Blueberry Blonde Ale
Rutland Beer Works

 

L-Russet brown colored. Nice little whispy light creamy head..

S-Sweet....dark berries but not noticeably blueberries.

T-Light blueberries..... and thankfully natural flavored not artificial and sticky sweet like syrup. Rather it seems as if they actually added blueberries and not blueberry puree into the beer. By doing this it gives it a natural, yet somewhat subdued blueberry flavor..Malt is light with crackery and bready impression but definitely not a big component. Just lays the canvas for the natural blueberry flavor to emerge.

F-Light side of medium bodied with a lighter carbonation level which allows the natural blueberry impression to shine a little.

O-Did I mention the blueberries come off as natural rather than artificial? Enjoyable beer here that never becomes cloying or artificially sweet. Lower alcohol level makes this a great choice for a summer beer along side the pool.

It's pretty dark looking for a blonde ale but I'm sure that is coming from the blueberry addition (whether it was straight blueberries, puree or juice). When I hold it to my light source, I believe I do see purpleish hues. I like. Aroma is appealing. Slight caramel malts blend in with aromatic hops and mashed blueberries. The flavor follows suit with some nice blueberry nuances dancing around a melange of hops and yeast. Intriguing. In a word, I would say this beer is quenching. The carbonation is nicely subdued and the body medium-light. Definitely a summer quaffer. Goes down smooth and easy yet it is quite flavorful. Delightful brew.

Poured into a pint glass. The appearance was a semi-hazy burnt orange color with a quickly dissipating finger’s worth of white foamy head that dissipated fairly quickly. No lacing. The aroma started with the blueberry, sweet to semi-dark with the blueberry skin seeming to play subtly. Some wheaty tones underneath. The flavor yields to the sweetness first and then brings in the tart side ever so subtly. Sly blueberry sweet aftertaste. Semi-sticky finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fair sessionability about it. Nice carbonation. Tartness is tame enough to allow a nice crispness all around. Overall, nicely done blueberry ale that I could have again preferably in the Summer.