New Belgium Springboard Ale

With a Hokusai-inspired label and New Belgium’s reputation for inspired brewing, I was looking forward to an intriguing beer when I picked this up in QFC over the weekend. Promising a combination of “oats, ancient Chinese herbs, and Mt. Hood hops to maintain a balanced equilibirum” this blonde ale certainly hits the spot.

Like the label claims, this is a pretty refreshing brew - unfiltered, so there’s a certain creamy cloudiness to the pour that charms the eye. There’s a definete herbal bent to it, too. Not as far along the weird white wheat spectrum as a Hoegaarden, but a definite tang that adds to the complexity of the flavour. Peaches and coriander are what it reminds me of, though they’re not on the ingredients list.

Not overly hoppy, this beer found me in a relaxed and generous mood as I watched the kids bounce on the trampoline with the sun going down in the background. This was a decent ale to round off the late afternoon and get the evening started… definitely recommended for the summer drinking season.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Redhook Blonde Ale

The beer fridge is officially on line and in production.  That being the case, I had to stop by the store and get some filler beer to make sure I had something for folks to drink if they came over.  I have designated a shelf for my tasting and the rest of the fridge will be for general consumption.  Seems to be working so far, although I am going to make a sign just to be double sure.

One of the beers I purchased tonight was Redhook Blonde Ale.  I love Redhook and I have been a fan of their ESB ever since I had it, but I haven’t ventured out into the other ales much.  So this and their IPA were sitting at the gas station and I thought that would be a good start to the fridge.

A job well done, if I must say so myself.  Redhook’s Blonde Ale is a solid blonde with plenty of mild flavored goodness for a chilly spring day.  I enjoyed it while the kids played in the cul-de-sac, sipping back 2 or three and giving neighbors some of my other beer stock.  All in all, the mild flavor and gentle kick of hops and malt brought this one home for me and made it hit the spot.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

FireStation5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale

Likely the last beer post for about 1.5 weeks as we take the brood to Utah and Idaho to visit some family.  If I get the chance, I will get some local flavors up here, but not sure if they have the internet in either of those states yet, so we will see.

FireStation5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale comes from another brewery that doesn’t know what the internets are used for.  Ah well, here is the goods…  Label: “You’re assured of great taste!” and “Blonde is light in color and body with a rich flavor.”  Looks like they are out of Ukiah, CA.

The beer pours nice and light, looking like it is going to be an ale, but the flavor comes through pretty true.  Not much of a head, although I tried.  The taste is light but has some kick.  The kick almost verges on the realms of bitter, though, which pulls this one back from being anything but Middle of the Road.  An average beer (sorry Dave!)

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

New Belgium Springboard Ale

New Belgium Springboard Ale… I like this brewery.  I don’t think I have met a beer that I didn’t like that was brewed at the New Belgium Brewery (I particularly like their Skinny Dip in the summer time).  So that brings us to their Springboard Ale.  The first of two new beers from them in my fridge. 

So, how did it go?  Well, as good as I would expect from these folks… it didn’t disappoint at all.  Very light and refreshing, this blonde ale brings home a lightness and full flavor that I honestly wasn’t expecting.  It had just enough kick to keep it interesting and little enough of the bad beer side effects (bitterness and tart aftertaste) that I didn’t even understand how I had drained my mug so quickly.  A good head and beautiful light yellow color made it just as easy to look at as drink.  Highly recommended.

As a side note, their story is one that strikes optimism into the hearts of every serious beer drinker out there… read it here and tell me you don’t want to start brewing your own… especially if you happen to have an artist next door.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win