Bombshell Blonde - Southern Star Brewing Company

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a perfect pint.

3.0 A: Moderately hazed golden brownish color. One finger of frothy white head. Retention is a touch below average and no lacing is left.

3.0 S: Grassy/hay and lemon. Light biscuity maltiness and yeasty breadiness. The nose is pretty faint overall though.

3.5 T: Grassy hops with hay, lemongrass, and lemon zest. Pleasant biscuity sweetness with a light yeastiness. As good as the nose, but more powerful.

3.5 M: Light to lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Crisp despite the yeastiness and smooth. Could use some more creaminess though.

3.5 D: Fairly tame, but tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: can

03-02-2012 01:36:00 | More by DavoleBomb

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.73/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The Bombshell Blonde Ale from Southern Start is ok. The beer pours a nice clear golden color with bubbly white head that is leaving a spotty lace. The smell is underwhelming, some faint lemon/lemon grass zest. The taste is very sharp, starts with a lemon flare then turns to a grainy/bread finish. The mouthfeel is light to medium with good carbonation. Overall it is a decent beer.

Serving type: can

02-19-2012 02:19:33 | More by WoodBrew

kemoarps

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the can: "Clarity is overrated."
This beer pours a hazy straw colour with a beautiful off white head that dissipates quickly but leaves a nice fine... layer? Is that really the best word I could come up with for it? Anyway, it leaves a nice ___ on the top, which contributes to the lacing. I love watching the bubbles come up through this opaque brew.

The nose is almost fresh cut hay, Like straw harvested maybe a few days early. A bit of bready malt as well. Think a picnic in a barn on a warm summer afternoon/evening.

The straw characteristics carry through to the palate, alone with the mellow bready malts. Maybe a hint of hops on the finish, but not readily identifiable, almost like an afterthought.

kind of thick and chewy, but drinkable. I would continue with the farmhouse comparisons (man, I'm getting all nostalgic over here for childhood summers playing with hay bails). I'm not generally a big fan of blondes (at least not when it comes to beer...), but I really like this brew. I'd love it on a lazy summer afternoon. The fact that it is in cans also makes it that much more accessible to bring camping/hiking or to the beach or to a hayfield somewhere for a midsummer picnic. Grab a sixer if you see one and like the summer months. Well crafted and immensely enjoyable.

Serving type: can

02-07-2012 21:48:03 | More by kemoarps

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thank you to LadyOfMuchBeer for this fine looking can.

Hazy golden orange/blonde colour, one finger of white head with some lacing on the glass. Smell is mostly bready malt, crisp hops, earthy with some cut grass notes, grainy and crackery as well. Taste follows the nose with grainy bready malt, mild bitterness throughout, grassy, light lemony flavours, earthy finish with a long malt driven aftertaste. Medium carbonation, dry and medium bodied with a nice overall feel. Nice easy drinker here, good balance and tasty as well, could drink a few of these in the backyard on a summer day.

Serving type: can

01-30-2012 20:22:07 | More by peensteen

zander4dawin

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy dark golden beer with a fluffy white head. Smells and tastes bready and rich. Very creamy body, smooth, buttery. Totally not filtered. Best "all-purpose" beer made in Texas. Very little hops added, but comes off as distinctively balanced.

Serving type: can

11-28-2011 18:01:25 | More by zander4dawin

Siriusfisherman

Montana

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A cloudy gold with a nice bready head, bubbles rising through the glass, slight reddish tint.

Smell: A great blend of hops and bready notes, very well balanced and very fresh smelling.

Taste: Both the hop flavoring and the bread notes hit you right away in a gentle wave, developing into a full-fledged flavor that bitters as you swallow it. A great after-taste that gives off hints of spices.

Mouthfeel: Gives you the impression of a lack of carbonation, but I feel it works to effect. The beer sits in your mouth and nothing really hits you in the face. The carbonation is very soft, the hops are very pleasant, and the breadiness and spices bring a full sense of flavor to the palate.

Overall: This is one hell of a refreshing beer, and Southern Star have achieved it without sacrificing flavor. This is a great beer to drink, and it is very complex. There is no other Blonde ale that I drink the way I drink this one, it is in another league.

Serving type: can

11-26-2011 21:12:54 | More by Siriusfisherman

BeersCriteria

Texas

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a hazy yellow with a white head.

S- Malty and bready along with a wheaty aroma.

T- The taste was malty and bready, like drinking brioche bread, it sort of reminded me of drinking a Boddingtons, the breadiness quality of it. It was a good blonde ale overall.

Food Pairing- I had this with pizza and it was a great combination.

Serving type: can

11-20-2011 18:05:17 | More by BeersCriteria

eclipse54

Idaho

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 ounce can I received as part of turfy's "Taste of Texas LIF!" Drank on 09/03/2011, and reviewed from notes taken then.

A large, 4-finger white, bubbly head develops with good retention. A hazy yellow and straw colored body is accentuated by an endless stream of bubbles emanating from the bottom of the glass. The aroma is of wheat, straw, hops, lemon, orange, a slight funk, a bit of spice, and a bread/biscuit finish. It tastes of bread, straw, lemon, orange, some hops, and a bit of funky yeast. Mouthfeel is very smooth, and crisp on the finish. Overall, a delicious, refreshing brew.

Serving type: can

11-07-2011 01:31:52 | More by eclipse54

elNopalero

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In the mood for something hoppy, crisp, and portable. So I cracked open a can of Southern Star’s Bombshell Blonde Pale Ale. Poured half of it into a small Mason jar to review, finished the rest from the can. To mimic real-world conditions. Here’s what I thought about it.

It pours a clear golden, true to its name, with a good amount of foam. Light nose, a little sweet malt. The sweetness carries over to the first taste and the clean finish. Smooth.

It’s a well-crafted golden ale, a light beer for the craft set.

Serving type: can

09-17-2011 22:49:26 | More by elNopalero

TenHornsProud

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy orange with a big white head that is surprisingly viscous.

Smells of some sweetness, some bready malt, slightly floral/soapy character.

Floral hop notes up front that meld into a slightly sweet/honey like character with a clean, almost no bitterness finish...some yeast character

Light bodied with a higher amount of carbonation make this one quite easy to drink.

I like this beer even though there isn't much going on...some floral hop and biscuit notes. It's one of the better blondes I've had.

Serving type: can

09-14-2011 22:00:20 | More by TenHornsProud

nhindian

Pennsylvania

2.53/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

12oz can poured into a Dogfish Head Signature glass. Generously provided as an extra by Exiled, thanks Jason!

A - Pours a hazy, unfiltered goldenrod color with 3 huge fingers of soft white head. Insane retention as well, due in part to the creaminess and thickness of the head. It's lavish and almost like a pillow in the way it is rocky and mountainous. Lacing as well brings a very nice welcome with a thick, generous coating of foam all around the glass.

S - The nose opens with a pleasant breadiness as well as some yeast esters. Somewhat fruity throughout with a slight bitter hop presence in the finish. Overall fairly clean.

T - The flavors begin with a biscuit-like malt flavor, paving the way for the backbone to come. However, some band-aid phenols make themselves known almost immediately this, which kind of spoils it for me. In fact, the flavor, or lack thereof, is nearly completely barren after the start. It has a faint citrus flavor in the finish, but overall, everything is quite faint and disappointing after the great appearance and nice aroma.

M - Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with surprisingly light carbonation. Another detriment to this beer is the sub-par carbonation, which really needs to be beefed up. Still, it finishes clean and semi-dry.

D/O - Drinkability is low. Great look, promising smell, but the taste and mouthfeel stick the nails in the coffin. A pleasure to admire from far, but not the best beer to actually imbibe.

Serving type: can

09-06-2011 00:27:27 | More by nhindian

HopsKeepDroppin

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a golden straw color with some yeast floating in the beer. Thin white head that hangs around for a while.

S- Very bready and grassy.

T- The taste is dominated by the malts. A lot of biscuit flavor and not a lot of hops unless you look for them.

M- This beer is very easy to drink and the carbonation level is just right. Really like that they can their beers.

O- This is a great session beer and a perfect beer to take to the beach or fishing. Keep up the good work Southern Star.

Serving type: can

08-11-2011 18:04:14 | More by HopsKeepDroppin

jmarsh123

Indiana

2.68/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a cloudy light gold with a thin white head. Some yeast particles float in the beer.

Smells of really sweet bready malts. No hop presence at all. Hopefully the taste is better cause this thing smells awful. I kind of thought it may be skunked until it tasted fine.

Bready malts coming through on the taste, but not nearly as overwhelming as the nose. Just a little hop bitterness which is about right for the style. A little pungent bitter aftertaste is detectable.

Fairly light mouthfeel although good and creamy for the style. Good carbonation, but not overdone as on a lot of lighter ales.

Overall this is a solid offering, especially since it comes in a sometimes more friendly can format, as long as I don't have to smell it much. It still doesn't close to unseating Sun King for my go to lighter ale.

Serving type: can

08-04-2011 18:53:20 | More by jmarsh123

DoktorZee

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a can into a pint glass. No canning or best before date on it.

A - not quite what I was expecting as it's midway between gold and amber in color and a bit hazy. Was expecting it to be a bit lighter in color and body. Very little head and almost no lacing. Just a bit of obvious carbonation.

S - the nose has a solid sweet bready malt element to it; no real hops to speak of

T - similar to the nose: just a hint of bitterness resolving into some big bready malt; not overly sweet, so it's still satisfying. Reminds me a bit of a maibock. Another thing to note is the abruptness of the finish - it's over very quickly.

M - medium body but with very little carbonation; no booziness.

D - nicely drinkable - a good all weather beer.

Solid beer, but not quite what I was expecting for a Blonde; is a bit more malty than I was expecting.

Serving type: can

07-31-2011 21:23:22 | More by DoktorZee

bens0n

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Southern Star Brewery, review from notes:

This beer pours a murky golden color, more on the yellowy side with a pretty low amount of foamy white head. Not too much lacing going on.

On the nose I can pick up on bready malts and some kind of sweet smell that I can't really pinpoint. Hops are not very detectable, which surprises me. Not an extremely aromatic brew, but smells nice nonetheless.

Flavor wise its alot more of the same, almost no hop bitterness at all, which I really like. It has a subtle sweetness to it that caught me off guard.

This beer is extremely easy to down, leaves a very nice aftertaste and is nice and smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2011 19:30:09 | More by bens0n

obrike

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Now this is a fun beer!

Highly sessionable at 5.25...super easy drining brew that pours a honey gold. Light head that fades pretty quickly...a light ring remaining for entirety.

Faint scent...some toasted sweet malt...no real hops to speak of.

Yum...this is good! I'm a bit suprised after the fairly light scent. Almost a buttery, toasted malt taste...a bit o honey on the after taste. Velvety smooth, so easy to drink. A nice example of an easy drinking summer beer with a bit of a different and tasty flavor than the norm.

Good job Southern Star.

Serving type: can

07-09-2011 23:56:29 | More by obrike

fatmcb1

Texas

3.65/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - This pours a typical golden color with less than a finger of light head. The head leaves very minimal lacing, and quickly dissipates to a very thin ring. The beer is very cloudy, particularly when held to light.

S - Only feint smells, first of caramel and malt, followed by light hops in the background.

T - Taste is a bit stronger than the smell. This is very malty, with hints of honey tropical fruit. It is void of hops up until the finish, which provides a slightly bitter aftertaste.

M - Creamier than the typical APA, and heavily carbonated.

This is a solid summer beer. I would have liked it to have more hops to balance the flavor.

Serving type: can

07-06-2011 20:12:03 | More by fatmcb1

jeremy2027

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from can to Sam Adams Perfect Pint

Light brown, good head at first then dissipates.

Toasted caramel, slightly nutty flavor. A very interesting Blonde Ale not like any I have tried in the past.

Tastes of roasted malt and caramel.

light mouthfeel, medium carbonation.

A different take on a Blonde ale that works very well. This is my second offering from Southern Star and so far I am diggin their brews. One of the great Texas craft brews that I should have discovered a while ago.

Serving type: can

07-01-2011 22:55:45 | More by jeremy2027

jwinship83

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can drank out of my samuel adams perfect pint glass.

A- the pour yields a hazy glowing golden colored body with a finger of bright white head on top. the head stays around for a little before falling, and leaves behind small spots of lacing.

S- the first thing i pick out of the nose oddly enough, are floral and grassy hops. i wasnt sure what to expect, but nothing like this. after that i get some sweet pale and bready malts. not much else going on in here. simple and to the point.

T- the taste starts out with more of the bready and pale malts that i could smell, which impart a mild yet pleasant sweetness. after that i get more of the floral and grassy hops. not as strong as i thought it would be from the nose. nicely balanced.

M- the body is on the fuller side of light. the carbonation is just above average, but it works well here.

O- i really enjoy beers in cans, and im glad the craft beer movement is heading that way. the more camping/beach options i have, the better. i can see my cooler containing this next time i head for an outdoor adventure.

Serving type: can

06-27-2011 01:13:38 | More by jwinship83

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks again to the legendary woodychandler for yet another canned beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. This beer exploded out of the can and finally setteled down to have a cloudy golden color with about 2 inches of head. Smell is malty, biscuts, slightly sweet. Taste is also malty and biscuts, some honey, a bit of sweetness to it. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.

Serving type: can

06-18-2011 15:43:45 | More by tone77

txbrew81

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from can into pint glass

A: Deep hazy golden color. Nice fluffy two finger head that settles fairly quickly.

S: Sweet, carmel and honey.

T: Tasty brew. Follows the nose with a little unexpected banana. Mainly sweet malty goodness but has a touch of hop spice. Almost buttery.

M: Thick compared to most other blond ales I have had. medium carbonation.

O: Great beer from southern star. Since it comes in a can I can see myself quaffing alot of these by the pool.

Serving type: can

06-13-2011 22:19:47 | More by txbrew81

dchew85

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Yet another quality beer from Southern Star. Pours golden with a 1/2 inch pillow of white head that fades rather quickly to a thin layer. Smell is of sweet maltiness and a hint of hops but just a hint. The taste is just like the smell, sweet and citrusy and balanced extremely well. The carbonation is perfect giving this beer a creamy texture. Truly a great session beer.

Serving type: can

06-09-2011 00:45:14 | More by dchew85

Roeters

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cracked this can on the first upper 80 degree day in west Michigan.

A: nice golden yellow color with a thin cream colored head kinda cloudy as you we expect from an unfiltered beer.

S: very clean little sweet grain, with

T: slightly bready minimal hop flavor

M: very light bodied, light carbonation

O: great beer wish I had a yard to mow and a full case of these to drink. Just what was needed after finishing work.

Serving type: can

05-30-2011 19:37:29 | More by Roeters

Brabander

Netherlands

4.3/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

We had a beertasting at Beerpirates place on sunday the 15th of may 2011. Jeffo, Claark13, Bierschenker, beerpirates and i drank a whole bunch of beers. Thanks for your hospitality Wim!

Poured in my Westvleteren tasting glass this beer looks normal, nothing fancy. This beer is a real sessionbeer to be used between some stouts.

I love blond beer and that makes that i am giving this good brew a high rating. A very soft and tasty beer.

Serving type: can

05-20-2011 13:36:49 | More by Brabander

beerpirates

Belgium

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thx to bierschenker ( Tim ) for bringing this nice can to the tasting , thx buddy !

12 oz can poured into my tastingglass @a tasting with some awesome BA's -:)

A: This beer pours a very hazy orange with a thin white head. It is quite a bit darker than I would expect for a blonde ale. It looks more like a hefeweizen.

S: The aroma is very sweet--a touch of sweet malt and some citrusy hops. A good balance here.

T: Bitterness and malt flavours are nicely balanced,Honey , but the flavor hops push though, defining the flavor.

M: The beer is smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of carbonation.

D: Definitely a session beer! This one is perfect for hot summer days. Not too heavy for a day at the lake and flavorful enough to still be good at a party that night.

Serving type: can

05-16-2011 17:50:03 | More by beerpirates