Summer Seasonal 2008 - This is Belgian Blonde ale has a unique, spicy flavor. It is moderate in body. Kirby has used nearly 300 pounds of sugar to boost the strength to an ABV of 6.7%.
Available June-July 2008.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (9/17/2008 9:54:34 PM)
"As I pour this into my 25cl tulip glass an aroma of grassy grain and then a touch of sweet grain hits my nose. The beer pours with a frothy, initially three-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a rich gold hue that shows a bright, full gold color when held up to the light. The nose has a touch of fruitiness to it that reminds me just a bit of brandy, green apples, unripe melon and perhaps a touch of something like cucumber. The before mentioned grassy grain notes are noticeable towards the end as is a crushed saltine cracker like aroma. Not overly characterful in the aroma department, this is a bit bland for the type of Belgian-styled beer that I prefer, but it is within the bounds of commercial Belgian examples (especially from the bigger breweries).
Sweet flavors of fruit, malt and alcohol lead the way. There is a bit of clove in the middle and a touch of hot alcohol to the finish. The fruit flavors are a mix of sweet green apples, watermelon rind, and lightly tart green grapes. While this has a only slight heft to it, one that I typically look for in Belgian interpretations, this comes off somehow as thin, which I think is more because the flavors seem a bit bland somehow. Bland may be the wrong description though as there are definitely some characterizing flavors here, it is perhaps more apt to say that this doesn't have the finesse & edge to it that is needed to make this a balanced, characterful brew. A touch of honey-like malt sweetness and a faint grassy grain character, mixed with a light pale-malt biscuit note both of which tend to linger a bit in the finish.
Not a bad beer, but for some reason just doesn't seem to work for me. I am looking for a bit more character and finesse to make this really good. Somehow this just seems to taste a bit too much like cheap malt liquor."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[2] Review by bluesandbarbq from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/22/2008 7:40:53 PM)
"Courtesy of the Wisconsin Beer Mafia - including BeerHunter and pfoxyjohn - both sent me this outstanding brew.
Pours a nice clear amber with a thin head and a little lacing. Some carbonation but not much. Aromas of sweet malts, fruits - bananas, cloves, spices and a decent amount of hops. Taste is nice with sweet maltiness and a banana-bubble gum-clove, also some zesty pepper and then a hops finish. Nice Belgian. Thanks guys! "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[3] Review by pfoxyjohn from Watertown, WI, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (6/29/2008 11:36:13 PM)
"Clear amber-hued gold color with a short-lived slight white head and little lacing. Pleasing aromas of spice and fruit although seemingly more weiss-like than belgian. Full, smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Flavors true to style, if a bit reserved. Soft and nicely balanced with a pleasant fruit-sweet-tangy finish. Rather timid, but nice. MUSIC: 'The Way I Am' by Ingrid Michaelson"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by Phishpond417 from Madtown, Wisc, USA who has tried this beer once. (6/4/2008 5:54:06 PM)
"Sampled from bottle: pours a semi hazey bright golden colour with a very small head. Aroma was pleasent of bananna, cloves, orange peel and some other spice. Taste was lightly carbonated, but fruity on the palate- orange again, yeast, wheat and a little bit of a peppery finish"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.79 Unit Cost: $2.39 per Pint
[5] Review by BeerHunter from Green Bay, WI, USA who has tried this beer once. (6/4/2008 5:50:03 PM)
"This one poured a clear golden color with a firm white head. It had a spicy aroma and a heavy mouthfeel. It had a dry malty flavor with sweetness typical of most Belgian ales. Nice touch of hops."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.5 Unit Cost: $2 per Pint
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(3.4)
