vandeStreek - Bumper Blond

Arriving from the Netherlands in a 33cl can, the ingredients are given as barley malt, hops, coriander and lemon peel. The Utrecht brewery website details the hops as being Columbus and Goldings. The beer is vegan and < 0.5% ABV. When poured into a glass the beer goes flat quite quickly whilst the aroma is slightly herbal. Tastewise, Bumper's main characteristic is one of breadiness - the coriander is hardly noticeable - and the finish is somewhat malty. The beer has a low carbonation level. Overall, Bumper is drinkable but is not the most enticing of brews.

2 / 5

Lowtide - Atomic Blonde

The Bath brewery has created a limited edition Belgian blonde beer, with the twist of it being made using apricots. The hops are Yellow Sub and Pacifica, whilst the grains include oat, wheat and pils malt. There's a touch of spices in the mix too. The ale is delivered from a 440 ml can, has a declared ABV of < 0.5 % and it is a vegan product. Pouring the beer creates a very modest white head which soon subsides and the nose is strongly of sweet apricots, as if you have just opened a jar of conserve. With all that apricot puree used in its production it's no surprise that the dominant taste is of apricot but with an undertow of honey and orange. Maybe a hint of butter as well, but I don't detect any spicy element. The mouthfeel is certainly soft and creamy whilst the finish is pleasantly sweet. The flavour profile is simple but effective and it is an easy-drinking beer with a low hop character and a light body.

3 / 5

Leffe - Blond 0.0

Leffe beers are in the Belgian abbey style, trading heavily on tradition - the label boasts "Anno 1240." But it's a long time since the beers were produced by monks; these days the brand is a part of the global giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. This beer is their 0.0 % ABV take on their original alcoholic blond beer and ingredients listed include barley, maize, sugar and "natural aromas." It comes in a 250 ml bottle and when poured it quickly goes flat. The aroma is rather bread-like but with a hint of spice. Tastewise there is a slightly cloying mixture of pear, clove and strong esters. The mouthfeel is moderate whilst the finish is bitter. It certainly has a complexity but the components of the beer just don't seem to marry up. 

3 / 5

Force Majeure - Blonde

A Belgian style beer that, luckily, comes from Belgium and weighs in at 0.4% ABV. When poured into the glass it is quite lively and needs dispensing gently. It creates a billowing white head, which soon disappears. On the nose, the aroma is rather reticent, faintly grassy and a tad bitter. Tastewise it is equally reticent, faintly grassy again but with some sweetness. Unsurprisingly, given its initial behaviour, it is gassy in the mouth; which almost hides the thin watery body. The aftertaste is short and dry. Disappointing.

2/5

De Halve Maan - Sportzot

The Half Moon brewery has been brewing beer in Bruges for around 500 years. This, their first AF version of their blonde beer, is a little more recent - first produced in 2018. It is (naturally enough) based on a traditional recipe but is then dealcoholised (but unfiltered and bottle conditioned). The beer pours a hazy dark orange colour with a big white foam topping. The aroma is powerful - malty and fruity on a sour base. On the palate the flavours are equally upfront and the mouthfeel is quite lively. The aftertaste has a confident tartness. The overall balance of the ale is just right. A real sipping beer, typically Belgian.

5/5

Nogne O - Stripped Craft

A blonde ale from a Norwegian brewery, Stripped Craft makes use of four American hops - Cascade, Chinook, Columbus and Centennial. It is described as a "lime infused ale" - lime juice is a part of the recipe, as well as the dry hopping incorporating lime zest. The beer is pale yellow and produces a moderate white head. It is a strongly aromatic brew - pine, grapefruit, floral and...guess what...lime. Tastewise there is (unsurprisingly) a strong component of lime; it dominates the otherwise sweet malt flavour. The after-taste is rather bitter and a little sour too.

2 / 5 

De Brabandere - Kwaremont Blonde Ale

This Belgian ale has a bright yellow body and a decent white head that leaves a moderate amount of lacework down the glass. It's quite yeasty in aroma with some grass and floral notes. The taste is pleasantly soft and  has a hint of banana and maybe bubblegum. The mouthfeel is good and the aftertaste is akin to creamy caramel.

3/5