Drafted: A bland blonde
Marissa Utterberg
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: Student Life
I avoid buying beer at Safeway for Drafted simply because WINCO is cheaper. Nevertheless, I was pressed for time this weekend and ran down their beer aisle, expecting nothing. You know how it is when you find a brand new pair of shoes while you're dumpster diving? No? Oh…me neither. Anyway…so I'm checking out the 30 racks and variety packs in Safeway, right? No biggie. Suddenly, I stumble upon Oregon Honey Beer in the MacTarnahan's variety pack! So many people have told me to try this beer, but it is no longer in production and can be difficult to find. I wanted to buy two 12-packs…until I realized they were $15 a case. I got my four OHBs (plus eight more Macs for my trouble) and went on my merry way.
For all the praise I had heard for this beer, I was a bit disappointed. The aroma was sweet and flowery, but demure. I took a sip; my mouth went tingly. A rush of bubbles on the tongue is fun, but not tasty. I resolved to froth it into a pint glass to liberate some of its overcarbonated fury. After that it was a very quick drink - smooth yet forgettable. The hint of sweet from the honey is not so remarkable as to set it apart from any other blonde. Pair it with anything you would take on a summer picnic: watermelon, French bread, barbecued chicken. Try not to pack a sauce with any punch or zing.
On a distance scale from my computer (1) to its antipode (somewhere between Madagascar and Antarctica being 10), I give this beer about a Bafoussam, Cameroon (6.35). In 1995 it received a silver medal in the Blonde Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival. Perhaps micros have evolved beyond the scope of this brew over the last decade and a half. A rep at Mac's told me it is discontinued, so it seems like even the brewers are over it. Buy it for the scarcity of it if you'd like, but I'll pass. At least my variety pack still has Blackwatch (a cream porter that goes great with grilled sandwiches) and Mac's amber.
For all the praise I had heard for this beer, I was a bit disappointed. The aroma was sweet and flowery, but demure. I took a sip; my mouth went tingly. A rush of bubbles on the tongue is fun, but not tasty. I resolved to froth it into a pint glass to liberate some of its overcarbonated fury. After that it was a very quick drink - smooth yet forgettable. The hint of sweet from the honey is not so remarkable as to set it apart from any other blonde. Pair it with anything you would take on a summer picnic: watermelon, French bread, barbecued chicken. Try not to pack a sauce with any punch or zing.
On a distance scale from my computer (1) to its antipode (somewhere between Madagascar and Antarctica being 10), I give this beer about a Bafoussam, Cameroon (6.35). In 1995 it received a silver medal in the Blonde Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival. Perhaps micros have evolved beyond the scope of this brew over the last decade and a half. A rep at Mac's told me it is discontinued, so it seems like even the brewers are over it. Buy it for the scarcity of it if you'd like, but I'll pass. At least my variety pack still has Blackwatch (a cream porter that goes great with grilled sandwiches) and Mac's amber.
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