Bombshell Blonde - Southern Star Brewing Company

krisandajt

Pennsylvania

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

Going for a hat-trick of tasty brews courtesy of Adouble. Cheers!

Appearance: Poured from an artfully designed can into my SA Perfect Pint Glass, the beer is a cloudy, light gold color. Unlike my previous two beers from Southern Star, this one is lacking in the head department. There's only a thin ring of bubbles encircling the beer. The lacing, however, is good with some nice sticky rings stuck on the sides of the glass where the beer comes to settle.

Smell: Though I wasn't really expecting much of a nose due to the nature of the style, I'm not really picking up much of anything here. It's slightly sweet, but that's about it.

Taste: The beer has a malty, bready, biscuity kind of sweetness that reminds me a bit of a toned down Marzen. For the style, however, it's pretty spot on.

Mouthfeel: Here is where the beer really shines, IMO. It's got a great, smooth, easy drinking texture, and a nice light to medium body. It's just a refreshing brew.

Drinkability: If you are looking for an in-your-face, over the top beer...this isn't it. If you are looking for a simple, very drinkable brew to enjoy and relax with, here it is. This is the kind of beer you can just sit down and drink without having to think about or analyze. Enjoy it for what it is...I sure am.

Serving type: can

05-09-2010 01:52:32 | More by krisandajt

SWMeyer4141

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Appearance-Hazy light brown, some yellow as well. 1 Finger white head with dissipates pretty quickly.

Smell-Sweet honey, light caramel. I get some banana. Very subtle.

Taste-Wasted expecting it to taste this good. Black peppered honey. Nice malt balance. Caramalized bananas. Good clean flavors. Very sweet upfront but doesn't overpower the beer.

Mouthfeel-Extrememely Smooth and Refreshing. So easy to drink, really coats the mouth. Perfect carbonation with some nice body. Not watery at all compared to other Blonde's.

Overall-This is kind of a hybrid between a Hefeweizen and a Blonde Ale. Love the fact that it's canned, and a 7.99 six pack is great for a summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 20:30:36 | More by SWMeyer4141

diamondc

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally arrived in this part of South Texas. $7.99 for a 6 pack.

A: Humongous, fluffy head billowing out of my pilsener glass. Hazy, unfiltered, tiny flecks of sediment swimming in the beer. There's some light scattered lacing, too.

S: Lot of honey on the nose, some nuttiness, buttered toast aromas, caramel. After a few deep sniffs there's some earthiness there, like today's grass clippings mixed with mud.

T: The malt is definitely the highlight here. Lots of honey, biscuit like flavors. Reminds me a lot of Fat Tire. Some citrus lingers in the background with some moderate grassy hops keeping the sweetness in check. Complex for a blonde ale!

M/D: This beer is a huge surprise. I was expecting something like Fireman's #4 which is a simple & drinkable ale, but this beer is way more complex tasting. The mouthfeel is the very definition of 'creamy' and begs for more sips.

Serving type: can

09-02-2009 01:01:52 | More by diamondc

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

whoneeds8

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass pale straw yellow with a nice thick white head. Lacing all the way down the glass. Smell is very fruity, suprisingly strong. Taste is very malty, with hints of various fruit flavors. The hop bite at the end leaves a slight dry feel, which is the only downer. This is going to be a great Texas Summer beer.

Serving type: can

04-24-2009 00:47:28 | More by whoneeds8

chickencoop

California

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

The first point and really only valid point i'll make here is cans are much easier to jam in your suitcase and survive the trip, no broken bottles that leak all over your chones, nuff said.
I liked this beer, refreshing, not much of an aftertaste, citrusy and clean. Can is retro and all so way to go with that if you like that stuff, pick some up.

Serving type: can

12-18-2009 02:58:15 | More by chickencoop

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

zrab11

Indiana

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a Nice Golden Color with a 2 finger head

S-Has a pleasant smell of cirtus and yeast.

T- Has a nice yeast flavor with notes of citrus and spices

M-Light Bodied with nice carbonation

D- I really enjoyed this beer alot. VEry drinkable and very cheap. Will be picking this up to throw in my disc golf bag to drink on the course. Give this one a try if you havent

Serving type: can

03-20-2011 19:11:18 | More by zrab11

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

rpstevens

New Hampshire

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

Thanks to maximum12 for yet another secret santa beer. Poured from a can into a smuttynose pint glass. The pour yields a hazy golden orange body with a thick frothy bone white head. When held up to the light the beer is foggy and hazy, adding an inviting depth to the appearance.

The smell is crisp graham cracker malt, sharp wheat, lemon zest and a hint of floral and citrus hops.

The taste follows the smell very closely. This one is very malt forward, but it's a crisp, sharp, light malt. Lots of light and sweet graham cracker introduces the flavors, followed by a crisp light lemon hop character, further evened out by some fresh cut grass hoppiness.

The beer is well carbonated, has a light sharp mouthfeel and crisp finish. It takes all the desirable traits of an american macro (light, easy to drink, crisp mouthfeel) and adds a bit of body, depth and a very nice balanced flavor. This is something I would definitely like to see in New England, especially during the summer months.

Serving type: can

01-14-2010 17:31:40 | More by rpstevens

dcloeren

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy golden yellow-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. This beer is definitely unfiltered and opaque. "Clarity is overrated" is printed on the can and it couldn't be more right.

Smells of sweat carmel malt, yeast, biscuits, graham cracker and a little bit of citrus.

The taste is following the nose almost to the T with a little something extra that I think tastes like Nilla Wafers or a freshbaked cupcake with no icing. Its blowing up my taste buds and makes me happy that I have 5 more in the fridge. Has great depth and is VERY refreshing.

Mouthfeel is creamy and light to medium bodied. Crisp and clean with the perfect amount of carbonation to go with the body. Gives a very subtle drying after taste.

This blonde does it all without doing too much or trying to hard. Very refreshing and has a lot of depth to it. I cant wait to put a six pack in my cooler and go play a round of golf or go to the lake. Its a home run of a blonde for sure

Serving type: can

04-26-2011 22:54:29 | More by dcloeren

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

SirSketch

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

The blond on the can convinced me to drink this after having sat in my fridge for a week or two. There is a wonderful dense head on this beer as it clings to the glass on the way down. As the can states, "Clarity is overrated." A hazy, dull yellow colored beer. The nose is primarily yeast character with just a bit of malty aroma. Orange slice smell as well. More bitter than I expected for a blond, but balanced in its sweetness. The floral hops blend well, too. Creamy mouth that ends semi-dry. Altogether, it makes for a very drinkable, delicious blond ale!

Serving type: can

03-03-2010 02:23:29 | More by SirSketch

northaustin

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a pretty hazy blonde with a fat finger of even white head which lasts a long time but leaves no lacing.

smells like some dang old two row

tastes like it smells.

this is one of the better blondes ive had. its full flavored but it doesnt end up syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 21:43:33 | More by northaustin

omnigrits

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Definitely one of the oddest beers I've drunk recently. And this new craft-beer-in-a-can trend is one that, as a bartender with limited space for stock, is one that I encourage other breweries to try.

Pours a hazy light copper colour with a minimal head that doesn't subside too much. The first thing I though when I stuck my nose into the glass was 'Dang it, I forgot to make bread today!'. There's an overwhelming smell of bread dough with some floral undertones and a malty sweetness. The taste is... not challenging. By that, I mean it's good but fairly middle of the road. Not too sweet, not too hoppy, not too bitter, and with a medium body. This style of beer (when brewed by a craft brewer) is almost craft beer with training wheels, and is hopefully a stepping stone for the macro beer drinker to develop a more discerning palate. For someone who drinks something like Arrogant Bastard or Sierra Nevada Torpedo, this beer will be as easy to drink as a glass of water, but for someone who wants to try something other than Budmilloors, it's a great first step into beer advocacy.

Serving type: can

04-02-2009 22:01:56 | More by omnigrits

AustinBeerLvr

Texas

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

12 ounce can into a shaker pint glass. No freshness date, but not to worry, as it's brewed just right down the road in Conroe.

A: Much darker than what you would expect for a blonde ale, as the body is a amber/copper color with lots of bits and pieces of stuff floating around, hence their logo "clarity is overrated." Not much head retention, but a little left, and some pretty good lacing on the glass.

S: Toasty malts dominate the nose, with the paler malts more evident upon a few more smells. Nice citrus character from the hops along with a bit of esters shine through as well.

T&M: Starts off with a earthy toasted sweetness, and a cleaner more refined texture than what you would generally expect from an ale. Their website states it is fermented colder than most ales, which explains the more lager like characteristics. That said, some fruity ester flavors do make themselves present as the beer warms a bit. This is the most complex "blonde ale" I have ever had, as the taste transitions from the toasted malt flavors to a nice citrus bite from the hops in the end that is nicely accommodated by a trail of residual sweetness. Hint of alcohol in there as well. Mouthfeel is very rich for a blonde ale, arguably just a bit much for the style.

D&Notes: This is actually a good brew, but odd as it may sound, may just be a bit too rich and flavorful for what somebody expects for the style. It really doesn't taste much like a blonde ale, as in a blind taste test, I would say one could easily take it for a light vienna lager or amber ale. That being said, with a semi-complex flavor, moderate ABV, and the fact that it's canned, this is a great anytime, anywhere session beer for a beer geek.

Serving type: can

03-20-2010 17:56:22 | More by AustinBeerLvr

FreshmanPour77

Minnesota

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

Reviewed on 3-18-11
Reviewed cold from a can to a glass

A - Poured a nice two fingers of foam, cloudy light orange color, lots of carbonation present. Nice head retention

S - Slight malt wheat combination. Bready aroma with some citrus notes

T/M - Lighter bodied brew with a bready after taste. Slight hop bitterness as well with a lighter malt body

D - Pretty good brew. Very easy to drink a few of these during a sitting, nice spring summer time brew. I would have this brew again and would recommend it

Serving type: can

03-28-2011 03:08:16 | More by FreshmanPour77

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

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The blonde pours a hazy golden yellow with lots of tight visible carbonation. Creamy white head sticks to the rim of the pint glass.

The first smells I notice are of grassy and slightly spicy hops. Light grainy notes are here, but fairly subtle. Very clean aroma with just a hint of fruityness; the emphasis is on the interplay between the sweet cereal grains and the spicy hops.

The sweet and grainy malt is foremost in the flavor here. A slight hop bitterness, but mostly a gentle noble-hop like spiciness. Quite pleasant overall--the flavors are subdued and understated, but they work together quite well. Medium-light bodied, with a prickly and grainy mouthfeel. Drinkability is excellent, and I think quite well suited for a hot summer day.

Serving type: can

07-13-2010 06:18:01 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

mhatters

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Can received from Wolffman17 as an extra in a trade - my thanks go out

Pours a golden color with a bit of haze to it. A 1 inch foamy white head.

A bit of toasty malt, some sweetness, and a light floarl note in the nose.

Sweetness dominates the flavor, nicely, and there are a bit of citrus hop notes and biscuit feel.

Nicely carbonated and creamy, very smooth and easy to drink. A nice beer for a hot day, and you can easily put down many of these.

Serving type: can

06-27-2009 21:00:59 | More by mhatters

NewGeneric

California

2.78/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy golden orange color with medium-thick cream-colored foam that fades at a medium pace, leaving chunks of lacing around the glass.

S: Smells like grass and spent grains. Definitely leaves something to be desired.

T: Big malted barley flavors come through despite the muted nose. Caramel, toffee, nuts, toast, etc. are in season. Better than average, but not really good.

M: Drinks a little bit like soda. Not a ton of body, and my still feels fizzy after I finish swallowing.

D: While it does have some nice flavor going on, the mouthfeel is pretty much enough to say goodnight for me. I'd drink this before a Budweiser, but not much else.

Serving type: can

03-10-2010 22:59:14 | More by NewGeneric

gory4d

New York

4.22/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pleasant apricot color with a thick white head that leaves some lacing. There are lots of little floaters suspended in it, and there are striations of color toward the top, with a distinct pale, cloudy band just below the head. It's not a pristine appearance, but a very interesting one. The smell is mild but pleasant, with notes of stone fruit, biscuit, tangy yeast, and minerals. The taste is again nothing too assertive, but is quite delicious: apricot, wheat bread, chewy yeast, some faint piny notes in the finish. It's a little like some Belgian pale ales -- reminds me a little of Taras Boulba. It's highly carbonated, which is perfect for its rather thick body. It's too complex and meaty for a lawnmower beer, but I could see putting away a good few of these in a sitting. Glad I found this on my visit to Victoria, TX -- too bad it's not in every store in town.

Serving type: can

12-14-2009 05:02:13 | More by gory4d

nickthegun12

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

wow, this beer really surprised me>>>im not really big on blonde ales>>except belgian blondes>>>the smell straight out of the can reminded me of a nati light>>>>i wasn't really expecting much>>>but that first taste was awesome>>>i really like it>>>>you can def. taste the sweet malts>>>the hop presence is not there as expected>>>def. drinkable>>def. worth checking out>>>>a texan beer that is actually pretty decent

Serving type: can

10-21-2010 22:34:32 | More by nickthegun12

tatoodkelt

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to gramatton for the trade!

Consumed 11/8/2009- from notes.

12oz can poured into a shaker glass.

A- Super cloudy golden yellow topped off by a frothy two finger white head. Great retention and decent lacing. Looks alot more like a hefe than a blonde.

S- Grassy, biscuity and a little sweet.

T- Grassy and biscuity up front then a little citrus hint at the end.

M- Medium bodied, very smooth and creamy.

D- Pretty easy to drink. Could see this being a great summer time session brew. I'm not normally a fan of the style but this is alot more like a hefe than any blonde I've had.

Serving type: can

11-10-2009 19:36:47 | More by tatoodkelt

Riccymon

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the can a hazy orange color, making the "Clarity is overrated" claim from the can spot-on. More lasting head than I've ever seen from a blond ale, and it even leaves some lacing. Smell is particularly malty and bold for the style, almost like a brown ale; sweet, caramely, and delicious. Taste is loaded with malty, bready goodness, and I taste a bit of apricot and orange fruit in the finish. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, also unique in a blond, and leaves my mouth a bit sticky. In comparison to other blonds I've had, Bombshell is imperial-like in appearance, smell, taste, and mouthfeel, but at 5% ABV, drinkability is excellent. Such a great beer at a very low price... and in cans!

Serving type: can

05-31-2009 17:23:35 | More by Riccymon