• 3. LIGHT ALE

    3A. Blond Ale

    Aroma:

    Some fruitiness; may have low to medium hop bouquet, principally from American hop varieties. Light maltiness. Low diacetyl OK.

    Appearance:

    Pale straw to deep gold in color. Clear to brilliant. Good head retention.

    Flavor:

    Soft, lightly malty palate, some fruitiness and hop flavor present. Usually balanced with a light to medium bitterness, though the accent tilts towards malt. Hop bitterness low to medium, although some versions are very restrained with hops, making the beer sweet in character. Low levels of diacetyl acceptable.

    Mouthfeel:

    Medium body, though lighter mouthfeel from higher carbonation may be noticed.

    Overall Impression:

    This beer is generally balanced with light hops and malt as an introduction to alternate beer styles for the mass-market beer consumer.

    History:

    Currently produced by (American) microbreweries and brewpubs.

    Ingredients:

    Generally all malt.

    Vital Statistics:

    OG: 1.045-1.060

    IBUs: 15-33 FG: 1.008-1.015

    SRM: 2-8 ABV: 4-6%

    Commercial Examples:

    Catamount Gold, Goose Island Blonde, Bridgeport Pintail Ale.

    3B. American Wheat

    Aroma:

    Characteristic of wheat with some graininess. Bavarian Weizen’s clovey and banana aromas are inappropriate. Hop aroma may be high or low but if present will be from American hop varieties.

    Appearance:

    Usually pale straw to gold. Dark versions approximating Dunkel Weizens are acceptable. Clarity may range from brilliant to hazy with yeast approximating the hefe Weizen style of beer. Big, long-lasting head.

    Flavor:

    Light graininess. Bavarian Weizenbier flavors such are banana esters and clove-like phenols are inappropriate. Hop flavor may be from low to high. Hop bitterness low to medium. Some fruitiness from ale fermentation acceptable; however, the use of a fairly neutral American ale yeast usually results in a clean fermentation. Little to no diacetyl.

    Mouthfeel:

    Light to medium body. Higher carbonation is appropriate. Mouthfeel will appear lighter than actual body due to higher levels of carbonation.

    Overall Impression:

    A light, refreshing beer that exhibits balanced hop and wheat maltiness.

    Ingredients:

    Standard ale yeast. Often 50% wheat malt or more.

    Vital Statistics:

    OG: 1.035-1.055

    IBUs: 10-30 FG: 1.008-1.015

    SRM: 2-8 ABV: 3.7-5.5%

    Commercial Examples:

    Otter Creek Summer Wheat, Anchor Wheat, Boulevard Wheat, Pyramid Hefe-Weizen.

    3C. Cream Ale

    Aroma:

    Low hop aroma may be present. Low levels of DMS acceptable. Low maltiness. Some character from the use of corn as an adjunct may be present.

    Appearance:

    Pale straw to pale gold. Clear to brilliant. Good head retention.

    Flavor:

    Low hop bittering. Low maltiness; however, grainy sweetness from corn may be present. Low levels of fruitiness OK. Balanced, clean fermentation. No diacetyl.

    Mouthfeel:

    Light body. Well carbonated. Smooth mouthfeel.

    Overall Impression:

    A light, refreshing, thirst-quenching beer.

    History:

    Adaptation of American light lager. Fermented as an ale, followed by cold conditioning or a blending of ale and lager beers, which reduces the fermentation byproducts.

    Ingredients:

    Corn or rice is often used as adjuncts.

    Vital Statistics:

    OG: 1.044-1.055

    IBUs: 10-22 FG: 1.007-1.010

    SRM: 2-4 ABV: 4.4-5.7%

    Commercial Examples:

    Genesee Cream Ale, Little Kings Cream Ale.