K-O Blond Beer
De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)

K-O Blond BeerK-O Blond Beer
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From:
De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
Ranked #86
ABV:
10%
Score:
87
Ranked #15,517
Avg:
3.9 | pDev: 10.77%
Reviews:
66
Ratings:
107
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 29, 2023
Added:
Aug 20, 2004
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  5
Working in his ultra-scientific brewery in Flanders, Dirk Naudts, the "Prof", is one of Belgium's leading brewmasters. A rigorous and tireless experimenter, Dirk is famed for the perfect matching of malt, hops, and yeast. He has created recipes for brewers large and small throughout Belgium. K-O Blond, like everything else from De Proef, is born of science and passion.
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Ratings by wmtxbb:
Photo of wmtxbb
Reviewed by wmtxbb from Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Bottle poured into chalice

Hazy peach yellow that suggests K-O Blond is unfiltered. Nice thick head that dissipates a little, but remains fairly thick.

Scent is peaches and cream with a hint of yeast at first, followed by cinnamon, banana. Smells a little of wheat and malt; typical BSPA scent, but tamer and less sharp. No phenols detectable.

I initially expect a strong a strong alcohol presence, but I spent the first 10 seconds admiring how well it was hidden until suddenly I could feel the alcohol warming sensation. Wow, if this is a knock out it's definitely a sneaky one, one where you can't tell you're out until it's too late. Tastes of sweet malt, peaches, oranges, cream, coriander, and some other spices. Spices mix well overall and are not too overwhelming, which is a sign of a good BSPA; yet, K-O lacks the mouthfeel characteristic of a good BSPA. The carbonation isn't even and it's weak. It also has too much body, which is something the brewer may have tweaked to hide the ABV.

K-O Blond is just an above average BSPA with a hefty price tag, comparatively speaking. Not a beer I'll revisit anytime soon.
Oct 26, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.35 by RBorsato from Virginia

Aug 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.35 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 29, 2022
 
Rated: 3.74 by shelby415 from Oregon

Dec 29, 2021
Photo of unlikelyspiderperson
Reviewed by unlikelyspiderperson from California

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is an absolute standout beer, even among the venerable company of Belgian strong pale beers. Folding in the banana esters that many associate with Belgian beer while also bringing some light, bright, citrussy hops. A beer that drinks like a refreshing pale ale while tipping the scales at 10% abv! An absolute delight and a Belgian brewery that is definitely on my radar now!

A big beautiful beer, deeply hazy golden amber liquid capped with a thick, dense, Ricky head of foam that holds its place remarkably well.

Aroma is richly bready with a soft fruity/banana note. Reminds me of a dense banana nut muffin. Wonderful, full and rich without the hint of artificiality these kinds of yeast esters sometimes create.

Taste carries some of that banana nut muffin character forward, however it's nicely balanced against a light citrus wheaty hop flavor. Incredibly smooth and easy to drink without even a hint of the high proof of this brew. Really pleasant stuff.

Mouthfeel is full and smooth and absolutely delightful.
Dec 26, 2021
Photo of REDAMI
Reviewed by REDAMI from Ohio

4.66/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a Chimay goblet.

L - Cloudy gold to amber pour, with a fine white foam.

S - Grains, powdery sweetness.

T - Fresh baked bread and apricot jam. Hop bitterness clips in at the back.

F - Creamy, thick, but not syrupy, with a dry finish.

A lovely, well balanced blonde ale that doesn't shy away from it's strength. Would love to try cellaring a bottle.
Sep 04, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Oct 04, 2020
Photo of mikeg67
Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle. Pours hazy orange with tall, long-lasting, foamy white head and nice lacing. Aroma is funky yeast, wheat malt, spices and citrus fruit. Body is full and slightly crisp. Herbal hops, Belgian yeast, spices, what malt, caramel, honey and ripe fruit fill the mouth. Finish is long and dry. Wonderful brew.
Jul 13, 2020
Photo of mwilbur
Reviewed by mwilbur from Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 750 mL bottle into tulip.
A: Pours a hazy orange hue with 2-3 inch billowy off white head with excellent retention. Nice lacing is left as it recedes.
S: Melon, white pepper, farmhouse funk, light toasty caramel, and some spice.
T: Doesn’t quite hold up to the promise of the aroma. Fruity melon, caramel malt (stronger here than in the aroma), white pepper spice (again stronger here than aroma), and some notes of apple, honey, and clove emerge with warming.
M: Light-medium body with completely hidden 10% ABV. Lightly refreshing with honeyed fruits. Mild spice throughout. Lingers nicely on the palate.
D: Not the best offering from De Proef, but still a solid brew. Pairs really well with a variety of cheeses. Nice summer sipper!
Jun 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.11 by Chico1985 from Massachusetts

Jun 12, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by redfox405 from Virginia

Sep 18, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by mmilyko from Nevada

Jul 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4.84 by Markapeters from Ohio

Jul 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

May 16, 2018
 
Rated: 3.77 by emerge077 from Illinois

Jun 23, 2017
Photo of Beginner2
Rated by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.89/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I liked this enough to try again as it went OK with a tomato pasta dish. But at this point... not enough to give it a review.
Jun 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.39 by Vylo from New Jersey

Mar 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by hozersr from Pennsylvania

Sep 29, 2015
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.84/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
i always buy new beer when i see it from these guys, they rarely miss, and its all so interesting. i was excited to find this one. its loosely a belgian tripel, pale wheaty grainy sweet and very belgian in its yeast complexion. a little murky on the pour, with some brown flecks of yeast near the bottom of the bottle that settle right out, and a short white head. it smells a little banana leaning, with a unique almost wild tartness to it, the sweetness of this beer is not at all apparent in the nose, smells light and fruity. the flavor through is very sweet, lots of body too, and the warming alcohol on the back end. its not as nuanced as i thought it might be, and although i really like the yeast, it seems a lot less interesting than some of their other stuff. it also gets downright boozy when it warms up a little, and i felt this one right away. its really well carbonated though, and drinks pretty light for what it is. the grian base is tasty but a little plain, and its not really hoppy enough to be a pale ale type i dont think, just a faint grassy thing going on there. overall a very well made beer, but not quite at the very high level i have always expect from de proef. the price was fair though, and it packs quite a sleepy punch.
Aug 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by Piglet_rulz_da_yard from California

Jul 18, 2015
K-O Blond Beer from De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 107 ratings