisingly pretty good and I nailed it as a kolsch before I saw the beeradvocate category. I feel it is appropriate to style.
May 25, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Apr 08, 2020
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Reviewed by CC93 from California

2.06/5  rDev -41.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Poured in a pint-sized shaker on draft. Limited lighting as per restaurant's preferred atmosphere.

Look: Heavily translucent light gold colour with a pretty thick foamy white head; at least above one and a half fingers tall. Constant mild carbonation present. Exceptional lacing.

Smell: Unpleasant, sweet and murkyish odour that resembles the cheapest of beers, such as Stella Artois, somewhat of Budweiser (which despite a lack of head, it would actually trounce this ale by far based on overall composition, and that is making a *huge* statement), and maybe either Miller Lite or Bud Light; the flavour is comparable to Michelob Ultra and maybe Zhigulevskoye--another two of which I personally do not recommend. It is a bit too sweet for my taste, especially speaking as a blonde ale.

Taste: An unexpected tinge of sweetness is the most prevalent flavour in this brew. It does mildly add up with the aroma. After a few more sips, it was interpreted to be a less offensive taste.

Feel: Very thick aftertaste and overall mouthfeel. It doesn't remind me of a refreshing light beer, and it being paired with a torpedo sandwich and a pizza did my dining experience a great disservice. (The food was numerically much better compared to this drink.)

Overall: It is not for me; it disappointed me. The fact that it is a local brew within the City made me feel ashamed that I either should have taken Shock Top (as it was another option that would have been OKAY), or tried an amber ale that was available at the time--or no beer, at all. Maybe it would have been considered with a chicken salad instead of the usual Italian goods. I found it wasn't exactly the most balanced beverage to date, making me question on why this has a 81/100 rating.
Feb 01, 2020
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Reviewed by Mister_Faucher from Washington

3.67/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
19oz can purchased at Albertsons in Lake Forest Park, Washington.
Dated 120219. Poured in to a Sam Smith imperial pint glass.

Look- Very slightly hazy brilliant golden straw color, large pillowy bright white head that slowly recedes to a thin cap, nice lacing. Moderate carbonation streaming as it sits.

Smell- Sweet bready/honey malts, light citrus, some yeasty banana and nutmeg/clove type spice, floral/grassy notes.

Taste- Much like the aroma with a little green grape and orchard fruit thrown in, but somewhat muted and muddled, still fairly tasty though.

Feel- Medium/light bodied, smooth and pretty crisp, fairly dry and heavier carbonation on the tongue, light bitterness there.

O- A little like a kolsch, a little like a pilsner, a little like a Belgian, a hybrid if you will. Not really sure where SA was going with this one, not sure they did either but it's pretty good and worth trying.
Jan 19, 2020
Photo of hophead723
Reviewed by hophead723 from California

3.93/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
My roommate shared a can of this with me after I gave him a sample of a 2016 bottle of Hugel Classic Riesling. Poured into a pint glass, ice cold.

Look: Lightly hazed straw yellow color of raw Tupelo honey. Soft and foamy white head that settles to a stubborn veil. Delicate and tiny fluttering bubbles of carbonation rise to the top.

Smell: Grainy, slightly peppery aroma with delicate fruity esters.

Taste/Feel: Crackery pale malts and a refreshing lemony aftertaste are further validated by a dry finish. A pleasant pale malt flavor lingers on the tongue long after each drink.

Overall: Delicious and refreshing beer here. I highly recommend this beer and I respect the brewery for their skill and expertise.
Jan 08, 2020
 
Rated: 3 by mblakesley from California

Jan 08, 2020
 
Rated: 3.1 by Trueprinceofgotham from California

Jan 07, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by antihero404 from California

Jan 04, 2020
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Reviewed by BeerBobber from Nevada

3.84/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours out a nice golden color. Looks slightly hazy with bubbles of carbonation coming up from the bottom. Head of fairly tight white bubbles slowly settling into the beer.

Smells like a pilsner with that slightly grassy scent. Smells a bit sweet. Maybe a touch of some citrus.

Taste is like a pilsner also. Has a bit of the grassiness from the smell coming through. Clean water taste with just a hint of malts. Also picking up a faint background of hops at the very very far tail end.

Mouth feel is nice bouncy and spritzy with that carbonation pushing things along the tongue. Seems to leave a bit of sticky hop residue on the lips. This part I like. Finish is clean but the beer itself kind of lingers as you try to pick out the flavors you are experiencing.

Overall this beer works for me. I like the reminiscence of a pilsner that makes this a fairly clean drinking beer. And like a good pilsner I would search this out at a bar to have it on tap with some good bar food, pretzels, burger, pizza and that sort. Would pair nicely with a good Schnitzel as well. Yet at that this is a nice clean drinking beer.
Dec 02, 2019
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Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I mean, when you drink a Blonde you can’t overthink it. This is not an Ingmar Bergman beer; it’s more like Tarantino - buckle up and enjoy the ride. And right here in Saint Archer Blonde, I’m not trying to make sense of Death and some Swedish knight playing chess; it’s more or less Uma Thurman beating the hell out of a bunch of ninjas. Tasty, but you don’t have to think too much to enjoy it.

Now, this might upset the Russian judges, but I’m giving this fours all down the line!
Jun 05, 2019
 
Rated: 1.56 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

May 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.15 by Peter_M_Morris from California

May 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.93 by Hopfenpeter from Maryland

Feb 14, 2019
Blonde Ale from Saint Archer Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 183 ratings