Mission Blonde - Mission Brewery

McNealc31

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours remarkably clear and light. If not for the thicker white head, you might have trouble telling this from a macro lager just from the sight. The aroma is mostly grass and straw with some faint grape and peach in the background. Flavor isn't particularly strong, but the grass and straw flavors and fruity notes come through. Finishes a little dry.

I don't dislike this, but I don't know if I'd have it again. The flavor isn't bad, there just isn't much there.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:59:23 | More by McNealc31

bbluemzbeer

California

3.24/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

This beer is not bad. It is laid back and I enjoy that. Seems to be quite sessionable.

Appearance: The beer was clear and straw colored with a nice pillowy white head, about a fingers thickness.
Smell: Malty and sweet fragrance with low hop

Taste: The CO2 flats out but the beer yet the sizzle remains in the background of fruit and odd way which is good way. It very mellow and would be good session beer. Th hops are balance with malt
Mouthfeel: Nice light body, with good carbonation and a clean finish.
Overall: It is a very drinkable beer for summer. I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 17:54:47 | More by bbluemzbeer

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

actually self titled a kolsch, this is more of a german American hybrid. it pours a mostly clear golden blond color, with just a thin head that fades fast, nothing special to look at. the nose is slightly fruity, with pilsner malts in the background and some german feeling yeast that's both doughy and dry. the flavor of this ale is very light, with some straw-like malts and just a dusting of hops coming through. mellow fruit, although it flashes too quick to properly identify it. finish is mildly bitter, a little contaminated, as if by minerals, hard water or something, I don't know. good feel though, drinkable nice and easy. carbonation is much better than it appears, and the body is only light. a good summer quencher, but not a beer that has anything new to offer. I think the ipa is the best of the mission beers so far, but I still have the Russian imperial in the fridge, so there is some hope remaining. a beer my Molson drinking father would adore. for me, just another day at the office.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 06:06:33 | More by StonedTrippin

schoolboy

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This is a nicely made American Blonde. It has a clear dark yellow (but still yellow) color and not much head (it's maybe slightly too cold).

The aroma is floral hoppy, and not too subtle. The taste is really nicely balanced. There are equal parts of all elements. It's not too anything - sweet, bitter, etc. Even though, it makes a nice statement. It finishes much boozier than it should.

I have a couple others from this brewery to try this weekend so I look forward to those after this good experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 16:34:54 | More by schoolboy

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - A mildly hazy bright yellow with a 1/2 inch of white head.

S - Smell is a twist of lemon, grassy hops, and a bit of malty bread.

T - Kind of clean tasting mostly lemon grass and a touch of bready bite. Mild timid and easy drinking.

M - Light to medium

A very forgettable ale that does bring both flavors of a blond and a klosh but doesn't really make you want to come back for more. OK I guess.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 22:04:53 | More by DrDemento456

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a stange glass.

Look - golden color, kind of hazy, with about half a finger's worth of frothy off-white colored foam.

Smell - malty overall, but I can't discern much else.

Taste - malty in taste too, and a bit grainy-tasting as well. Not terribly sweet though, but the bitterness is mild too.

Mouthfeel - pretty well balanced overall, not too creamy and not too watery.

Overall - not a bad tasting brew at all, but not terribly intriguing to think about.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 03:48:31 | More by Nerudamann

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light orange gold, thin white head retains pretty well.

Smells of lagery barley malts and some light citrus.

Tastes of mild slightly roasted malts and bready elements.

Medium body with a light carbonation down the throat.

Highly drinkable and tasty if mundane ale, very easily sessionable despite being just at the high end strength-wise for that. Very thirst-quenching. Nothing unique but nothing to complain about either.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 23:27:48 | More by Cylinsier

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brilliant golden flowing carbonation, bright white head, which slowly fades away and leaves speckled lace patterns across the sides of my glass. Light kiss of herbal hops mild citrus note, smooth grainy bread filled blonde ale on the nose. Flavor light easy going, beer doesn't challenge the senses to the extreme but definitely a well executed warm weather beer that would come in handy in the summer on this coast and yearly on the left coast. Even malt balance light herbal hops, biscuit malt clean finish. Simple light bodied ale, with ample carbonation smooth clean finish minimal booze. Overall impressive simplicity quite enjoyable there's nothing wrong with any of the Mission beers I've come across.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 22:26:47 | More by WVbeergeek

Drinkerofales

California

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A slightly hazy golden straw liquid is topped with a large dirty white head, which leaves some lacing as it dissipates rather quickly.

Smells of malt, clean, yeast, and a bit of lemony citrus.

Tastes as well of tangy lemon, but a bitter yeasty finish that leaves an undesirable tastes in my mouth.

Feels a bit thin and fizzy, but is easy to drink.

Meh, not a fan. The beer misses on almost every mark, especially, the cleanliness of a blond. The only place where it's true is the smell, and that does not make for a good beer.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 18:44:58 | More by Drinkerofales

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

These just started showing up around here, so should be interesting to try them...

Pours a light fizzy 1/2 finger pasty white head that fades at a med pace to a light head covering, with some typical lacing, over slightly hazy golden lemonaide colored beer, not quite as clear as I expected of a kolsch.

Nose is somewhat pilsner like, plenty of cracked straw and toasted malts, grainy, with some soft and crisp lager like aromas that make it seem more like a lager than an ale, with hints of grassy floral noble hops.

Taste starts again more like a lager, with a soft almost crispness, and very slight metallic lager like. Then grainy malts, cracked straw, toasty pilsner malts, almost pilsner like but without the complexity of a nice decoction. Also plenty of hops, not too bitter but a big grassy floral noble hop component that adds just a hint of fruity flavors. It seems like it wants to get crisp and bright but can't, which is probably the difference between an ale and lager yeast. The finish gives a nice hoppy bite with more grassy noble hops, fairly dry but not quite crisp, and nice light toasty malts on the finish.

Mouth is lighter bodied, typical for the style, with decent carb.

Overall not bad, but seems like it's missing something. It is a Kolsch but more like an ale version of a pilsner, lots of toasty grainy malts, straw, and plenty of noble hops, with a slight metallic twinge and a light and slightly crisp but more ale like finish. I think it would have been better with a lager yeast, or if they had gone more kolsch like... then again they call it a blonde ale and more "kolsch-style" so it's hard to really judge it that way.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 00:34:44 | More by jlindros

Offa

California

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a light and straightforward, but very tasty, solid blonde ale, with good character and depth.

Gold, it has a big off-white head soon thinning to a ring and wisps, some lace.

Aroma is light crisp apple, mineral, yeasty grain, hint of leaves. It is a lot like a slightly different, yeastier version of a solid pale lager.

Taste is similar, yeasty apples, bread dough, light peppery grassy bitterness under the light sweetness. It is light ans simple, but solid and well-rounded, and holds up well.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 01:57:26 | More by Offa

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- pours a golden straw color with perfect clarity. A finger and a half of bone white head crowns the liquid. Ok retention.

S- aromas of cracker grainy malt blends with a hint of herbal Nobel hops. A touch of light fruitiness and an aspirin quality on the finish.

T- starts off with a light malt sweetness and some cracker pilsner malt flavors. Subtle herbal noble hop flavor barely comes out in the middle with a touch of asprin. Finishes dry with a light fruit and spice note.

MF- light grainy mouthfeel with a light body and medium carbonation.

D- drinkable yes. More of a summer brew though

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:53:29 | More by Viciousknishs

mactrail

California

3.08/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Light body, light color. I wouldn't call it much of a Kölsch. Seems to be missing that aromatic component. A sourish taste that is disconcerting. Looks nice, golden with some foamy lacing. Decent carbonation in the mouth. A touch of fragrant hops. Aftertaste is salty. 20 IBU according to the label.

This could be a decent quaff except for the peculiar whiff of spoiled fruit flavor. Mission makes some good brews but this is not one of the stars.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 06:44:01 | More by mactrail

wadecats

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle from Healthy Spirits in SF - a very good American Kölsch that does it's own thing but not quite German tasting by Kölsch standards. Smooth and spicy, filtered most likely, without being super crisp.

Nice level of carbonation, slight amber to the gold color and tight healthy head.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 17:00:04 | More by wadecats

Halcyondays

California

2.58/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

12 oz. bottle, Kolsch is one of my favourite low alcohol styles so I always enjoy trying a new one,

A: Pours a clear goldenrod with a small fizzy white head, solid retention, no lace.

S: Cracked grain, some earthy hops which are a bit off-putting.

T: Some bready malt again with a somewhat dirty hop profile. Light ale fruit.

M: Light-bodied, pretty smooth, soft prickly carbonation.

O: Not really a good example of the style. Their hefe is amazing so I know what they can do, but I wasn't a fan of this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 05:28:53 | More by Halcyondays

elizabethfowler

California

4.13/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Translucent, Warm, Soft/Yellow Gold, Creamy foam, fine bubbles, frothy lacing

Aroma: Clean, grass-like freshness, a definitive Citrus kick.

Flavor: The taste is very bright and refreshing. The hops are earthy, grassy. The malt adds an almost sour-dough like backdrop - adding a kick to the earthy, noble hops. The lager-like yeast strain makes for a crisp bite.The creamy finish seals and soothes the flavor, making it a perfect hot afternoon refreshment...rivaling any fancy, summer cocktail.

Mouth feel: Medium bodied, clean after taste, effervescent. Pretty quenchable.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 00:33:20 | More by elizabethfowler

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled from a bottle with no freshness date. Bright straw yellow with a deep haze. Poured with a fizzy white head that quickly disappeared. Prominent bready aroma with spice, lemon and yeast. Buttery smooth with subdued but tangy carbonation. Bready/biscuity malt flavors in the beginning lemon and yeast through the middle with a faint hint of banana. The tangy carbonation then ushers in a quick hint of spice before transitioning to a biscuit and bitter lemony ending. Finishes semi-dry with a lingering yeast flavor. A nice hot weather beer. Very easy to drink with moderate flavor complexity.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 21:50:39 | More by IronLover

HalfFull

California

3.73/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pils glass from a 22 oz. bomber. Pours a clear golden straw with a thin cap of white foam. Light retention ensues though the a firm release of gas keeps a light surface cap.

Pleasant malt nose with perhaps a bit of wheat and a grainy lemon aroma.

Bit of lightly sweet grain in flavor, medium bodied and with a decently lingering finish. Light pils flavor carries throughout. Soft and light yet without much of a spice footprint.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 05:57:00 | More by HalfFull

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

2.95/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. I am a middle-pouring drinker, and this glass completely filled with all foamy white head in an instant. After letting it settle and continuing to pour, the beer took almost 5 minutes to pour completely. I would say that denotes a solid sign of overcarbonation. The beer is an extremely light and pale straw-yellow coloring, again with the big bubbled, white, chunky head that finally settles into a manageable one inch level. Aromas of bright, sweet lemon zest and slightly sour tones. Also some scents of toasted oats. Flavors a bit muted, but a backbone of crisp, wet hops slips in and hits the back of the mouth. Bits of smoke and toasted malts riding the hoppy foundation. The beer is very wet in mouth, both light and slick. Minimal sour and toasted aftertaste, with a short lived finish. Not an overwhelmingly pleasant beer, and when added to the time involved just to pour the damn thing, it really was disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 00:58:31 | More by GarthDanielson

gthornton

California

3.73/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Light gold, haystack yellow. Clean appearance, but not see-through. 3/4 inch head dissipated within a minute, leaving little/no lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Light malty backbone with hints of caramel and wheat. A hint of sourdough/"bready." The yeast comes through a bit, but very subtly. A bit of fruitiness from the yeast.

Taste: A straightforward beer. A good candidate for converting from "non-American" (if you want me to sound right-wing) pseudo-domestic beers. The fruitiness from the yeast comes through... a subtle grapefruit/mellow citrus. The malt rounds out the back end of the taste, and lingers as you drink more. I think this helps the beer become even more enjoyable as you continue to drink.

Mouthfeel: Very refreshing. Little residual sweetness, or stickiness. Medium bodied, but definitely on the lighter side of the tongue.

Drinkability: I would rate this fairly high on the drinkability scale. It is not my preferred style, but I think it is a beer that could please a lot of people if I were one to limit myself to a single option at a gathering. This beer at a BBQ on a hot summer day would be amazing. Its actually dangerously drinkable, which is a quality I like in a beer, because I think its important to get those you love sauced up at social gatherings. :)

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 21:55:37 | More by gthornton

Gavage

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear orange in color with a short 1/2" head.

Smell: light citrus, fruit, and light floral aroma is soft but pleasant.

Taste: bready malt base with pears, green apples, hint of lemon, a bit of grass, and a light bitterness are the main flavors.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Crisp throughout with a short almost clean aftertaste.

Drinkability: this beer was nicely quaffable and pleasantly refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 12:15:11 | More by Gavage

speter

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a murky straw color with a huge rocky head that faded to absolutely nothing and left no lace.

S: Biscuity malt with noble hops and Kölsch yeast. Some citrus and grassy elements.

T: Not too shabby. The front is biscuity malt with good hop balance, of the lightly-aromatic German variety. There is a nice amount of style-appropriate metallic twang.

M: Light to medium body. Hurt by the carbonation nose dive.

D: A solid, non-offensive Kölsch, probably better local.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 23:22:09 | More by speter

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle.

Pours clear yellow with a slight chill haze and a quarter inch of a white bead on the surface. A few whispy traces remained for the duration with some soapy lacing.

Aromatics lead off with light notes of biscuit malt, honey, and perhaps some pear skins. Pretty clean and uneventfull.

Light bodied with a crisp, slightly grainy mouthfeel.

Toasted malt with traces of cut grass, honey-drizzeled biscuit ends, and a mild bitterness are pretty much all that you get on the palate. Quite dry and quenching.

Finishes with a crisp, minerally dryness, honey, and lingering bitterness.

Tasty enough, but not as smooth as a great Kolsch should be. The grainyness in the mouthfeel detracts and the bitterness is a bit heavy for the style. Also not screamingly fresh, which I think is essential in a lightweight beer of this nature.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 00:08:16 | More by brewandbbq

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

First to christen by new Duvel Tulip glass.

A: A light pale orange has a high rate of visibility revealing a dense showering of micro bubbles rising moderately. The head is chalk white, frothy, with a small initial statue that held steady for a couple of minutes. Small splashes compose the lacing of minimal coverage and interest.

S: A light sense of funky fruitiness comes about and is detected at first, of sliced pears, pineapple and melons first coming to mind.

T: The flavor moves about to a fruitiness of melons, apricots, and pears. Sweet pilsner grains add a sugary touch while caramel syrup sweetens and seals the deal midway through. The finish is crisp, with a slight dryness of character and pilsner malts rounding things out. I didn't pick up on any of the hops but the Kolsch yeast really did impart a nice fruity start and dry finish that was appreciable.

M: Sharp mouthful from the carbonation with a medium feel. Slightly syrupy texture with some bubbly detection.

D: Drinkability was average and fair, being a bit sweet upfront with not much hoppiness to counter balance which may limit consumption for those who get sugary shock rather easily. Some acidity is detected upon the swallow. Overall a fair rate of consumption though unlikely repurchase by style.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2010 22:43:11 | More by beerthulhu

domtronzero

California

2.78/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Bright, clear golden yellow, average lasting whitish head. A little bit of lacing.

S - Caramel sweet malts, fruity esters, very light grassy hops.

F/M - Caramel malts, but otherwise bland and a little too bready/corny. Light earthy hops with a medium low bitterness and medium carbonation.

D - Okay, but a little too corny/grainy. Almost like a macro adjunct beer, but with a little more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 05:00:37 | More by domtronzero