Pelforth Blonde - Brasserie Heineken

napetry

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -2.3%

01-06-2013 23:13:10 | More by napetry

CurtisD

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%

06-03-2013 15:59:18 | More by CurtisD

Monoke

Ireland

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%

06-01-2013 21:47:09 | More by Monoke

Kemmerlin

Colorado

3.06/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: golden of course as all English pale ales. Thin an quickly diluted head. But a slight unfiltered look. Not completely unfiltered just a light haze.
S: strong malt caramel notes, dry biscuit, and faint orange.
T: good character in the malts used with slight vanilla upfront and a good level of bitterness from some faint citrus floral tasting hops.
M/D: lite yet a bittered feel melting away easily. Good drinkability as its a good beer and goes down smoothly. However there isn't anything special about it that makes me want to routinely seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 14:31:40 | More by Kemmerlin

dcbeers

District of Columbia

3/5  rDev -2.3%

02-21-2013 03:54:07 | More by dcbeers

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -2.3%

11-15-2012 02:38:33 | More by cfalovo97

warpedrevolution

Washington

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%

08-07-2012 13:58:20 | More by warpedrevolution

KimenTshom

California

3/5  rDev -2.3%

06-29-2012 09:18:50 | More by KimenTshom

rale

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev -2.3%

04-22-2012 15:57:14 | More by rale

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

25cl Throw away brown bottle: part of a cheap supermarket pack bought in France and brought home for the Christmas guests and friends. The beer is best before 09/2012.

Poured into an 'Augustijn' labelled chalice it looked your typical lager/pilsner more than an English Pale Ale:

The smell however makes you think a bit, doesn't have a lager/pilsner aroma at all, doesn't taste like one either!

This beer appears to have a mixed pedigree and doesn't sit within your normal style rules at all: It is flavoursome, on the sweet side and very drinkable. The smells are grassy and yeasty as is the taste: I enjoyed it, I'm annoyed I gave the rest away to others, I'll have words, none of them told me it was as good as this (for a cheap supermarket beer).

Credit where credit is due: this is a good value beer and I'd buy another pack if it was on offer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 19:17:06 | More by BlackHaddock

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

2/5  rDev -34.9%

11-27-2011 15:39:17 | More by Rochefort10nh

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

2.8/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 250ml bottle with a BB of March 2012. Purchased from a den of iniquity not far from here. I like the pelican emblem on the label.

Poured into a Delerium Tremens chalice. A clear golden-amber colour with decent carbonation. Forms a large head of white foam that rapidly collapses to a surface layer. An earthy aroma of fruity yeast esters with notes of banana, and a hint of stewed leaves/cooked veg. Reminiscent of a low quality Belgian blonde.

Tastes of light, watery malt with a very mild bitterness. Notes of fruity yeast, especially banana, and a dry stewed leaf flavour in the background. Hints of overcooked veg. Mouthfeel is tingly, but thin and astringent. A faint, dry aftertaste of yeast esters and bitter stewed leaves.

Not brilliant. An alternative to industrial lager, but I suspect that France is capable of producing better beers. It most closely resembles a poor Belgian blonde, with some fruity yeast notes but a lack of character and complexity. Body is also pretty thin. Pass it over for something else.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 21:54:32 | More by jazzyjeff13

TheBrewo

Michigan

2.55/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

We pour a brew a shade darker than gold. It holds a frothy white head of one finger. This retains nicely leaving thick lacing around the glass. Carbonation appears robust and translucency is high. No haze or sediment is noted. The nose reminds one of the taproom of an English pub. It is bright with wet and pale malts, mixed ever so slightly with a darker toast. There are hints at a sour vinegar flavoring, and a surprising hop character is present. This latter piece is grassy, with a bit of must. As we sip, the first flavors to hit are sour malts, which here appear on the adjuncty side of life. There is the faintest deepening to them as the beginning evens out, but this is subtle. Accompanying this, and moving us through to the middle is an additional chalky, drying grain, and a further souring apple sweetness. The middle also peaks with a coiny nickel component. Transitioning through to the final wash is a further biting bitterness from the yeast, and a revival of the apple sourness. The aftertaste breathes with dry alcohol that dissipates right off the tongue, and a gritty grainy flavoring. The body is medium and the carbonation is debatably high. The feel to each sip is with minimal slurp and smack, but rather with a drying wave that engulfs the entire mouth. The abv is within range and the beer drinks decently.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the aroma. It was robust enough to conjure up memories, and had a relatively present hop character, which was a nice unexpected bonus. On the other hand, however, the flavoring did not correlate well with what the nose promised. The flavors were a bit mute, and came across as overly metallic, which left the drinker ultimately dissatisfied.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 20:20:35 | More by TheBrewo

cjacobsen

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up from a supermarket in Paris.

Its a clear yellow-ish color. Thin white head.

Smells of citrus and weak hops with a little bit of spice that I can't put my finger on.

It tastes just like it smells. Its got a malt and citrus-heavy front and the aftertaste hints at hops.

Its smooth and reacts to the palate as a pale ale would. Slight carbonation bite that fades.

Its not the best brew and one of the better that France actually produces.

Serving type: can

10-08-2010 13:27:09 | More by cjacobsen

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +30.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Many, many thanks to einweizenbitte for sending me some CANs that were totally foreign to me. I really wish that I had initiated The CANQuest (TM) while I was still on active duty in the Navy.

This was a CAN for the aesthetes among us. A BRUSHED (!) aluminum CAN with raised (!!) pressed lettering and symbology! Holy over the top, Batman! This looks like a piece of modern art. Needless to say, it will NOT be getting recycled. This is a keeper.

Come to think of it, that may be another reason to leave aesthetics and CANs separate. If people begin to hang onto their beautiful CANs, the recycling chain will be irreparably broken! Go Green, make your CANs as ugly as possible!

The Crack & Glug action presented me with two fingers' worth of explosive bone-white foam with moderate retention. Color was a beautiful golden-yellow with NE-plus clarity. Liquid sunshine in my glass! Nose had a clean, unencumbered lager sweetness along with a whiff of the Noble hops mentioned in the style characteristics. Mouthfeel was medium with a malt sweetness up front, followed by a mild hoppiness in the mouth. Finish was very pleasant, very quaffable. Do they allow you to bring a cooler to the Champs Elysee? I could spend an afternoon gazing at l'Arc de Triomphe et La Tour d'Eiffel in a lawn chair, drinking this beer, but I'd bet les flics might have something to say about it.

Serving type: can

09-05-2010 09:01:29 | More by woodychandler

glid02

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On-tap at Les Distilleries Ideales in Nice.

Pours a pale straw color with a half-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of light and mildly sweet malts and not much else.

Tastes a bit better than it smells. Light malt flavors with heavy influences from adjuncts kick things off. Very light hints of breadiness briefly come into play midway through the sip before fading out into a nondescript ending.

Mouthfeel is OK. It's a bit on the thin side with active carbonation.

Drinkability is not so great. I finished mine but will not have another.

Overall there just isn't enough going on in this beer to entice me into having another. Nothing terrible but nothing even near redeeming.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2010 04:03:23 | More by glid02

speter

New Jersey

2.68/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a clear straw color with a one-finger head that faded quickly, leaving no lace.

S: I'm getting quite a bit of citrus and spice in the nose, much more than would be expected from the hops. Even an overtone of cloves in there.

T: The taste unfortunately mirrors the smell. There is an unappetizing lemon overtone (think dishwashing liquid) as well as pepper and cumin. It's not the worst beer I've had, but I wouldn't seek this out again.

M: Light with good carbonation. Refreshing on a warm day.

D: As an standard euro pale lager, it's not undrinkable, so long as you like the lemon and pepper flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2010 19:39:46 | More by speter

sfprint

Germany

3.75/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: Orange in color and clear, moderate head.

smell: sweet and citrusy, also apple cidery

taste: pleasantly tangy, mild bitterness.

mouthfeel: barely dry, light, soft and smooth. goes down easy.

overall: pretty great, surprising for heineken.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2010 23:37:05 | More by sfprint

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at a cafe across from the Louvre. It was a standard euro lager, light and refreshing, perfect for a warm sunny day in Paris.

The beer was crystal clear, the color of straw, with a thin head (looks like a USA macro). The taste was OK, light malt sweetness with no discernable hops except those used to keep the sweetness in check, maybe a little bread but I could have imagined that into it. Translation = like a USA macro. The body is light and the beer goes down easily. Like a you-know-what.

Not a bad choice when in Paris, basically the local version of the world's #1 beer style by volume.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2010 21:32:04 | More by TurdFurgison

ccrida

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On draught at a cafe in Paris, Pelforth Blonde is a fizzy gold with a creamy white head with nice last, leaving light lace.

Smell is soft, sweet cereals.

Taste is on the lighter side, with a crisp, metallic bite, plasticy phenols and some honey sweetness to the bready malt.

Mouthfeel is sharp, dry.

Drinkability is ok, nothing special though.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2010 21:48:55 | More by ccrida

AmberMan22

Minnesota

3.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Had this on tap before, it was better then. Right now I've got a 33cl can on hand, poured into a pint glass.

Pours a rich, clear goldenrod. Head disappears quickly, but leaves some stickage. Better looking than average for the category.

Smell is better than usual too. Buttery tones, maybe a faint hint of alcohol, some light malt.

The taste seems like it has two personalities. The sweetness and malt flavors pit themselves against the faint hop presence and light alcohol. Overall a sweeter beer, but not fruity.

Mouthfeel is light and fairly thin. Strangely dry finish, though I don't mind it.

Bottom line, there are other things I'd drink before this, but considering the category, it could be much worse.

Serving type: can

10-23-2009 17:37:48 | More by AmberMan22

jbro434

Switzerland

4.1/5  rDev +33.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep gold, decent half inch head that lingers in a 8oz pilsner glass. Sweet upfront, then dry, hoppy and a burst full of malty flavor with a lingering after taste that produces a hint of sweet malt and hop balance that is both refreshing and pleasing. This is my favorite French beer and it is slightly cheaper and superior im taste to the brune, in my opinion. The 5.8 abv will sneak up on you due to the drinkability of this brew. Full of flavor and complexity for a common peoples beer.

Serving type: can

05-29-2009 19:52:54 | More by jbro434

atis

Finland

3.43/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden with maximum head slightly above edges of the glass, good retention, strings of small carbonation bubbles rising, good patchy lacing. Aroma is citrus malt with floral hops.

Taste is citrusy hops with weak sweet malt, some fruit and clean finish, weak sweetish citrusy aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light with medium carbonation.

Overall, the beer is good and very refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2009 22:13:12 | More by atis

watchnerd

California

2.63/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Purchased a 500 ml can at a Parisian super market on Boulevard de Grenelle in the 15e arrondisement. Paid a little under 2 euro for the can. I've been buying an assortment of this cans while here, drinking 1-2 per night.

This beer? Meh, it was just okay. Nothing to write home about. 5.8% alcohol is about an average ABV for this category. The taste was completely unmemorable, which is both good and bad. Bad, that there was nothing noteworthy or special about the taste of beer, nothing to recommend it, per se, give other, better options. Good, it was not offensive or nasty, either, unlike the Bavaria 86 swill I had this week, too.

Overall, it's an inoffensive if forgetable beer, and one that can be had safely if presented to you. On the other hand, it's not worth seeking out, either.

Serving type: can

10-07-2008 21:23:42 | More by watchnerd

TheSarge

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pelforth Blonde pours decently with bright white head, with a gold and clear body.

Aromas are bitter and slightly skunky.

The taste is decent with a malty sweetness and a good follow up with lemony hops.

This is a bit more refreshing than the Kronenbourgh 1664 I just had.

Overall this meets the standard for a decent pale lager. There is nothing special here, thought. I was a little disappointed, because I like the brown a bit more that Pelforth puts out.

Serving type: can

06-30-2008 08:01:05 | More by TheSarge