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Strong Belgian Ale / 25A

Belgian Blond Ale

Certified Beer Server Candidate Style Profile

Official BJCP guideline sections attached for full style exploration.

Certification exam alignment
Certified Beer Server Certified Cicerone® Advanced Cicerone® BJCP Beer Judge Entrance Exam
Source
BJCP 2021 Beer Style Guidelines

Overall Impression

A golden, moderately-strong Belgian ale with a pleasantly subtle citrusy-spicy yeast complexity, smooth malty palate, and dry, soft finish.

Aroma

Light to moderate grainy-sweet, slightly toasty, or crackery malt. Subtle to moderate yeast profile featuring fruity-citrusy esters (like oranges or lemons), and background spicy-peppery phenols. Light earthy or spicy hop notes optional. Light perfumy alcohol and suggestions of a light malty sweetness can give a slight honey- or sugar-like character. Subtle yet complex.

Appearance

Deep yellow to deep gold color. Generally very clear. Large, dense, and creamy white to off-white head. Good head retention with Belgian lace.

Flavor

Similar to the aroma, with the light to moderate grainy-sweet malt flavor being perceived first. Faint, lightly caramelized sugar or honey-like sweetness on palate. Medium bitterness, with the malt slightly more prominent in the balance. Moderate to low yeast profile with orange or lemon esters, and slight spicy-peppery phenols. Can have a light perfumy character. Light hop flavor, can be spicy or earthy, complementing yeast. Finishes medium-dry to dry, smooth, and soft, with light alcohol and malt in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel

Medium-high to high carbonation, can give mouth-filling bubbly sensation. Medium body. Light to moderate alcohol warmth, but smooth. Can be somewhat creamy.

Vital Statistics

IBU
15 - 30
SRM
4 - 6
ABV
6% - 7.5%

Commercial Examples

  • Affligem Blond
  • Corsendonk Blond

Similar Styles: How to Tell Them Apart

Use these guideline-based sensory contrasts to organize comparative tasting practice.

Both are pale, dry, highly carbonated Belgian ales with grainy-sweet malt, fruit, peppery spice, and optional earthy or spicy hops. Belgian Single is a lower-strength table beer with aggressive yeast, hops, and bitterness; Belgian Blond Ale is stronger, smoother, maltier, and softer in its fermentation character.

Compare with: 26A. Belgian Single

By aroma

  • Belgian Blond Ale has light to moderate grainy-sweet, crackery, or lightly toasty malt with subtle orange-or-lemon esters and peppery phenols.
  • Its yeast and hop character is gentler than Belgian Single's, while light perfumy alcohol or honey-like sweetness suggests greater strength.

By taste

  • Belgian Blond Ale is maltier and smoother, with medium bitterness and a slight grainy-sweet, honey, or lightly caramelized-sugar impression.
  • It finishes medium-dry to dry and soft rather than as crisp, lean, and hop-bitter as Belgian Single.
  • Medium body and light to moderate smooth warmth distinguish it from the lower-strength table beer.

Quick tell: Smooth pale malt, restrained citrus-pepper yeast, and gentle warmth favor Belgian Blond Ale.

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