Back in July 6th of 2015, I had my very first pint of Nantahala Dirty Girl Blonde Ale. It was at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, and I didn’t think much of it at the time, writing: Borderline macro with diacetylmorphine and fruit. Way too much diacetyl, and I like Diacetyl. Hardly a ringing endorsement. I’m all about second chances, so when I saw it on tap at the new Harrah’s Valley River Casino in Murphy, North Carolina, I ordered another. I’m glad I did.
Dirty Girl Blonde is a popular beer at both Harrah’s locations, and that should be no surprise. The beer is lager-like in its light maltiness, unoffensive and unassuming, and gently hopped to boot. My second sampling was on June 14th of 2018, and when we visited Harrah’s Cherokee at the end of June there it was on tap there, too. In addition to the light nature of the beer which broadens appeal, the brewery has the benefit of being in Bryson City, about halfway between the two casinos.
Nantahala says on their website:
Your gateway to craft beer. Light, crisp and lager-ishly refreshing. Brilliantly clear with sparkling carbonation, our dirty girl is a light easy - drinking - american blonde. Crisp and refreshing throughout with hints of noble hops in the aroma.
Nantahala Dirty Girl Blonde Ale has an alcohol content of 5.75% by volume with 10 IBUs. I paid $4.72 for a pint at Harrah’s. The brewery is named for the Nantahala National forest; Nantahala in Cherokee means "Land of the Noonday Sun."
My pint of Nantahala Dirty Girl Blonde Ale arrived pale golden in color with a light filmy head and a soft clean malty aroma. Taking a sip, the beer has a subtle biscuit malt character, is clean, and finishes with a soft gentle hop bitterness. Hey, it’s a blonde ale, and it cats like one.
Would I buy it again? I already did, and sure, I probably will again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler