American Blonde Ale

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American Blonde Ale or Blonde Ale is a light, refreshing, malt-focused ale with a light flavor profile similar to an American Pale Lager, but usually with slightly more flavor. It lacks the hoppiness and other assertive flavors of an American Pale Ale. Many West Coast brewpubs and craft brewers feature a Blonde Ale as their lightest offering.

While many competition style guidelines treat them separately, in one sense Blonde Ale is just a rebranding of the older Cream Ale style; an earlier indigenous style of American ale brewing designed to attract drinkers used to light, golden lagers.

History of American Blonde Ale

An ale version of the American lager style. Produced by ale brewers to compete with lager brewers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Originally known as sparkling or present use ales, lager strains were (and sometimes still are) used by some brewers, but were not historically mixed with ale strains. Many examples are kräusened to achieve carbonation. Cold conditioning isn't traditional, although modern brewers sometimes use it.(From BJCP Style Guidelines)

Brewing American Blonde Ale

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Competition Styles

Both the BJCP and the GABF recognize this style.

BJCP Style Guidelines

Blonde Ale

6B. Blonde Ale Vital Statistics
BJCP Style Guideline Definition (2004)
IBUs: 15-28 SRM: 3-6 OG: 1.038-1.054 FG: 1.008-1.013 ABV: 3.8-5.5
Aroma: Light to moderate sweet malty aroma. Low to moderate fruitiness is optional, but acceptable. May have a low to medium hop aroma, and can reflect almost any hop variety. No diacetyl.
Appearance: Light yellow to deep gold in color. Clear to brilliant. Low to medium white head with fair to good retention.
Flavor: Light to moderate sweet malty aroma. Low to moderate fruitiness is optional, but acceptable. May have a low to medium hop aroma, and can reflect almost any hop variety. No diacetyl.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light to medium-full body. Medium to high carbonation. Smooth without harsh bitterness or astringency.
Overall Impression: Light to moderate sweet malty aroma. Low to moderate fruitiness is optional, but acceptable. May have a low to medium hop aroma, and can reflect almost any hop variety. No diacetyl.
History: Currently produced by many (American) microbreweries and brewpubs. Regional variations exist (many West Coast brewpub examples are more assertive, like pale ales) but in most areas this beer is designed as the entry-level craft beer.
Comments: In addition to the more common American Blond Ale, this category can also include modern English Summer Ales, American Kölsch-style beers, and less assertive American and English pale ales.
Ingredients: Generally all malt, but can include up to 25% wheat malt and some sugar adjuncts. Any hop variety can be used. Clean American, lightly fruity English, or Kölsch yeast. May also be made with lager yeast, or cold-conditioned. Some versions may have honey, spices and/or fruit added, although if any of these ingredients are stronger than a background flavor they should be entered in specialty, spiced or fruit beer categories instead. Extract versions should only use the lightest malt extracts and avoid kettle caramelization.
Commercial Examples: Redhook Blonde, Catamount Gold, Widmer Blonde Ale, Coast Range California Blonde Ale, Fuller's Summer Ale, Hollywood Blonde, Pete's Wicked Summer Brew, Deschutes Cascade Golden


GABF Style Listings

Golden or Blonde Ale

37. Golden or Blonde Ale
GABF Style Listing (2007)
Golden or Blonde ales are straw to golden blonde in color. They have a crisp, dry palate, light to medium body, and light malt sweetness. Low to medium hop floral aroma may be present but does not dominate. Bitterness is low to medium. Fruity esters may be perceived but do not predominate. Diacetyl should not be perceived. Chill haze should be absent.
Original Gravity (ºPlato): 1.045-1.056 (11.3-14 ºPlato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato): 1.008-1.016 (2-4 ºPlato)
Alcohol by Weight (Volume): 3.2-4% (4-5%)
Bitterness (IBU): 15-25
Color SRM (EBC): 3-7 (6 14 EBC)
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