On Your Mark Blonde

On Your Mark by KitNA Brewing is being evaluated as a Blonde Ale (Category 18A in the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines).

It poured a straw color with a slightly hazy appearance. The head texture was unique in that it wasn’t comprised of just fine or medium-sized bubbles, but both, and was different than what I’m used to.

The aroma was mostly moderate grapefruit juice with restrained floral attributes. No malt nor esters were perceived nor were there any off-flavors. As it warmed, a low, sweet mandarin orange element emerged.

The grapefruit juice nose crosses over to the flavor where it dominates. Moderate hop bitterness with a citrus pithiness lingers until the aftertaste. A dry finish allows for high drinkability even in the warmest of temperatures. No malt could be perceived. The high, spritzy carbonation aids in providing a bit of a body to the beer.

On Your Mark is a fine beverage but falls a bit short in the beer category. Although it’s non-alcoholic, the aroma and flavor were a bit one-dimensional and fell a bit flat on the palate as a result. But if you’re looking for something tasty while watching your alcohol consumption or need something refreshing during the warm summer months, then this beverage may be something you’d want to consider.