Bailey's Blonde Ale - Cisco Brewers Inc.

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

2.25/5  rDev -39.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Wow, aggressive fizzy/foamy head (whipped Egg whites) Clear bright gold beer with some visible carbonation.. The head does have a lot of structure and nice retention...

The aroma is a little odd. Plastic.. slightly medicinal. Grass, slight citrus a touch of grapefruit & lemon.

Noticeable medicinal taste and quite yeasty.. Lemon and black pepper.
Taste a bit like a homebrew... Just has a plastic/medicinal tone... I keep waiting for something to grow on me and it's not....

Not much body.. Just a tingle of carbonation...

Not too drinkable to be honest..

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 20:11:57 | More by Reagan1984

deBeers

California

2.3/5  rDev -38.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Sadly this beer tasted ahborrible. The only salvage it had was that after it sat around for a few hours it was slightly more palpatable. I hope my bottle was bad because this was sadly not an enjoyable beer. To give some credit, we did finish the bottle.

I would not buy this again. On the other hand the Whale Tale was good. Not sure if this was my aversion to this beer or problems with quality control.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2006 23:53:38 | More by deBeers

BierReise

Florida

2.53/5  rDev -32.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Slightly hazy and light honey colored with a massive and out of control head. This bottle seems like it was overprimed or something. Yeasty aroma and slightly citrusy with a hint of white grapes maybe? This is super carbonated and extremely effervescent which is really unpleasant to me. Flavor is on the bitter side (also a dissapointment) which hides most everything else except the yeast. I'm thinking maybe I got a bad bottle here considering the good reviews I've read. I tried like hell but could not enjoy this brew

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2003 22:27:14 | More by BierReise

scoobybrew

Iowa

2.58/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A - golden color with a thick chill haze (clarifies as it warms), decent head, fair retention

S - modest American citrus-like hop, biscuity pale malt

T - moderate citrus hop flavor with a fairly astringent hop bitterness on finish; malt is present, but not very supportive of hop bitterness or flavors

M - medium body, moderate carbonation

D - This is a disappointing American blonde ale. The balance is all off. The malt cannot support the hop flavors or finish. The malt character is muddy and neither distinct or interesting. But it's not a drain-pour, BUT I won't be getting this again. It might be better closer to the source, I would hope.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 01:37:39 | More by scoobybrew

DrJay

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Cisco brewpub at Logan airport.
This one poured a hazy, dark gold with a dense, white cap. Good head retention with some spotty lacing. Bitterness was moderate overall, but seemed a little harsh. It had a light citrus flavour with slight spiciness, cereal grains, a bit of sweetness and lingering bitterness. The aroma was all cereal, citrus, and a bit of spice. Light to medium bodied with creamy carbonation, off-dry. This just didn't come together for me. I didn't enjoy the combination of flavours and there was a bit of perceived harshness from the hops/spicy character.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2011 21:12:52 | More by DrJay

jnezda

Texas

2.88/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Tried this beer after being rushed through the beer list at the Cisco in Logan. Described as a light Belgian, when it seems to be a Blonde after further research. Knowing that adds a tinge to this review but I will go from my notes and not the other reviews. Served in a 22oz Becker the beer was a light golden color with a thin white head that left good lacing. The smell was lightly if at all present, perhaps some floral tones. Taste was bready, and floral with little of the promises body of a Belgian. Little character in the taste profile and would seem much for fitting for a Blonde session that a Pale Belgian. Good carbonation but few other redeeming qualities.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2009 04:25:31 | More by jnezda

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer pours out a muddy golden color with out much head. The lacing is very minimal. The head that is there is just a thin white film over the top. The smell of the is grainy with some earthy hops. The taste is a little earthy and had a dirty hop flavor the overpowers the taste. The mouthfeel is medium, decent carbonation. Overall, not a fan, didn't think this was much of a blonde ale personally. I'll leave this one alone in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 16:58:55 | More by Knapp85

cbl2

New York

3.05/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

7/5/2005 $5.99 750 mL 7.50% No best by date.

Appearance:

Pours a crystal clear pale yellow, but as with other Cisco beers I've sampled, there is a definite carbonation problem, with over 3 inches of head, that refuses to settle.

Aroma:

Faint citrusy hops with a weird combo of licorice.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Carbonation is out of control, as this beer expands in the mouth, and is difficult to discern any true flavor characteristics. Once things settle a bit, a mild hop presence is felt along with a moderate malt senstation that is reminiscent of a European pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 15:10:17 | More by cbl2

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1 pt 9.4 fl oz (750ml) bottle from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a huge 4+" bright white head above the slightly cloudy straw hued brew. Had to be patient, let things fade, and then add more ot the glass. Head is thick and frothy, like melted marshmallow on top of hot chocolate, to paint an image. Lacing is tremendous. Just wish I could get it in the glass faster and get to the tasting part. An effervescent citrusy aroma, with a little something in there that I don't recognize, kind of bitingly bitter (my first thought is bug spray, but we'll pretend I didn't think that). Taste is kind of bitterly harsh, what with the pale malt and hops more like duking it out than playing a symphony together. And it's not just a hops bitterness, but more earthy. Anyways, sort of tones down the mouthfeel and drinkability for me, although it does improve as it continues to warm towards romm temperature.

Not my favorite beer ever, but it hasn't turned me away from Cisco entirely, either. Hoping for a bit more out of their other products.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2004 21:39:54 | More by ppoitras

TexIndy

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a pint glass. No dating info but they just hit the market here so should be fresh. It was a clear dark honey color with lots of carb streams and great lacing. It had a massive white head that took forever to whittle down to a constant 1/4" foam.

Being a blonde ale, I was expecting a mostly malt aroma but this one had floral hops upfront and center. There was some bready malt but it was buried in the back. I love hoppy aromas but there was something a bit off in this one. Couldn't pin it down but just didn't have that great hop aroma like an IPA. The taste was good but I found it to be harshly bitter with too lingering of an after-taste. Needed more of a malt balance to cut the bitterness.

Overall, an interesting beer that surprised me style wise. This is more IPA than blonde to me. I much more prefer their Grey Lady but was glad to try this one. Mild recommend. For me, one and done.

[1xBOA]

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2009 01:49:21 | More by TexIndy

ksimons

New York

3.2/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A-12oz beer poured into a Saranac pint glass, is a clear golden blond with a very thin layer of white head that leaves some lacing around the top

S-a light bitter hop smell mixed with some sweet malts

T-very bitter! much more so than I was expecting based on the smell. After you get through the hops there is a bit of sweet malts, but not enough to balance it out

M-medium carbonation and a light to medium body, leaves a bitter aftertaste

D-more like an IPA than anything else, not something I would pick up again

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 22:09:43 | More by ksimons

bradmann

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought this 750 at a little place in Malden, MA.

A: Poured a golden color with a hint of orange and a bright white, foamy two-finger head that didn't last long; a little lacing. Pretty cloudy, definitely not filtered.
S: Apples and Cascade hops
T: Overwhelming hops and a hint of grapefruit.
M: Carbonation is a little much in the finish but the hops don't bite too hard.
D: Good summer beer. Would definitely take this over a Sierra Nevada any day as the 7.5% is completely unnoticeable.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2008 23:24:51 | More by bradmann

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

No real bottle date and had some sediment at the base so I can only assume it's over 7 months old.

A - A very hazy amber yellow so not quite blonde at all. Head exploded forth filling my whole glass with foam even with a tilt. So far not good.

S - No real hops just a raw grain smell and maybe some musk.

T - OK this bottle is older than I thought I am for sure getting a wet cardboard flavor next to some bittering hops and a very raw grainy taste. A shell of it's former self.

M - Medium bodied.

Overall I may revisit since I liked the summertime lager but I even had that one with age and it was at least drinkable. This one resulted in a 1/4 of the bottle drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 15:21:49 | More by DrDemento456

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very nice golden straw color that with a head that goes on forever. Who got out the cool whip? Extremely citrusy/grassy aroma. Somewhat harsh flavor-not unpleasant-quenching and crisp. Astringent mouthfeel but again not in a bad way. A nice beer for a hot summer day though I was hoping for a more discernable medley of the hops and malt. It all seems to "rush" together. I look forward to trying some of this breweries other products.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2004 22:55:05 | More by lackenhauser

Overlord

California

3.35/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks Corey, for the extra!

Pours a murky gold color. Huge white sudsy foam head.

Smell is surprisingly grapefruit zesty. That's basically all I'm getting.

And, not surprisingly, the taste is big with grapefruit/lemon rind-zest. There's maybe a slight bit of balancing malt and a twinge of piney hop content, but the zest doesn't complement here, it takes center stage. There is a yeasty component to it. One of the stronger tasting blondes I've had. Wow, that didn't sound quite right.

Good mouthfeel. Not all that drinkable, but nice to try.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 08:21:52 | More by Overlord

brockdidntslide

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Soapy is a good term. It is, in fact, soapy. Good taste but clearly a summer feel to it. If you're headed to the beach at sunset and have some shellfish to cook, this is an excellent choice that will take you well through the evening. If you are drinking under other conditions, it's a good choice but there are greater.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 21:25:25 | More by brockdidntslide

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Alright, so this one's lovingly named after Bailey the Dog. That's sweet. Bailey sure has become an increasingly popular dog name over the past several years. Doesn't anyone name their dog Doctor Bacon these days?

Appearance: Pours a hazy, dull golden body with a smallish, fizzy-looking, white head.

Smell: Soft pale malts aroma with rich supporting notes of fruity peaches, flowers, and pithy hops.

Taste: Pale maltiness sporting a slight graininess and a small bit of tangy malted wheat close behind. There's a delicate sweet and flavors of fruit wildflowers, but this is expeditiously plowed away by a strong, caustic hop bitterness. Coarse, pithy hop character. Finishes quite dry and crisp with a long, lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Highly carbonated.

Drinkability: There's some good there, but with its copious amount of bitterness and, for me, over-abundant carbonation, it was a bit of chore to finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2009 23:21:34 | More by ChainGangGuy

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz. bomber into a pint glass. Pours a lovely dirty blonde yellow color with thick thick thick creamy white foam. After the pours, foam ice caps remain in the liquid brew. The lacing is like shaving cream on the side of the glass.

Smell is mild sweet, with some hop coming through. Not terribly notable.

Taste is honey sweet, but just a bit, taken over by a flavorful hop that rides out the sensation the rest of the way. There's some citrus in there as well. Modestly carbonated in the mouthfeel.

A drinkable brew, though not sure I'd reup after my first 22oz-er. But tasty nevertheless. More hoppy than a I'd expect from a Blonde ale, but definitely notches below an APA.

Love the labels!

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2009 01:53:49 | More by KTCamm

GregPearson33

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

When I opened it a thick (bottle conditioned?) froth began to overflow from the bottle. The head has pretty loose lacing with big sticky fireman's foam bubbles that stick to the sides of the glass even as it dissipates. I can see very active carbonation through my super special Sam Adams tasting glass - I really do like this thing! Anyway, the beer also has a great light golden-straw color which I'm finding particularly inviting (probably because it alludes to lighter taste and better drinkability than say, one of the imperial stouts I've been drinking all winter).

The smell was floral with definite hints of sour apple and citrus as well. Taste was similar similar to a Belgian (go figure...) with sour pear notes that were presented well in front of a slight bitter after bite. Given the relatively high ABV I think this had tremendous drinkability, almost more similar to a lager than ale.

Decent brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 20:17:46 | More by GregPearson33

emerge077

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 3/9/2012, so it's nearly 7 months old, bummer.
It pours a brassy orange with fair clarity, long lasting foam and sudsy lacing, a spotty band adheres to the rim of the glass. A delicate thin veil of skim maintains itself for the entire glass.

Grassy faded hop tea aromas, mild with a vague grainy malt note.

Flavors follow suit, some vague dried citrus peel of Centennial and bready pale malt sweetness, light residual hop bitterness. Light bodied, dry with a decent hop presence still detectable. The tea notes are telltale signs of age, but its not entirely faded. A fresher sample is needed to give it a fair shake, hopefully the shop will still carry it in singles.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:37:01 | More by emerge077

RedChrome

Connecticut

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The color was a murky medium yellow color. A super fluffy white head took a few minutes to shrink. Tons of carbonation rising rapidly in the glass. Huge clumps of thick fluffy lacing.

A plastic soapy quality offset the citrus aroma in the first noseful. There is a very light yeasty malt aroma. Overall quality of the citrus and malt is brought down by the plastic nature.

A nice crisp beer on the tongue. Taste is a nice balance of bitter citric hops flavors and a faint sourdough bread quality. Aftertaste develops more malt character and less hop. A nice refreshing beer.

Carbonation is extremely active on the surfaces of the mouth. A nice thic quality for a beer with a light taste.

A very nice refreshing beer. Would be great with grilled chicken ata picnic on a warm summer day. A true surprise treat. If you like this style or kolsch it's worth picking up.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2006 07:09:25 | More by RedChrome

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, bottled 4/11/12. Poured into a Unibroue tulip. Hazy, gold body with a white head, low retention. Clear lacing. Aroma includes zesty citrus, maybe percimon and lemon. Taste has a crisp hop bitterness with a dry aftertaste. Some grapefruit flavor of hops, light in malt character. Not a bad beer, I'm sure it's just a touch past its prime.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 07:59:21 | More by KickbacksSteve

erosier

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

L: Pours a nice yellow orange color with a tall a medium bodied white colored head that fades slowly and laces the glass on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet toasted malts followed by hints of citrus, grassy, lemon zest, and a big hop finish.
T: Tastes of sweet toasted malts and, like the nose, is followed up with big summer flavors of citrus (mainly lemon) then earthy, and citrusy hops at the end of it. Finishes very clean.
M: Very crisp, medium bodied, fresh, refreshing, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Very drinkable, had a lot more hop flavor than I was expecting, but also had a higher abv so it was pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2010 10:42:14 | More by erosier

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The weather here in Denver is "hot" for February. Like 60 degrees...my god I want a blonde (ale)

So, pours a cloudy golden, some particles around in there. Nice 2 finger foam, dense, white, chunked up a bit. Lacing is very nice, too. Shows promise

A malt back bone, light and slightly toasty. Hops are noticeable and drive the beer in terms of flavor and feel. A bit lemony, a bit flowery. The aroma is more hoppy than the taste, as the taste has more of the malt in it. The aftertaste is a bit husky, but just short of musty and stale. That's good, but it takes drinkability down a notch. Carbonation was just right. Cleanses palate and leaves that little bit of malty aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 08:44:12 | More by Mebuzzard

Thrasher

Oregon

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

Part of a 4-pack of 750s packaged with a cd of some very amateur-sounding music. Gives the package a real homespun vibe. Bottle reads: "good fresh beer." Ah that's the ticket! Beer is extremely pale gold, hazy, with tight fluffy head that sticks. Some light maltiness and breadiness in nose. Flavor is dominated by yeast which is a little unfortunate as their are some interesting things going on. Best to let it sit and warm. Hop bitterness is evident, reminiscent of a soft pilsner, but again overshadowed by sour yeast. Some lemon characteristics but overall not as hoppy as I was anticipating.
This would be a fine beer if there was less yeast. It just doesn't seem fit the style. On tap I'm sure it is great. Bottle-conditioned, though, there is just too much to keep this delicate beer from being overwhelmed. I prefer to drink any really yeasty beers (which are by and large Belgian) with a meal, so perhaps I am doing this beer an injustice by drinking it on its own. What would I drink with this beer? How about a big red fresh boiled lobster, with generous amounts of butter and lemon. Keep it simple. Sorry to make so much of the yeast element, I'm sure others will take a sip of this beer and wonder what I'm fussing about.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2003 16:02:56 | More by Thrasher