10 to Try: Blonde Ales

“While they may never generate click-bait headlines, breweries are betting on blondes as an everyman, everyday offering,” says Imbibe contributing editor Joshua Bernstein in his May/June 2017 article on blonde ales. To follow up, we asked Josh to share 10 of his favorites—here are his recs.

MadTree Brewing | Sol Drifter
Cincinnati, OH, 4.3% ABV
The Ohio brewery’s brisk-drinking summer seasonal stars New Zealand’s Motueka hops, which contribute notes of lemons and limes.

Uinta Brewing | Golden Ale Park Series
Salt Lake City, UT, 5% ABV
Earlier this year, Utah’s Uinta released this canned golden ale with rotating artwork featuring National Parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone.

NOLA Brewing Company | Blonde Ale
New Orleans, LA, 5% ABV
The New Orleans brewer designed this grassy blonde as a faithful companion for everything from crawfish boils to football tailgating.

Narragansett Beer | Summertime Citra Ale
Providence, RH, 4.2% ABV
Citra hops provide the beach-ready blonde with a bright pop of passion fruit.

Schlafly Beer | Double Bean Blonde
St. Louis, MO, 6.3% ABV
While coffee and cocoa are commonly associated with stouts, the dual beans give this offbeat blonde a chocolaty richness and alluring aroma.

Kona Brewing Company | Big Wave Golden Ale
Kailua Kona, Hawaii, 4.4% ABV
A touch of caramel malt helps intensify the tropically scented ale’s deep golden hue.

Harpoon Brewery | Sweet Spot
Boston, MA, 4.8% ABV
Inspired by Germany’s kölsch, the year-round golden ale flaunts an earthy, refined aroma verging on floral.

Green Flash Brewing Co. | GFB Blonde Ale
San Diego, CA, 4.8% ABV
The San Diegans departed from their IPA-heavy slate to brew this fruity blonde ale designed as a daily easy-drinker.

Victory Brewing Company | Summer Love Ale
Downington, PA, 5.2% ABV
First released in 2010, the hot-season specialty has a lovely lemony aroma that’ll appeal to IPA fans.

Ska Brewing Company | True Blonde Ale
Durango, CO, 5% ABV
Colorado honey supplies True Blonde with a subtle sweetness, while wheat smooths out the crisp sipper.

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