Cedar Glade "Sweet Relief" Blonde Ale

Honestly, so far these guys are a big meh. They need to start swinging for the fence and see what they can do. I'd have expected the biggest hit to be the IPA, but that was barely above the average zone, and it was pretty good. I want to see them scraping (or actually achieving the rarified air of an excellent beer. They don't have to hit a 5/5, but a 4.25/5 wouldn't go amiss. 

The pale yellow beer releases its head with aplomb and alacrity. Just a dust of bubbles lays atop the very slightly hazy blonde ale. The aroma is striking with mandarin oranges, coriander, and some grapefruit. It smells quite strong for a blonde, and I don't mean that the 5.0% ABV is punching above its weight. Instead, the flavors are quite potent from afar, and I want get in there and dig around a bit.

First sip is much more relaxed than the smell was, but it still has a certain kind of fruit skins and peach fuzz on the back end that is not settled down like the front end was. This really seemed like it was going to be one of those thirst-quencher beers that are full of fruit and joy. The back end, however, is casting some doubt on the joy. 

Tip-in is oranges and coriander with a gentle carbonation buzz and a hint of bitterness coming in. The middle raises the carbonation, but the flavors mellow to let a quite refreshing center of the beer slide down the throat. The finish is where things are still off. Bitterness and fruit pits seem to take over from the juice to give an unbalanced trail off.

Bottom Line: I wanted to like it more.

2.5/5