O’ Neil Blonde

Brewed by O’Neil
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Paris, France

My brewing friend brought back to Norway a 5 liter keg bought at the O’Neil brewpub. A bit hazy, the beer pours light golden/yellow topped with a frothy white head that is short lasting, but that shows a fair lacing. Initially alcohol, bubble-gum and pear on the nose, reminding me of Leffe Blond. Easily drinkable. Sweetness, acidity and bitterness are all toned down, and it has a short slightly acidic finish. It is light bodied with a dry watery texture and soft carbonation. After a couple of glasses a taste and aroma of seaweed or oysters also comes through.

Draft at the brewpub. Gold with a white head. Light citrus aroma. Medium body, fine carbonation. Flavor is a bit light stone fruit. Hardly bitter.

Draught at the brewpub. Weak but OK grassy hop aroma. Clear yellow colour. Small white head. The flavour is quite hoppy, has a lot of grassy hop flavour, so much that it gets a little citric. Refreshing with a hoppy French beer.

From tap at the brewpub. Pours clear and golden yellow with a small white head. Aroma is sweet and light fruity, light cornish too. Light soapy hops fruity flavoured into a light citrusy base flavour. Fruity and light spiced finish.

Light yellow colored with lasting white head. Fruity and somehow berry aroma, hops also present with lemon. Medium bodied. Flavor is even more hopped with same lemon here, some flowers in aftertaste. Again, crispy and refreshing brew. Is it due to weather (+33C outside)...

Draught at the brewpub
Clean blond color; creamy head; nice lace. It has a delicate, grassy aroma, of malt and light citrusy hop, almost manure, as some English Golden Ale. Medium body structure, with a clean malty flavor (light but a bit crispy), and a reasonable bitterness (it would be better with a more aromatic hop). Quite good.

Draught at the brewpub. Hazy golden coloured. Yeasty aroma. Yeasty and sweet fruity flavour. Thin and light bodied. High carbonation level. Very bland Belgian style blond ale.