Red Bell Blonde Ale

Product Reviewed: Red Bell Blonde Ale
Brewed by: Red Bell Brewing Co.; Philadelphia, PA
Reviewed By: David Brockington
Original Posted to Usenet: December 5, 1994

Would you believe it! A review, albiet a short one.

Initial Impressions:

Red Bell is a self-described "Kolsch style ale" brewed with 2-row malted barley and wheat malts. Indeed the pour from the bottle resulted in a golden beer, displaying excellent clarity and good head retention from the white head. Use of wheat is consistent with the style.

Nose:

The only thing I noted in the nose was a hint of malt -- nothing else to speak of.

Flavor:

A subtle maltiness came on first, followed by a mere hint of lactic acidity. The beer finished dry, lacking in any perceivable hop character.

Final Analysis:

From my understanding of the style, a true Kolsch ought to have a modicum of hop characteristic to it, which this beer lacked. However, since a Kolsch also ought to be a restrained beer, the hops were not terribly missed. The hint of lactic acidity was barely present -- not enough to consider it a fault, at least in this glass. All in all, an innocuous beer.

*** (out of 5 for those who can't recall my system)

Next Up:

Big Time's Old Rip Oatmeal Stout

David Brockington, Seattle, USA
bronyaur@u.washington.edu