What are your thoughts on Blondes Ales?

In the context of Belgian beer, blonde, pale and golden all pretty much refer to the same kind of beer; some people also include tripel and single/patersbier in that range but that's a bit more controversial. Traditionally the word "pale" wasn't used by Belgian brewers themselves, that's just what foreigners applied to their blonde/golden ales. Duvel is the standard bearer here. It isn't a traditional beer (it dates from the first world war) and technically isn't very Belgian, but most of the subsequent "Belgian pale/blonde/golden" beers on the stronger end of the spectrum (7%+ alcohol) have consciously emulated Duvel. The yeast may be Scottish and the malts may be German, but it's one of the most influential beers ever brewed in Belgium.

I have absolutely no idea what the hell an "American blonde ale" is. Every one I have ever tried was indistinguishable from an American pale ale.

 

I don't care. I drink beer I don't categorize them.

 

Out of the three blonde ales I sampled this weekend (t'gaverhopke, la chouffe, brasserie du rocs)

- the t-gaverhopke singing blonde was far and away my favorite. Silky, creamy, bready, belgian candi sugar treat.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2796/48572/?ba=tempest

 

Rivertowne Babbling Blonde is my wifes favorite beer. That's not going to help you out in New Jersey, but yeah.

I generally like them just fine, though. It's just a style where you're probably unlikely to find anything truly outstanding but they'll be perfectly pleasant and drinkable.

 

Belgian ambers are also lumped into the Belgian pale ale category with the blondes. This particular site makes greater distinctions amongst the styles that are more associated with American "craft." Take a look at other sources just to see how many distinctions there are for various Czech beers... for those in the know in that part of the world (and folks like Ron Pattinson). It's not perfect, and it limits cross-cultural understanding, but it's human nature and (on the upside) it's practical.

 

Not sure if this is a "Blonde Ale" exactly, but I do enjoy Leffe Blonde.

 

My bet is that it has to do with the malt used, and how this malt affects the coloring. Blonde ales/lagers have a lower SRM than pale ales. Pale ales tend to hover between 5-14 SRM, while blonde ales tend to hover between 3-6 SRM.

The distinction between Belgian beers calling themselves blonde and them being classified as a Belgian Pale Ale probably has more to do with the Belgian yeast than the coloring. If you called a Belgian blonde a generic "blonde" you're going to be expecting something quite different than what you get due to the influence the yeast exerts on the beer.

As for your barleywine example, I'm again inclined to believe it has to do with color. You can brew an exceedingly strong beer from pale malts (just look at a Tripel, for instance). A typical barleywine is typically 10-19 SRM. A blonde barleywine is likely to be lighter in color due to the malts being used, but similar in other characteristics (such as hopping levels, yeast flavors, etc.).

 

Not sure if you can get it, but Narragansett Summer Ale (it's a blonde ale) is a pretty solid example of a standard-normal American Blonde Ale. If you can get a can of that and compare it side-by-side with an SNPA, you'll notice they're very, very different beers.

 

Is that your response when a bartender asks if you'd like to try the Berliner Weissbier on tap?

 

I enjoy good blonde ales, both belgian and american styles. That being said, I've not had many that I would call good. I think blondes kind of fall into the same brewing area as lagers, in that they are light, should be crisp and cleanly brewed, but with flavor! It is more difficult to brew a good beer that is by nature more delicate and light than to brew a darker beer...that may be a part of the issue, not sure.

 

Yeah, but "Belgian blonde" and "Belgian amber" would do the job just fine. "Belgian pale" is just more inclusive as it's used here. Problem is you run the risk of over-fracturing.

 

This is a good one, as many have stated it's dropped off a bit over the years, but still solid. Also Victory's Summer Love is excellent.

 

Man, if this beer has fallen off, I'd love to have known it before I tried it. I had it in Boston a few weeks ago and plan to buy plenty of it when I get to Boston for grad school in August. The beer really is fantastic- light bodied, ample carbonation, and a really nice hop presence without being in-your-face or abrasive. The perfect beer for when it's too hot to think.

I agree with your point here. While it is somewhat annoying that every Belgian beer seems to be split into "pale" or "dark" or "strong dark" (whatever the hell that means), it still carries the important Belgian tag, which ultimately in some cases lends as much distinguishing factors to a beer as the style does.

 

Blonde Ale's to me seem bland and nondescript, I have learned to scuttle my disappointment and pass them up for something better. Belgian Blonde Ales however such as Leffe don't fit into the same category IMO. I will drink those on occasion when the mood hits me, and something worthwhile is on tap.

 

totally fair comeback.

 

Victory Summer Love is classified as a Blond Ale. I love it. Kona Big Wave the same. The two are light years apart in flavor profile.

I'll resubmit my statement. I'll drink blond ales, but not with any intent of enjoying a blond ale, per se.

That better?

 

This beer is classified as a Blonde Ale, and I think it's incredible:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28743/109105/

However, I've definitely had some that I would consider mediocre at best. I guess ultimately if its from a brewery that I trust I'll buy it and look forward to it. If I don't know the brewery, I'm probably more likely to pass by a Blonde Ale for something that would typically be more exciting to me - think IPAs, Dubbels, Hefes, etc.