The Horseshoe Collective
Western Collective

Found this at the Three Rivers Resort in Kooskia, Idaho when I passed through there a few months back. Never had anything from Western Collective before and can't say that I've ever reviewed a beer on here that was supportive of student athletes at a particular institution.

Thankfully, this something worthy of such a student endeavor, as this was one of the better American Blonde Ales that I've had. Bright, bubbly, and foamy, this wasn't clear but had a waxy, hazy hue to it that was softly radiant. Not much lacing remained either as there were some spotty suds that lingered after each sip, as most of them slowly slid down once I set my glass down. Lots of grain, fall fruit, and bread were in the nose with some malt, dough, and biscuit in taste. Full-bodied and nicely carbonated, this was by no means a weak take on the style. Subtly slick and easy to enjoy, the alcohol was light in stature and barely noticeable as I could have easily downed all four cans in a sitting.

I have no idea how something canned on 12/18 of last year stayed on the shelf for so long, but this somehow did. At least it didn't taste skunked or have anything floating in it as it held up well over the last year. Not sure how I feel about NIL in college sports but if a beer like this is a result of that, then so be it. Boise State was represented well by this as the "Do it the fun way" message on the top of the label was appropriate for this full-bodied brew.

Typical blonde ale but enjoyable, grain and malt bill is apparent first, light grassy bitterness along with a doughy middle, clean and drinkable which is what I primarily look for in this style.

 

tasty blonde, cool charity component, good to have something new from these guys. this walks that fine line for blonde ale of not being boring in its lightness, and not being too light to have any character, maybe it leans a little toward being fuller, but id take the flavor with the body most days, and it works out well here. a shade deeper on the color, more golden or even brassy than blonde, and immaculately clear under a short white head, big fat soda bubbles in suspension bopping around. to me this smells and tastes slightly nutty, on the dry side but not bone dry, a pretty big contribution from the grain in the absence of much of a hop profile, really minimal there. nice to see how clean and tidy the ferment is, that has not always been a strong point for western collective, so good to have that dialed in here in a style where messiness would be really exposed. there is light mid palate sweetness but a pretty quick finish, a lighter medium body, and radiant carbonation which makes it a real pounder. nice on a warm sunny patio, but really an anytime kind of brew. simple enough to be mass appeal, but not so light that it has no soul. unexciting style space but a well made beer.

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Crystal clear golden pour, white foamy head subsides to thin film. Grainy aroma, bread dough. Taste is more malty, grainy, bready flavors, full and smooth. Finishes with a lingering tingle on the tongue.