Amazing Blonde
Winger Bros. Brewing Company

 

So their blonde is a kolsch? Damn I should have rated this even harsher.

Blonde beer pours blonde. As usual, the WInnemucca Wingers didn't have the ipa on tap, in fact, not a single time have I been there where they did. Winnemucca through Elko is about the most dreary stretch anywhere for beer. Story checks out. 1/4" white head. Aroma of mild grain and nothing else. Makes me think this is not a kolsch, especially the lack of a yeast angle to this one.

The taste falls right in the blonde ale wheelhouse. Its a feint grain presence, even less hop presence. It was fine with spicy wings at least, about its only upside other than there is no distinct downside or anything "wrong" with the beer, its just made for pedestrian leanings and that is ok. Kind of like most Brooks & Dunn songs. It doesn't piss me off, its just not ever going to be something you hype job for.

If I were to judge this truly as a kolsch I would be more harsh, but i think its a blonde ale and it is what you would expect when you get a blonde ale at a chain place.

Taster at Meridian location. Pale golden, nice soft, foamy head, leaves rings of lacing. Faint, grainy aroma. Taste is more of the light cereal malts, with a small crisp hop bite. Finishes a bit dry.

they call this a kolsch, but it drinks more like an american blonde. basic, but well made. do they actually have their own brewery or does squatters or someone make these? ive heard different things. anyway, all of the ones i have had in wingers locations over the years have been pretty serviceable, better than anticipated for this sort of house brand thing. this blonde is solid, a little more to it than most in terms of malt profile and body, both of which are agreeable with spicy food, which they do a lot of in here, buffalo tenders and such, but amazing may be a stretch in the name, good indeed, but not amazing. just off perfect clarity, as sort of deep gold as it is yellow, average white head on it. the nose is muted to me, pale barley malt, slightly bready yeast, some twang to the water chemistry, but subtle, very little from the hops. more flavorful than that, and in a good way, the grain has just the faintest toasted wrinkle giving it some depth, but not making it heavy. this is on the dry side, consistent from front to back, and seemingly almost without hops. i like the little bit of fermentation character in this, more than most and not a flaw or out of place. this seems almost more like the base beer for something than a complete thought on its own, like it needs oranges in it, or coffee, or something, but its a fine palate pleasing mindless drinker with good carbonation and food compatibility. a more than acceptable house beer in these spots, but with so many good other drafts, i cant see myself choosing this to regularly when i visit...

edit: had one recently and it looked darker, cloudier, and tasted oxidized, maybe a line pour, but it lacked the brightness i liked the first time around, and seemed kind of tired and stale. consistency can be an issue in these spots, adjusting score slightly downward after recent experience, apparently you have to catch this at its best for it to hit...