Judge’s Review: 86 Rating – Blood Orange Blonde by Mully’s Brewery

Fruit Beer | Year-Round | USA

By Sal Mortillaro II

Judges Rating: 86.00
Aroma: 21.00
Appearance: 5.00
Flavor: 36.00
Mouthfeel: 8.00
Overall Impression: 16.00

Mully’s Brewery Blood Orange Blonde is being judged as a Fruit Beer (29A) with a Blonde Ale (18A) base style per the 2021 BJCP style guidelines.
This beer pours a golden color with a slight orange hue with a nice clear clarity. On the pour, no head forms with the exception of tiny bubbles around the ring of the glass and very light wisps of very light foam on top. Medium blood orange aroma with a slight juiciness. There is a light grainy malt aroma as it warms. There is a bitter orange peel note in the background as the beer warms. 
On the initial sip there is a slight acidity with a low blood orange flavor. A very low grainy malt flavor is quickly taken over by a medium bitterness. There is a quick sensation of a very low malt sweetness before the bitterness continues to build well into the aftertaste. The bitterness builds and becomes a touch too imbalanced for this particular beer. There is no perceived hop flavor in this beer as the orange flavor and continual bitterness seem to mask any there may be. The body is medium thin with medium-low carbonation, and a slight creaminess. The bitterness comes off slightly astringent and sharp. 
Overall, this is a very good beer that is refreshing to drink. However, the blood orange character and bitterness come out too much and get in the way. A little more balance would make it much more enjoyable.