35 of the Best Blonde Ales, Blind-Tasted and Ranked

Learn about how we rate & review beers with our BJCP blind panel here


New Planet Blonde Ale (63)

“Light and refreshing, our Blonde ale offers a straightforward taste profile with bright notes of honey and a subtle floral aroma with a crisp clean finish. Cascade hops.”

Dust Bowl Brewing Co. California Line Vanilla Blonde Ale (79)

“A crisp, refreshing blonde ale perfect for our California climate. An addition of vanilla beans to the finished beer gives this relatively sweet ale a mild vanilla aroma and flavor reminiscent of cream soda.”

Brouwerij Het Anker Gouden Carolus Tripel (79)

“This pleasant golden blond beer is preferred by all who love heavier, some- what seasoned, and refreshing beer. The full-bodied flavor still quenches the thirst, thanks to a balanced hopping. Bottle-conditioned and all natural.”

Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille Jandrain IV Saison (80)

“Blonde beer, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and fermented in the bottle. This beer is brewed with only the four basic ingredients (water, malt, hops, yeast). Jandrain IV used different hops to give it its special character.”

The Lost Abbey Zinners & Saints (82)

"A blonde sour beer aged over zinfandel grapes for 3 months, creating a tart, slightly sweet ale with tons of oak and Brett on the back end."

Kannah Creek Apricot Sour (83)

“A session Belgian blonde ale soured with apricots. Pairs well with seasoned sour drinkers or those new to the style.”

Garage Brewing Company 951 Blonde Ale (84)

A golden-hued, well-balanced beer that is crisp and most refreshing.

Sun King Brewing Orange Vanilla Sunlight Cream Ale (84)

Combines smooth malt character with the flavors of vanilla and orange, all with a crisp, clean finish.

Wolf's Ridge Brewing Daybreak (85)

We infuse our pre-Prohibition-style ale with light roast beans from Columbus’ own One Line Coffee in addition to robust vanilla.

Perennial Artisan Ales Southside Blonde (85)

Dry, bitter, and popping with lemon, orange, and dried herbs, it finds balance through sweet pilsner malt, wheat, and a classic Belgian yeast strain.

Lawson's Finest Liquids Knockout Blonde (86)

“Watch out! This bitter blonde packs a hoppy punch with a flavorful blend of North American malts and copious amounts of Cascade and Centennial hops.”

5:00 O'Clock Afternoon Ale Renegade Brewing (86)

“With a uniquely bready nose, this smooth easy-drinking beer contains qualities of a blonde and a Pilsner while being a unique creation. Sometimes beers are more than styles and titles; they are a state of mind.”

Taneum Creek Brewing Day Drinkin' on the Farm - Cluster (87)

Barrel fermented kveik blonde ale dry-hopped with Cluster and can conditioned with honey.

Deep Ellum Dallas Blonde (88)

“In a town famous for its bottled blondes, we’ve reset the bar. This golden ale combines citrusy and floral American hops with pale, Vienna, and wheat malts. It’s a balanced, sessionable brew.”

Perennial Southside Blonde (89)

“Southside Blonde is a sessionable Belgian-style blonde ale that is light-bodied and dry with a hint of fruitiness from the yeast. Southside is a friendly pairing with a variety of foods and an approachable choice for all types of beer drinkers.”

Yazoo Brewing Co Octatonic (89)

“Mixed-culture blonde ale collaboration featuring local grains and microbes from each brewery. Aged in pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and neutral Allagash barrels.”

Brewery Ommegang Gnomegang (89)

“This blonde ale is a co-creation of Brewery Ommegang and Brasserie d’Achouffe. It employs five malts, two noble hops, and the Ommegang and Chouffe yeasts. Enjoy the smooth drinkability, fruity aromas and flavors, and warming finish.”

Civil Life Brewing Company Cream Ale (90)

Crisp, accessible, golden beer with low hop character and a clean finish.

Prison City Brewing Seward's Folly (90)

Blonde ale dry-hopped with Mosaic.

Surly First Avenue +1 (90)

“The key to +1 is balance and simplicity. Subtle hops notes, low bitterness, and a refreshing malt profile carry this light-bodied, low-ABV beer. And not to take away from the beer, but the can is an absolute beauty.”

Broad Brook Brewing Company Biere de Pêche (90)

“A Belgian-style blonde ale brewed with peaches, cinnamon, and vanilla.”

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery Chandelle (90)

“Our blonde ale is aged for a year in white-wine barrels with our house sour- ing culture. Then we add fresh apricots. The tart flavors and aromas of the fresh fruit balance the sour base.”

Antiques On High Righteous Patina (90)

“Sour blonde ale with Ohio-grown black raspberries.”

50 West Brewing Doom Pedal (90)

“This Belgian-style white ale pours a hazy blonde. Coriander, orange peel, and grains of paradise come together to masterfully blend black peppery spiciness with crisp, sweet citrusy notes.”

Four Saints Brewing Omie (91)

A light bodied, not-too-malty, not-too-hoppy, clean, and refreshing beer great for all seasons, reasons, and menus.

Dry Dock Apricot Blonde (91)

“A misty golden blonde ale fermented with shiploads of fruit. A crisp clean finish and just enough apricot to make this a favorite. Combine with sunshine and friends for full effect.”

Pondaseta Brewing Co. The Beckiest (92)

Classic blonde ale base, brewed with pumpkin and cinnamon, conditioned with local coffee and pumpkin spice.

Prison City Seward's Folly (92)

“Blonde ale dry hopped with Mosaic. Dry, clean, toasted malt backbone and a citrusy finish.”

Sun King Brewing Sunlight Cream Ale (95)

Balances smooth malt complexity with a crisp, clean finish.

Perrin Brewing Co. Lazarus Sour (95)

"Sour blonde aged in used French oak wine barrels and naturally soured."

Our Mutual Friend Brewing Gelber Rauch (96)

Balanced, smokey, and delicious.

Firestone Walker 805 (96)

“A light, refreshing blonde ale created for the laid-back California lifestyle. Subtle malt sweetness is balanced by a touch of hops, creating a versatile beer with a clean finish.”

Urbanrest Brewing Company Wine Barrel Blonde (96)

“Blonde ale fermented with monastery yeast. Conditioned in French oak red-wine barrels.”

Prison City Brewing Laser Brain (97)

Blonde ale fermented with Brettanomyces and souring bacteria. Dry hopped with Galaxy and Mosaic.

Upland Brewing Oak Timbre (97)

"Oak Timbre is Basis, our blonde ale, aged on Indiana-grown chambourcin grapes for 6 months in brand-new oak wine barrels. The result is a sour ale that pours deep burgundy with wine-like flavors and aromas complemented by tannins pulled from the fresh barrels."