Apparently, I’m one of the few out there that appreciates
Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale. Well, among beer geeks anyway. I’ve always
said it and I will say it again, but fruit beers, you see, are like the Rodney
Dangerfield of beer styles. They get no respect.
I don’t have a lot of use for such websites. These days, I think, they’re dominated by beer geeks that think the only beer worth drinking is a sledgehammer brew, a malt and hop dominated colossus of high alcohol content. I don’t agree. I love a good fruit beer, a hoppy pilsner, a soft malty Kolsch.
Saranac provides the following detail about their Blueberry Blonde Ale on their website:
Availability: 12 Beers of Summer 2012, 6 pack, 12 pack, draught, 12 pack cans
Brewers Notes:
Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale is a traidtional blonde ale with a kick of juicy blueberry. You'll notice a light golden haze from wheat malt and oats and a low hop bitterness, which really shows off the fruit. With a medium-light body and fresh blueberry flavor, we're sure we've captured refreshment in a bottle!
Beer Style: Fruit Ale
Malt Selections: 2 Row, wheat malt and oats
Hop Selections: Saaz
Color: Unfiltered, straw
Mouthfeel/Body: Light, smooth
Food Companions: Fresh seafood, goat or mild cheeses, salads
Alcohol By Volume: 5.0%
Original Gravity: 12
IBUs: 18
I bought a six-pack for $7.99 at Sherlock’s in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale
pours to a hazy golden color with a thick creamy head and a soft malty, berries
and cream nose. A fine layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of the glass
and descends with the liquid to the bottom of the glass. Taking a sip, I get a
firm biscuit malt palate with quickly emerging blueberry fruit.
The difference here is the oats, I think. They add a creamy silkiness that works so well with the fruit. Along with a gentle, balanced hop finish, the beer is one you’ll want to keep on sipping.
Pretentious beer geeks be damned, this is a very nice blueberry ale. Try it for yourself, and make your own decisions. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.
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