Arran Blonde Country of Origin: Scotland
Brewery: Arran
Beer Style: Blonde Ale, English Ale/Bitter, Wheat Beer
Alcohol By Volume: 5.0%
Format: 500 ml bottles
We at Shelton Brothers sample quite a bit of beer, from all over the world. We've always been huge fans of British ales, but it's rare when one just blows us away. Lately, however, two beers from newish little breweries in Scotland have done just that. The first was Blackfriar, from the Inveralmond Brewery in Perth, north of Edinburgh.
The second was Arran Blonde, the flagship beer from a small brewery nestled at the foot of the mountains on the stunning Isle of Arran, in the shadow of the island's picturesque castle.
Don't let the name fool you . . . . Arran Blonde is not one of those fizzy yellow lawnmower beers. It is a rich, flavorful wheat ale, with the freshest hop character we've tasted in a long time. With a single stroke, Scotland has laid to rest its reputation as brewer of dull, hopless beers.
Put this light Blonde beer to your lips, and it’s as if you’ve drifted off to sleep on a great, soft bed of freshly-picked hops, risen to Beer Heaven on a gentle wave of delicious, spicy hop aroma, drunk full from the forbidden cup of the Hop Goddess. Never before has any brewery so artfully coaxed all the flowery, herbal nuances out of the whole hop – somehow leaving behind the overwhelming hop bitterness that would only numb the senses.
Arran Blonde won 'Best British Beer' at the 2003 SIBA (Scottish Society of Independent Brewers Awards -- the most prestigious brewing competition in the country), 'Best Bottled Beer' in 2002, 'Best Wheat Beer' in 2001, and may very soon become your favorite Scottish beer. |
