Redhook Blonde Ale: Redhook's summertime contribution
Written: May 28 '01 (Updated Jun 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent thirst quencher, nice hop, grainy character. Easy drinking
Cons: Would I sound too cynical if I asked for a little more hop?
The Bottom Line: An excellent summer quencher, pretty similar to a Helles. Combines nice mix of subtle malt with wheat and Saaz hops for a pilsner like finish. Worth trying.
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| andaryl's Full Review: Redhook Blonde Ale |
It was the worst thing that could happen. There I was mid second quarter of the Lakers demolition of San Antonio, when NBC just disappeared. ABC was there, I still had satellite, so what had happened? I wasn’t going to ask any more questions, it was a case of a trip to the nearby Beer Hunter. This is how I came across Redhook Blonde Ale.
The Redhook Story
Based in Seattle, the Redhook brewery was created in 1981, at a time when the American microbrew revolution was just starting to take off. The first beer produced was a spicy Belgian ale, which was met with mixed response. However future brews gradually strengthened the company’s reputation, with Blackhook Porter in 1983, and the successful Ballard Bitter in 1984. Redhook claim that their brewery in Seattle is the most technically advanced craft brewery in North America. Other Redhook breweries now exist in Woodinville, WA and Portsmouth, NH.
Redhook today is one of the larger reputable microbreweries, much in the same way as Sierra Nevada. Although part acquired (25%) by Anheuser-Busch, they still produce beers in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot (the strictest of purity laws). Today Redhook produces a respectable portfolio of brews the most widely available being ESB. You will also see their Doubleblack Stout popping up in beer guides as one of the best beers available.
The Blonde
Blonde Ale is a seasonal offering, ideally suited to summer temperatures. It’s a top fermented ale that uses Saaz hops for a pilsner like bitterness, along with a touch of wheat, an ingredient that is gaining popularity among summer brews in the USA. The ABV is a slightly stronger than average 5.4%. The brewery states that the recipe will vary from year to year depending upon availability of ingredients. That’s probably a marketing ploy to ensure we taste it every year.
Tasting Notes
I had mine on draft, and the pour was nice and foamy. The beer is light golden with a little cloudiness from the wheat, and a delicate white foamy head. My initial impression on the nose was a slight spicy hop, although there are signs of malt and a slight grainy aroma. The palate is fairly light but with a nice foamy and well carbonated mouthfeel. There are initial signs of malt, with some fruitiness at the tip of the tongue, while the grain also comes through in the flavor. The aftertaste is not particularly dominant but carries a hoppy, slightly citric bitterness, which is very satisfying and lingers for a minute or so.
The Verdict
This is a very good summer thirst quencher, and easy drinking too. I could have easily sat in the bar all afternoon and had half a dozen of these had I not made plans for the evening. It manages to combine the refreshing qualities of a lager with the extra character of an ale. Overall it seems fairly well balanced, although I would have liked a little more hop in the finish.
Who and When?
It’s not difficult to drink and pretty safe to recommend. If you like a Hefeweizen, this should be a good alternative. Also this wouldn’t be a difficult transition to make for fans of domestic lagers, and is certainly much better.
Ideally suited to a hot summer’s afternoon in the garden, this beer is fairly delicate and would probably pair well with a Salade Nicoise. Although I always prefer to try new stuff, I’m sure I’ll be drinking this again some time.
And what about those Lakers? Somehow they’ve been making every beer taste better the last couple of weeks.
Recommended:
Yes
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andaryl
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Member: Andrew Smith
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