Judge’s Review: 96 Rating – Smashing Honey Blonde by Hoppin’ Frog Brewery

Alternative Sugar Beer | Year-Round | USA

By Sean Coughlin

Judges Rating: 96.00
Aroma: 24.00
Appearance: 4.00
Flavor: 39.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 19.00

Smashing Honey Blonde by Hoppin’ Frog Brewery is being evaluated as an Alternative Sugar Beer (2021 BJCP Guidelines Category 31B) due to being a blonde ale brewed with honey.  

The aroma is inviting, with a pronounced honeycomb-like presence and bread dough undertones. The honey adds a floral element, reminiscent of honeysuckle. While many hops can present as floral, this is definitely not hop-derived. The fermentation character is very clean and appropriately plays no role in the aroma. The beer is a medium blonde with a light haze but no turbidity. The white head is small and struggles to build or persist.

The flavor follows the aroma: bread dough with a light floral presence. The honey offers more floral character than sweetness, maximizing complexity of flavor and drinkability. The honey is subtle but present without coming close to braggot/mead territory. Hops are absent in flavor, but offer enough bitterness to balance. A bit one-dimensional, but blonde ales are not renowned for their diversity of flavor profile.

A medium body with moderate carbonation and a moderately dry finish helps make this beer one that you’ll order a second pint of before you’ve finished your first. A definitively World Class beer in a style that rarely sees innovation and experimentation. Plaudits to Hoppin’ Frog for this one.