BJCP 2021 / 25A
Belgian Blond Ale
A smooth, pale, gently fruity Belgian ale of moderate strength.
- Drink fresh
- high strength
- pale color
- top fermented
- western europe
Serve: 42 to 48F, Tulip or goblet
OG1.120
1.062 to 1.075FG1.030
1.008 to 1.018IBU120
15 to 30SRM40
4 to 6ABV14%
6.0 to 7.5%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Light pale malt with a touch of honey
- Orange and pear fruit from Belgian yeast
- Mild pepper spice
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Pale malt, orange and pear
- Best
- Low to moderate sweet pale malt, light orange and pear ester, faint peppery spice, low hop
Appearance
3 pts- Light gold to deep gold
- Clear
- Dense white head
- Vague
- Gold
- Better
- Gold, clear, big head
- Best
- Light to deep gold, brilliantly clear, dense white head that persists
Flavor
20 pts- Soft pale malt with a light honey sweetness
- Orange, pear and pepper from the yeast
- Light hop, balanced finish
- Vague
- Balanced
- Better
- Sweet pale malt and light fruit
- Best
- Moderate pale malt sweetness with honey, light orange and pear ester, faint pepper, low bitterness, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Medium-high carbonation
- Smooth, slightly warming
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, warm
- Best
- Medium body, smooth, light alcohol warmth, medium-high carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Subtle complexity
- Hidden alcohol
Drops it
- Hot alcohol
- Cloying sweetness
Writing tip
Say if alcohol is hidden. Example: 'Honeyed malt and light orange fruit with a smooth warm finish. Easy and balanced.'
Pour these
- Leffe BlondeAbbaye de LeffeSoft honey and a spicy finish
- Affligem BlondAffligemFruity, smooth and approachable
- BlondeGrimbergenLight fruit, gentle sweetness
Often confused with
- 26C Belgian TripelTripel is stronger, drier and more spicy
- 25C Belgian Golden Strong AleBelgian Golden Strong is stronger and more effervescent
Fine here
- Estery: Orange and pear fruit belong
- Alcoholic: Light warmth fits
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot fusels
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.