Florida Beer: Beach Blonde Ale From 3 Daughters Brewing

Every week, we take a look at a craft beer brewed in Florida. Follow #FloridaBeerFriday for more reviews of Sunshine State brews. Get out there and #DrinkLocal.

This week, we're going to check out Beach Blonde Ale from 3 Daughters Brewing, a brewery we looked at last month when we sampled the Bimini Twist IPA.

As explained then, 3 Daughters Brewing began in December of 2013, brewing out on the west coast of Florida, in St. Petersburg. Unsurprisingly, it's named after owner Mike Harting's three daughters. The brewery began canning its beers for distribution last November.

The Beach Blonde Ale is a fairly straightforward beer, at least as far as ingredients are concerned. The malt body is provided by two row pale, and Crystal, with bittering provided by American Hallertau and Saaz.

Currently, the BJCP, or Beer Judge Certification Program, has the blonde ale listed under the Light Hybrid Beer style of beers as a subcategory. They describe the style as being an "easy-drinking, approachable, malt-oriented American craft beer."

The beer pours a clear straw yellow with a voluptuous white head that leaves quite a bit of lacing. Aromas are grassy, mildly citrusy (with a sort of tangelo character), with an almost hidden note of soapy apricot. It's a hard one to distinguish, but agitating the beer brings it out. The flavor is lemony with associated pepper, as well as grape, honey, and a bit of cracker. It's not particularly thin or thick in mouthfeel but leaves a bit of grassy aftertaste. It's quite the flavorful blonde, which can sometimes fall into the trap of being too basic.

3 Daughters Beach Blonde is available in 12-ounce cans at discerning beer sellers across the South Florida area.

Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers, and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.