Blonde Fatale - Peace Tree Brewing Co.

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

yellow, very cloudy with a big white frothy head, Great retention left the head around for most of the glass. Lots of sticky lace driped down the flass and left rings on the sides. Great visible carbonation could be seen bubbling throughout.

Smell was very intresting. Quite lively aroma with hints of sweet fruits, lemon and a touch of sugar. Bananas, figs, and pears could also be picked up as well as a touch of grapes as it warmed. First impression of the flavor was to be honest a bit of a shock. There was something in it I could not place right away, some other reviews have touched on a saltiness, and at first I thought it did have that too, but there was this other underlying flavor which I kept trying to pin down. Finally settled on something of a sweet lemon cake or tangerine and orange combination. Very pleasant and very sweet flavor, never had tasted it before in this style, quite intresting. very smooth delievery and great carbonation gave it a very lively feeling on the palate. Silky smooth. Lots of yeast and grains to be had, and pears and apples could be detected as it warmed. No real hint of alcohol, very well covered up by the sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 01:56:46 | More by mikesgroove

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Peace Tree Blonde Fatale
Bottle @ Twisted Cork, Omaha, NE

Appearance: Hazy deep gold with an orange cast and golden highlights when held to the light. Bright white head of thin foam. Average retention and spotty lacing.

Aroma: Limited aroma

Flavor: Belgian. Clove, sweet with sugar & light honey. Straw, grass & spice. Hops definitaly add a floral side... not sure how much straw, grass & spice. Sharp - fruity, spicy / grassy upfront. Warms to sweetness & spice across the middle. Dries to become Spicy in finish. Lingering coriander.

Mouthfeel: Medium w/ dextrinous edge. Crisp, very fine bubbled carbonation zests on the tongue.

Overall: Interesting strong blonde ale. Very well put together. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 02:45:08 | More by NeroFiddled

emerge077

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. stubby bottle, poured into a tulip glass.

Initial fingers width of foam, lots of larger bubbles on the surface, it was a struggle to generate much head, let alone anything Belgianesque. Glowing golden orange, opaque and murky like orange juice. Foam rapidly fades to a thin ring at the edges.

Spicy nose of coriander, estery and phenolic yeast, pepper and lemongrass.

Flavor is similarly yeast driven, phenolic medicinal spices, tongue-numbing pepper, light maltiness with a lingering dry earthiness that lasts for awhile after the finish. Full bodied, creamy with fairly low carbonation (odd for a Belgian-style ale). Seems a little under attenuated, could be a little more dry and spritzy, but the creaminess is nice. Overall ok, but it's elements are a little incohesive.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 23:13:51 | More by emerge077

argock

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from stubby 12oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Received as a gift from my sister Tami.

A: Clear yellow-orange elixir with short 1/2-finger of off-white head that fades quickly and leaves no lace.

S: Very fruity estery with peach, pear, apricot, and banana aromas meeting some soft pale maltiness. Not your typical BSPA profile but interesting.

T: The taste is very sweet but also complex and fruity. I would say this crosses the BSPA/BPA line with the pear, banana, apricot, peach, and yellow apple flavors. The pale maltiness is pretty substantial. There is some soft bitterness with mild floral and herbal hops notes. The yeast component is fairly subtle and contributes some light spiciness and tartness.

M: This is not as dry as it could be but pretty dry, and I'm not sure it would seem right given all the fruity flavors. An elixir-type feel is how I describe this beer -- a little thick on the palate but still fairly dry to leave a good balance of crispness and coating feels.

O: I liked this beer even though it doesn't hit the BSPA style all that well. I don't think it hits any style but Belgian pale ale very well. If you like your Belgian ales sweet and lush with only moderate dryness, this is your kind of beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 12:56:45 | More by argock

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.58/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear golden color. Head is quite minimal. Appears to be under carbonated relative to style. Aroma is musky with lemongrass, coriander, citrus and a hint of horse blanket. Phenolic peppers add a dryness of flavor, a hint of banana ester as well. Otherwise fairly medicinal with a touch of Styrian earthiness. Body is well under weight and the carbonation dialed far too low, but s far as an enjoyable drink, it is very refreshing with good taste, and packs a punch to boot. Easy to put some down, but don't go expecting Duvel.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 04:14:58 | More by BretSikkink

katan

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler into a pint

A - Pours a deep golden color. Very hazy, opaque and thick looking. Head formation is initially very strong, but breaks down to a film quickly.

S - A very light nose, almost imperceptible. Some light malt, perhaps some grainy pilsner. The yeast spice does start to come through. Some alcohol warmth.

T - Starts very smooth, grainy and sweet - seems like loads of pilsner malts are present. Gets more spicy mid-stream, yeasty notes come through strong. Alcohol warmth comes through very strong. Finishes with some estery notes, fruity and sweet.

M - Strong carbonation bite on the tongue. Alcohol warmth (again) is very strong. Beer body is strong, but finishes clean.

D - Very deceptive drinkability. ABV is well hidden. A bit filling as it sits on the palette. Flavors are well integrated.

I'm guessing there won't be many reviews of this one as the brewery indicated this may be the last growler fill - a shame since it is a very worthy beer.

Serving type: growler

08-08-2010 03:46:14 | More by katan

bsp77

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Tulip.

Appearance: Slightly hazy blonde-gold with rapidly diminishing head, leaving complete stillness behind. This is not how a Belgian ale should look.

Smell: Yeasty (with banana and clove), hoppy (clearly Styrian) and bready.

Taste: Sweeter than the yeasty, hoppy aroma - this is as expected when most US brewers attempt the style. Lots of bread, with some banana and clove before finishing up with the peppery Styrian hops.

Feel: Moderate carbonation with a medium body and a barely dry finish. Not effervescent, crisp and dry as would be proper.

Overall: Typical US attempt at a Strong Belgian Pale/Golden/Blonde Ale. While there are some nice flavors here, the faulty mouthfeel and sweet body are simply off.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 00:32:32 | More by bsp77

DCon

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ Star Bar in Des Moines, IA for $6. Tapped from the VooDoo Doll Tap Handle w/ an actual Doll Head on the top of the handle into a 12oz Shaker Glass! Went straight for this purely because of the branding.

Aroma- Strong floral hops, huge malt, and a slight banana character are all present. Very nice aroma and complexed for the style!

Appearance- Received with a .5 finger head that has weak retention. Has a light golden but clear body. Leaves a few suds behind.

Flavor- Sweet, Malty, and has medium esters. Spices come across mid drink but then filter into the finish. Has a very light bitterness level at the finish and semi-dry.

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, High Carbonation, Slick, and has a great banana character left on the palate. Light spices are also around at the finish.

Overall Impression- A very easy drinking Blonde with tons of complexity! Enjoyed greatly and would like to see this one cross my pass again during the summer time. Go for this if your a blonde fan but also enjoy Belgian style beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 22:32:26 | More by DCon

FreshHawk

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Hazed dark, white peach color with a slightly smaller than average sized, creamy, smooth, frothy, white head. Average retention leaving a decent lace.

S - A light on the light side with a fair amount of phenol, spicy aroma. Clove, coriander, and mediciny aroma are strongest. Some bready and pilsner malt base. Belgian yeast is providing a lot of the aroma. A touch of fruitiness (especially banana).

T - Like the nose, the flavor is dominated by spice, phenol, and bready/pilsner malt (some graininess as well). The malt flavor provides a lot of the flavor and base. Clove, coriander and phenol flavors pop up throughout with an interesting kick. In the back there is a faint fruity ester flavor but not very strong for the style. Slight alcohol warming at the finish, but well hidden and not harsh at all.

M - Medium body with a good level of carbonation. There is a bit of a kick from the alcohol and carbonation, but is very nice and smooth overall.

D - I'm torn on this one and a lot of the scores could be changed a little without much problem for me. It is a little strong on the phenol/spice and not enough fruitiness but it goes down easy. Alcohol makes a very brief showing, but is very well hidden for 8.5%.

Notes: Like I said, I'm torn. A some points I like it and other times I'm not really digging it. Overall I think it just misses a little on the fruitiness. Good and refreshing beer though, it's just not something that I really enjoy. It seems like a nice inoffensive BSPA that I think a lot of people will like, but not love.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 01:01:43 | More by FreshHawk

daledeee

Iowa

3.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At long last I have some of the elusive Blonde Fatale.

This one pours a dull dark gold with minimal head that did not stay.

I poured this and got a strong whiff of sour or vinegar. That went away quickly, but made me wonder if we had a sour ale here. The nose ended up being spicy, funky and a little sour.

Taste has orange, spice, Belgian hops. Not enough funk or fruit for me.

Mouth feel could use more bite as well if you want to follow the farmhouse or Belgian Pale Ale style. Alcohol made this beer pretty warm and it had a very thick mouth feel.

Overall, not a bad beer but I would like more of several things: carbonation, fruit and funk.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 22:58:00 | More by daledeee

dbossman

Nebraska

3.58/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark golden and slightly hazy with a thin but steady head; lacing is quite nice

S: Lots of banana and clove as well as a biscuity malt presence; some spicy quality here and maybe a touch of lemon, pear, and apple: yeasty, fruity, and a bit bready

T: Taste doesn't quite live up to the aromas--the yeasty fruitiness hits you up front but then everything fades; just not a lot holding it together; it's not bad by any stretch and I can't believe that this beer is over 8% as there is no numbing alcohol presence but it just doesn't follow through with what it begins to promise

F: Just as the flavors fade, so does the beer in the mouth--it ends a bit thin and watery

O: This is a decent beer but after looking and smelling it, I was expecting more; however, the alcohol is so well hidden--making this a dangerously easy drinking summer brew

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 14:59:13 | More by dbossman

sprucetip

Alaska

3.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy golden, a finger of white head, light activity, just a little bit of retention and minimal lacing.

Sweet with some musty hops and Belgian yeast. A little bit of boozy heat emanates. But it is primarily sweet and yeasty.

Tastes like the aroma. It's malty sweet with some lightly funky Belgian yeast and some dull, earthy hop flavor and barely discernible bitterness. It has some kind of aftertaste that just doesn't agree with me.

Decent carbonation, medium body, moderate warming, and a mildly drying finish.

There isn't much nuance and complexity in this. It's pretty clean, but too much so. The sweet, pale malt canvas isn't adequate enough to support the musty yeast and hop funk that define this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 06:28:24 | More by sprucetip

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

3.85/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into Globe glass.

A. 2 finger head. Very fine bubbles. Good retention. Decent lacing. Color is a cloudy yellow.

S. Yeast, citrus, a little banana and clove. Nice belgian yeast aroma. A little spiciness. Aroma of a solid BSPA.

T. Taste is a biscuity malt. Belgian yeast. Pretty dry. Has some banana and clove flavor from the yeast. I was expecting this to be sweeter, but the fact that it is not works. ABV is not really present at all.

M. Medium bodied. Medium carbonation. Finishes dry.

O. Overall a very easy drinking BSPA. I think Peace Tree's belgian yeast does some pretty nice things with their other beers, so I was not surprised that a Belgian Pale Ale would turn out well.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 22:42:21 | More by siradmiralnelson

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.53/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: The unfiltered golden - honey hue is always nice to look at, plenty of bubbly carbonation coming up through the glass. The head is a little small, just a slight pencil width cap. It looks like it could’ve been promising.

Smell: The hops smell great, and it has a signature higher alcohol, Belgian hop smell going on. I would believe it was Belgian if it came in an unmarked bottle. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but they haven’t made themselves out to be liars yet!

The citrus smells coming through are lemon, orange, maybe even peach? There is definitely a spiciness as well. Almost like what you’d get in a fall pumpkin spice offering. It’s different, and it’s pretty good. It’s fun just trying to figure it out.

Taste: Huh, I’m not really sure if this style is going to be my thing or not. I’m definitely on the fence about any wheat beer. The high hoppiness is there. It’s lingering on the palate, but there is almost no bitterness accompanying it, that definitely weirds me out. It’s like watching a movie with the sound on mute. It’s just not the whole experience.

The wheat taste is ever present from the start of the sip to the long finish. Again, if you are a beer drinker that loves that in your beer, you’ll probably like this. These hops really remind me of what you’ll find in some German offerings, like Weihenstephaner Heffe. The fruitiness isn’t really complex. Maybe just because it’s such an amalgamation it’d be really difficult to pull the different flavors apart from each other.

The fruitiness is definitely a light citrus touch: lemon, clementines, grapefruit. The alcohol didn’t surface until it warmed a little, and then it became noticeable in the aftertaste.

Mouth feel: It’s full for a light wheat beer. And it is certainly smooth like the bottle promises. It makes it a really easy beer to take down. Even if the flavor profiles aren’t what I really enjoy.

Overall: The beer will definitely please the beer geeks that prefer the light, wheat ales. However, I’m becoming more and more and certain that it just isn’t my thing. The brewers at Peace Tree are definitely on to something with this brew though.

It really hits the style on the head. I’m just hoping I try something from them soon that is more to my liking!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 05:33:13 | More by Pintofbrown

AmericanGothic

Iowa

4/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Peace Tree pint.

A: Pours a cloudy honey color with one finger, off-white head. A bit fizzy, good retention and lace.

S: Straw, challah, yeast, light fruits.

T: Spice, sweet bready malt. Pepper and cardamom on the finish, which is a little dry but not too much. Also minerals. Alcohol totally hidden-- that's the fatale part. As the beer warms, cardamom becomes more prominent, and starts to veer towards clove.

M: Medium body, carbonation lightens it up like club soda. Not bad, but unexpected for the style (yet consistent with the appearance at the pour). A little bit of oil and cream after a while.

O: I ilke this. A subdued example of the style, but the flavors are good. Will buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 20:28:42 | More by AmericanGothic

chickenflea

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz stubby bottle bought at Hyvee liguors in Cedar Rapids. Poured a crystal clear yellow gold body with a very small foamy white head. (Recommend leaving the yeast in the bottle on this one. Did not find that it improved the taste or texture.) Aroma is very yeasty, lots of esters, ripe banana, slight white pepper, bready, and apricot. Thick body with chewy texture. Soft carbonation with a consistent uncomplicated taste and finish. Flavor is not as complex as the aroma, yeast, straw, bread crusts, lemon drop, slight bubble gum, some white pepper, and paper napkin. A very pleasant beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 23:57:24 | More by chickenflea

tvv375ia

Iowa

2.65/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A-somewhat hazy maize colored with almost no head that fades quickly

S-fairly light smell of banana is about the best I can come up with nothing really pronounced it is just the faint banana and maybe a little bit of nuts

T-much like the smell nothing jumps out a little fruitiness that is a little reminisent of banana but not much else and then it leads to a slight metallic finish

M-not a real heavy body but slightly better than the light body that it looks like it is going to be

O- this is not a bad beer, just not in line for the style I don't think. For a regular BMC drinker this would be a excellent choice to get them to try something new.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 14:06:03 | More by tvv375ia

rundocrun

Iowa

3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a murky honey color with bright yellow-orange highlights. No head to speak of, even after a rough pour. No lacing on the glass either.

S - I notice two things: Hints of citrus fruits from the hops and/or belgian yeast and a rich bready aroma.

T - An estery, almost metallic tang up front with honey-sweetness and toasted malt flavors following through to the finish. Mild hop bitterness that only strikes toward the finish on the back of the tongue. Hmmm... the metallic taste becomes more evident with each sip. Maybe my taste buds are off tonight?

M - Under-carbonated. Too bad, because I feel like proper carbonation could have made this a good beer, not just an OK one. Otherwise medium-to-thick bodied with a sweet, sticky finish.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 02:44:15 | More by rundocrun

beerdown77

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours golden and has a bitter yeasty flavor that is not too sweet. It is medium bodied and reminds me of a saison. I had one in between a pale tasting and an IPA tasting, not exactly the ideal format for over analyzing this beer, so I won’t. I do know that the body was pretty heavy and one was enough.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 21:01:18 | More by beerdown77

BieresDesMoines

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden color with a nice big tight head with larger than normal bubbles. The aroma is plenty of bread yeast with some nice banana fruitiness and a bit of spice. The flavor follows but the banana is more defined and the spiciness is less so. There is some nice lemon zest and a mild balancing bitterness with a nice enough alcohol character.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2010 20:57:19 | More by BieresDesMoines

TCMike

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass, it produced a half inch head. The color is a hazy honey.
The aroma is of banana, citrus, honey.
The taste is similar plus sweet, sticky, and a hint of alcohol. Medium mouth-feel, and low carbonation.
This isn't a bad beer...but is needs higher carbonation, and a slight recipe tweek. It is promising.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 02:21:51 | More by TCMike

ballz50401

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Duvel tulip glass poured from a 12oz. bottle. Just released from Peace Tree in the bottle.

Appearance: Crystal clear golden color. White head that doesn't last. Very low active carbonation.

Smell: Fruity and spicy. Pears and apples with a peppery spice. Soft alcohol presence.

Taste/Mouthfeel: A nice soft maltiness up front with apple and pear. Slightly spicy with a little alcohol warm. Light to medium mouthfeel. Nice balance, low carbonation.

Overall: Very easy to drink this one. Still missing the characteristic high carbonation levels of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. This brew goes lifeless halfway through drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 05:28:44 | More by ballz50401

iabeerbaron

Iowa

3.1/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Out of the bottle, purchased at Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon, IA. which continues to get a decent selection of beers for a smell town/non-chain grocery store making me a happy customer. Yellowish/amber pour with a small white head. Aroma fruit and grain. Flavor has yeast taste with a banana notes and grain. A decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 18:35:15 | More by iabeerbaron

ChiPool

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a bottle at Flannigan's: Coralville, IA.

I always try to support local breweries, when in Rome (being a good BA!). Belgians are not my go to style, but the selection was somewhat limited at this establishment. The appearance of this brew was not really noteworthy; yellowy, minimal head (odd for the style). You smell banana peel immediately. Tastes of yeast, more banana peel (think banana Now & Laters), & esters. There is a bit of alcohol heat on the back end.

Overall: decent/solid. If Belgians are your thing, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:01:49 | More by ChiPool

Nay

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

You poor bastards in Iowa having to drink this...I feel for you. The clove phenols are there, the finish is strangely dry (alcohol dry) yet cloying. The awesomely designed and labeled bottle was undercarbonated for style and head is lacking like it was regular American 2-row as a base.

I guess if you didn't have access to good beer this would be great.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 04:07:28 | More by Nay