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Blonde (Golden) Ale Beers for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to blonde ale
Blonde ale is one of the most approachable malt-based ale beverages. It falls somewhere between pale ale and Kolsch, which is a lighter version of pale ale. Due to its golden color, this easy-drinking malt beverage is also known as golden ale. It can be topped with added flavors such as clove, cinnamon, other spices and herbs, honey, or fruit extracts.
Also, there isn't any hard rule about the kind of yeast used. Blonde ale can be fermented with any yeast type. The pale color of blonde ale usually falls in the range of 3-7 SRM (standard reference method). In terms of bitterness, you can expect 15-25 IBU (international bitterness units). Blonde ale is also characterized by an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 4.1-5.1%.
It's tempting to assume that different beer cultures develop independently and do not influence one another. However, in reality, all countries that enjoy malt-based beverages — including Germany, Belgium, the U.K., and the U.S. — continue to exchange brewing techniques.
Pale beers are also known as "blonde" in countries like France, Brazil, and Belgium. Although blonde ales will always be pale, their taste may be totally different due to native influences and locally sourced ingredients.
About blonde ale
Blonde beer is light yellow to transparent gold in color. It is a crisp and dry malt beverage with a low to moderate bitterness quotient, light malt sweetness, and minimal hop aroma. The flavor of this ale varies from tangy to spicy. Fruit extracts like esters can be found in blonde ale. Carbonation may lead to a lighter body. This smooth and rounded American classic drink resembles a pale lager, making it tricky for novice tasters to differentiate between the two.
Types of blonde ale styles
- U.K. blonde ale: Breweries in the U.K. started brewing blonde ales as a summer beverage within the last century to grow their share of the pale lager market.
- Belgian-style blond ale: Belgian blonde ale uses either pilsner malt or wheat grain, both of which are aromatic. Belgian-style blonde ales use ale yeast for fermentation, giving them a mild to medium alcohol content. Duvel, the quintessential Belgian blonde ale, is popular worldwide. A few of the Belgian-style Blonde ales that you can order via Instacart include Allagash White, Northern Coast Brewing Company Belgian-Style Abbey Ale, Northern Coast Brewing Company Belgian-Style Golden Ale, and Leffe Blond.
- American-style blonde ale: The history of American-style blonde ale goes back as far as the 1970s, when craft beer brewing started in America. American blonde ale is a craft beer created by American brewers to provide an alternative to the lager-loving American people. It is considered a starter beverage, which means it is mild on your palate with sweetness from the malt and the crispness of a lager. A few of the American blonde ales that you may order via Instacart are Four Corners Local Buzz Golden Ale Crafts Beer, Genius Blonde American Lager, and Ballast Point Bonito Blonde Ale Craft Beer.
Tips for choosing a perfect blonde ale
- Blonde ale should not be very fruity in flavor. Instead, it should have just a hint of fruitiness.
- The hops character of blonder ale should be moderately balanced.
- The sweetness of the malt in blonde ale should be offset perfectly by the mild residue of hop bitterness.
- The alcohol content of blonde ale should also be low to moderate, with 3.8-5.5% ABV.
Blonde and Golden Ales Near Me
Buy your favorite Blonde and Golden Ales online with Instacart. Order Blonde and Golden Ales from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about blonde ale
Although their similar names might confuse buyers, there is a slight difference. Belgian-style golden strong ales are a stronger, more potent version of blonde ales. Their origin is similar, though. Many beverages, including Belgian-style golden strong ale and Belgian-style Tripel, developed out of blonde ale.
Blonde ale is essentially a hybrid beer, as it can be made with either lager or ale yeast. A warm fermentation process is used for lager yeast, while cold fermentation is used with ale yeast. Dry hops are added to both of these fermented products, and after a couple of days, they are ready to be packed.
Blonde ale goes well with spaghetti and meatballs, pepper jack cheese, and sugar cookies. Blonde ales should be served in tulip glassware, as this shape traps the sweet aromatic taste of blonde ale and helps it maintain a lively head. Ideally, blonde ale should be served at 45-50°.
Order a variety of blonde ales via Instacart to make your day a little easier!