Saaz Blonde

Carlsberg

Available: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, VA, VT, WA, WI

The Jacobsen Brewhouse at the Carlsberg brewery is named for J.C. Jacobsen, Carlsberg’s founder. The micreobrewery is constructed in an 1878 warehouse at the Old Carlsberg Brewery, which produces a new line of four Jacobsen and four Semper Ardens specialty beers, plus a Christmas seasonal.

Alcohol (vol.): 7.1
Color: 16
Bitterness: 14
Original Gravity: 1059.7
Final gravity: 1016
Malts used: Munchener malt and also standard pilsener malt

Globalization at its best! Jacobsen who founded Carlsberg in Copenhagen was one of the pioneers of lager beer, having traveled to Bavaria by stagecoach to procure bottom fermenting yeast. One hundred fifty-nine years later, his memory is honored with a “Belgian” style beer in a splendid package. Strawberry blond, with a creamy head—the nose is inviting and full of fruit. The flavor is exciting, packed with a symphony of spice, yeast and malt. A lovely balance of acidity and sweetness makes it delicious as an aperitif but even better with foods like Danish gravlax, French chevre and American apple pie.
- Charles Finkel

Honey blonde, I would say. Clear honey. Pale amber, with an almost pinkish tinge. The inclusion of the hop variety in this beer's name led m to expect an especially floral bouquet. There were some suggestions of pollen, buttercups and daisies, but more sun-dried grass. Hay-like and cereal notes were evident in the palate, Firm and slender, with a crisp, peppery finish. The first Mr Jacobsen headed north 200 years ago with the secret of lager-brewing under his hat. Now he is heading back south, and the journey is no easier. The Duvel is in the detail.
- Michael Jackson

A 750ml bottle shaped like none I’ve seen before (and finished with a cap rather than a cork) signals that Carlsberg is up to something different in its separate Jacobsen brewery. Pours a bright golden with a fluffy white head. First whiff is banana, second is perfumey and juniper, and only with some effort are pleasant hints of pepper found. Palate is much the same, giving way to a surprising back-of-the-throat bitterness. At 7.1%, you can taste why strong blonde beers became popular in Belgium in the 1920s after genievre (gin) was outlawed.
- Stan Hieronymus

Charles Finkel
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Michael Jackson
Author of Ultimate Beer, the Simon & Schuster Guide to Beer and numerous other works on drinks, Jackson has created legions of converts to fine beer.

Stan Hieronymus
Editor at Realbeer.com, a professional journalist for 40 years and amateur brewer for 15, Hieronymus is the author of four beer books, including Brew Like a Monk.

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