Blondes

[StJayJay]

Its getting to that time of year when I quite like a blonde ale, something between 3.5-4.5% from a fairly simple grain bill. In the past, I have gone for English hops but I quite like Jarl from Fyne Ales which use citra and think I've tried to make something similar in the past. I'd be interested to here from anyone who makes this sort of beer what they like to use, whether they have a go-to recipe, a favoured yeast and a favourite hop/hop combination for this style?
Cheers!

 

[MickDundee]

I do a beer I call A Classic American Blonde (I first did it for my mate, a policeman, for his stag do hence the name). I’ve done 4 versions which have been slightly different but the general gist is:

90-95% pale malt
5-10% adjunct (I’ve used flaked rice and flaked maize before, I preferred the rice if I’m being honest)

12g each citra and simcoe 10mins
13g each citra and simcoe 5mins

Ferment with US05 or BRY97 (I usually prefer BRY but my favourite attempt at this beer was the one with US05).


If you want to go more English, Summer Lightning from the Wheeler/CAMRA book always goes down well.

I also did a Hobgoblin gold clone a year or so back that came out very well if you want something more English but with a new world twist but it’s not quite as light and smashable as the other 2. It’s meant to be bittered with summit IIRC but I didn’t have any so had to switch it for Magnum :

 

[The Baron]

I use Summit in a summer Blonde gives a gentle fruity flavour without being too strong

 

[Sadfield]

I occasionally brew them as a way to trial a single hop. Usually 90% of whichever extra pale malt I have, plus 10% Munich. Spreading a 100g pack of hops out over the boil and a small dry hop, for a 15L batch. I find MJ Liberty Bell ideal for this, as its good with hops but interesting enough for a British beer.

 

[matt76]

Funny you should mention this @StJayJay , I've been reading up lately on British Golden Ale and American Blonde Ale...

I was planning to make another batch of my Mustang Ale next (hopped with Cascade & First Gold), which was really good before. But since the weather has started warming up I think I'm just not feeling another bitter at the moment.

So my plan instead is to cut out the crystal and amber malts, perhaps adding just a touch more base malt but keep it around 4% ABV. I'll ferment as planned with Lallemand Verdant IPA, but slightly cooler at 18 rather than 20degC as I have an as yet unconfirmed suspicion this will dial down the esters a touch.

Depending how that pans out I might, later in the summer, try something similar with just American hops and ferment with BRY-97.

 

[StJayJay]

I do a beer I call A Classic American Blonde (I first did it for my mate, a policeman, for his stag do hence the name). I’ve done 4 versions which have been slightly different but the general gist is:

90-95% pale malt
5-10% adjunct (I’ve used flaked rice and flaked maize before, I preferred the rice if I’m being honest)

12g each citra and simcoe 10mins
13g each citra and simcoe 5mins

Ferment with US05 or BRY97 (I usually prefer BRY but my favourite attempt at this beer was the one with US05).


If you want to go more English, Summer Lightning from the Wheeler/CAMRA book always goes down well.

I also did a Hobgoblin gold clone a year or so back that came out very well if you want something more English but with a new world twist but it’s not quite as light and smashable as the other 2. It’s meant to be bittered with summit IIRC but I didn’t have any so had to switch it for Magnum :
View attachment 66952

Cheers, some great sounding things there, particularly like the sound of the A Classic American Blonde (took me a few reads to get that!)

 

[StJayJay]

I use Summit in a summer Blonde gives a gentle fruity flavour without being too strong

I’ve never used summit before, like the sound of the more subtle profile

 

[StJayJay]

I occasionally brew them as a way to trial a single hop. Usually 90% of whichever extra pale malt I have, plus 10% Munich. Spreading a 100g pack of hops out over the boil and a small dry hop, for a 15L batch. I find MJ Liberty Bell ideal for this, as its good with hops but interesting enough for a British beer.

I think a single hop may be the way I’m thinking. I’ve used MJ Liberty Bell before on some big IPA’s liked the result

 

[StJayJay]

But since the weather has started warming up I think I'm just not feeling another bitter at the moment

That’s what got me thinking that too. I have some sort of strong malty lager conditioning at the moment and an American IPA next in line. I was planning a bitter or a red ale after that but that sun came out yesterday and changed my mind. Look forward to hearing how yours goes

 

[MickDundee]

That’s what got me thinking that too. I have some sort of strong malty lager conditioning at the moment and an American IPA next in line. I was planning a bitter or a red ale after that but that sun came out yesterday and changed my mind. Look forward to hearing how yours goes

I’m well sorted for summer with my line up of brews - got a Helles and witbier kegged, a fruit Berliner Weisse fermenting, then a Kolsch and a user upper English golden planned for after.