Blonde Ale

This recipe takes inspiration from the lighter, easier-drinking blonde ales that the Belgian Trappist monks brew largely for themselves—but you can have some, too.

Much of the attention often goes to bigger beers—such as the famed dubbels and tripels from Belgium’s monastery breweries—but don’t let that keep you from appreciating the smaller ales in life.

From Accra’s Heritage Brewing, Ghana’s first modern brewpub, comes this recipe for their flagship lager—technically an ale, but cleanly fermented—featuring local maize and cassava as the bulk of its fermentables.

Ready to brew a great American lawnmower beer?

From Cervecería Hércules in Santiago de Querétaro, here’s a taste of summer from Mexico featuring a global blend of American, British, German, and New Zealand hops.

This is a simple yet remarkably enjoyable style that novice brewers can get right the first time—yet experienced brewers can appreciate it the 100th time and beyond.

The defining traits of a Ukrainian golden ale are its golden hue, a relatively high ABV, and a smooth, sweet finish balanced by soft bitterness.

Ukraine has been on the minds of many people around the world for more than a year now—but that’s not why its national beer style deserves a spot in the global canon. Instead, let’s consider Ukrainian golden ale on its own merits.

MadeWest Brewing in Ventura, California, calls it a “light ale” or a “blonde ale.” Whatever you call it, it won gold at GABF in 2018 and silver in 2019. Aromatic hopping, cooler fermentation, and full attenuation are the keys to its super-crisp profile.

MadeWest Brewing in Ventura, California, won GABF gold in 2018 and silver in 2019 for its flagship blonde ale, Standard. Mike Morrison, cofounder and head brewer, sketches out its origins and lays out the schematics of this extraordinary ordinary beer.

This blonde ale is more flavorful than your average “lawnmower” beer, so save it for after you mow. Once you dial in the recipe, this beer will get your non-beer-drinking friends started down the path to craft-beer obsession! And you’ll enjoy it, too.

Southside Blonde is a sessionable Belgian-style blonde ale that is light-bodied and dry with a hint of fruitiness from the yeast. Southside is a friendly pairing with a variety of foods and an approachable choice for all types of beer drinkers.

This Blonde Ale is more flavorful than your average "lawnmower" beer, so save it for after you mow. Once you dial in the recipe, this will be the beer that gets your non-beer-drinking friends started down the path to craft beer.