Proxy grabs a blonde
Aug 17 '04
The Bottom Line It's not hard to find round these parts
In recent weeks, I've been frequenting my local JD Wetherspoons pub. There's plenty to criticise about this chain, but there's also plenty to praise. One thing I like about them is the fact that there's always a good selection of real ales - plenty of them are regulars, but there's also an ever-changing array of guests.
Oxymoronically, one of the beers they have as a guest regularly, is Arran Blonde.
Close to Broderick Castle in the shadow of the island's highest mountain, Goat Fell, there can be few breweries commanding such a scenic setting as the Arran Brewery. From their modern brewery, using natural ingredients with no additives, they produce a range of ales including Arran Light, Dark and this one, Blonde.
THEY SAY:
"A pale golden beer, clear tasting in a continental style, with floral hop and new mown grass aroma. The pallette is of citric fruit with a well balanced finish with good hop character."
Abridged from:
http://www.arranbrewery.com/
Speaking of blondes...
There's a blonde and a brunette in a elevator when a man walks in with really bad dandruff. The brunette says "Someone should give him Head and Shoulders."
The blonde replies "How do you give shoulders?"
Back to the beer...
ARRAN BLONDE pours a slightly hazy, deep golden colour with a moderate head of snow-white foam that lasts reasonably well and coats the glass with a decent amount of lace.
The aroma is initially a little sweet and grainy, but soon demonstrates its high level of hopping. It's peppery and spicy, and there's a good flourish of herbs and a definite grassy note to it. The yeast is also noticeable, with a faint mustiness in the background, but it's the flowery herbs that dominate.
Although it's very hoppy, the taste is actually very well balanced in this light-bodied brew with a relatively soft and creamy mouth feel. The grainy wheat flavour is complimented by a prominent fruitiness - I would say peaches, although there's a hint of orange in there too (probably cascade hops). As with the aroma, floral hops play a big part in the make-up of this beer, and there's a good, spicy, peppery kick to it. It finishes slightly bitter and very dry, with a pine-like, resiny aftertaste.
• The Verdict •
At 5%ABV, this is quite a pleasant and easy-drinking beer. Although there's a substantial amount of wheat used in the manufacture, it would be wrong to describe it as an out-and-out wheat beer. It has some of the characteristics - a little hazy, lots of spice and good refreshing qualities, but it has more in common with a pale ale I think (especially an American one).
That's as may be, but at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter how you classify it, the proof is in the drinking, and this one drinks easily and satisfyingly. It's refreshing, thirst-quenching, tasty and just complex enough to be interesting. I can't think that there's much more to look for in a beer.
A nice summer ale.
I paid £1.50-something for this in the pub, which is an excellent price considering a 500ml bottle will set you back £1.79 in most supermarkets.
Would I drink it again? - I already have. In fact arran all the way to the pub for some.
Sláinte
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Alcohol & calculus don't mix. Don't drink & derive
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