Blonde 2005

Atlanta Brewing’s Red Brick Blonde scored a gold medal in the “golden or blonde ale” category at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival, and our tasting panel also found it an exceptionally drinkable yet flavorful illustration of the style. With an attractive yellow/gold color like sunshine and a creamy stand of white foam, this giddy ale also pours remarkably clear with a bright sparkle. Phil noted “light maltiness in the aroma with a touch of wheat-like breadiness.” Clean, pleasant aromatics also include restrained, citrusy hops and mild fruity esters that Owen and Phil described respectively as “tropical fruit hints” and “a trace of strawberry.” With respect to flavor, Ed found “light malty notes of white bread crust, moderate hop flavor in the middle and light hop bitterness in the slightly dry finish.” Malt flavor comes through as complex, without being overpowering for the style. Some biscuit and wheat hints lend to a smooth and slightly sweet flavor profile balanced nicely by an elegant, citrusy, spicy hop undertone yielding a crisp, dry finish. Owen added, “The somewhat dry finish holds a slight woody, oaky character from the bittering hops.” Phil described this thirst-quenching yet notable Blonde Ale as “an extremely sessionable pint that would start beginning beer lovers down the Yellowbrick Craft Beer Road.” Ed called it “a tasty summer beer to enjoy on the deck by the pool.”