Buffalo Bill’s Strawberry Blonde Ale

Evaluated as BJCP 2015 Style 29B (Fruit and Spice Beer) with Strawberry and Ginger, with the base style of 18A, American Blonde Ale. Pours an almost clear gold with a large white poofy head of small bubbles that hangs around and leaves Belgian lacing on the side of the glass. The initial aroma is light bread crusts and honey, with a hint of black pepper, a slight resinous note, and hints of strawberry. The flavor has malt notes like crackers, slight strawberry, and a hint of chili pepper, along with a bit of a ginger-like burn. Medium light body is supported by moderate carbonation. The underlying Blonde style is quite hoppy, both with herbal and spicy notes, but also with a fairly bitter finish that is strengthened by the ginger burn almost to the point of being slightly astringent. Well made and clean, but slightly out of balance with the hop bittering. This beer would be well suited to a cheesy artichoke dip and pita chips.