Wheat-Free Refreshment: 805 Beer's Unique Blend

805 Beer, a blonde ale from California's Central Coast, has gained popularity for its refreshing taste and easy drinkability. With an ABV of 4.5%, it is considered a moderately strong beer. While the official recipe is kept secret, it is known that the beer is crafted with hops, malt, water, and yeast. Some sources suggest that wheat malt is added to complement the pale malts used in blonde ales. This addition of wheat contributes to the beer's light and crisp characteristics, making it a versatile choice for food pairings. The unique flavor profile of 805 Beer, including notes of citrus and lime, has captured the interest of beer enthusiasts, leading to its growing popularity beyond its California roots.

805 Beer is a blonde ale

The beer's recipe is a closely guarded secret by its creators, Firestone Walker Brewing. However, it is known that it is made from four key ingredients: hops, malt, water, and yeast. The hops contribute to the beer's noticeable citric and floral flavors, while the malt provides a bready, sweet taste. The beer starts off with moderate sweetness and finishes dry, with a subtle bitterness that does not linger.

The 805 Beer has a light gold color, a thick creamy head, and impressive head retention and beer lacing. It is an ideal beverage to pair with food, especially contrasting flavors such as barbecue and steak, or complementary flavors like salads and fish. The beer's light body and refreshing taste make it a perfect match for spicy and dry foods, acting as a palate cleanser.

The popularity of 805 Beer can be attributed to its great taste, visual appeal, and refreshing character. Its name, derived from the area code of California's central coast, also played a significant role in its success, resonating with local residents. By 2022, 805 Beer had become the 12th best-selling off-premises craft beer brand in America, and its popularity continues to grow.

It's made with wheat malt

805 Beer is a blonde ale, a type of beer that typically uses pale malts as its base. While the exact ingredients in 805 Beer are kept secret, it's likely that wheat malt is used as a complement to the pale malts. This is because wheat malt is commonly added to blonde ales to enhance their golden colour and contribute to a well-rounded flavour profile.

Wheat malt is known for imparting a smooth, sweet, and bready character to beer. It adds a touch of fullness and creaminess to the body, making the beer more approachable and easy to drink. This is especially desirable in blonde ales, which are often sought after for their refreshing and thirst-quenching qualities.

In the case of 805 Beer, the use of wheat malt (if it is indeed an ingredient) likely contributes to its characteristic bready maltiness and smooth, crisp finish. It may also play a role in the beer's impressive head retention and beer lacing. Wheat malt can enhance the foam stability and create a more persistent head, adding to the overall sensory experience of the beer.

Additionally, wheat malt can accentuate the citrus and floral notes that are commonly found in blonde ales, including 805 Beer. The interplay between the wheat malt and the hops can create a complex and well-balanced flavour profile that is both refreshing and intriguing.

While the presence of wheat malt in 805 Beer cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty, it is a likely ingredient given the style of the beer and the role that wheat malt typically plays in blonde ales. The addition of wheat malt would be consistent with the beer's overall character and the sensory attributes it is known for.

It has a citrusy, refreshing taste

805 Beer is a refreshing, light blonde ale with a unique flavour profile. It has a citrusy twist, with notes of lime, lemon and orange esters, adding a refreshing zing to the beer. The beer also has a subtle malt sweetness, with a bready taste, and a hint of floral hops. The citrus notes are particularly prominent in the aroma, with a sweet and clean fragrance, and a faint hint of bananas and pears.

The beer is described as having a crisp, refreshing taste, with moderate sweetness and a dry finish. The light body and moderate ABV of 4.5-4.7% make it an easy-drinking beer, perfect for a hot day or for pairing with spicy foods. The citrusy notes and moderate strength make it a versatile beer, ideal for those seeking a well-rounded, everyday drink.

The citrusy, refreshing taste of 805 Beer is a key part of its appeal, setting it apart from other beers and contributing to its popularity. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a light, flavourful beer with a unique twist. The beer's crisp, refreshing character and easy drinkability make it a perfect choice for a hot day or for enjoying with friends around a fire pit.

The citrus and floral notes in 805 Beer are created through the use of specific hops and malts. The beer's citric and floral hop flavours are achieved through the use of Willamette hops, which have a spicy, woody and grassy aroma. The malt-focused beer uses pale malts as its base, with the addition of wheat malt and Crystal malt to complement the pale malts and add to the bready taste characteristics.

It's best served cold

805 beer is a refreshing blonde ale with a unique blend of fruity flavours. It is best served cold, straight from an ice-cold can or bottle. This is because the first thing that hits you when you open an 805 beer is its sweet and clean aroma, which is punctuated by floral and citrus hops. Serving it cold enhances this experience.

The ideal glassware for 805 beer is a tulip or pilsner glass. The beer's light gold colour, crystal clarity, and thick creamy head are all showcased beautifully in these glasses. The impressive head retention and beer lacing of 805 beer also add to the overall sensory experience when served cold.

The crisp and refreshing taste of 805 beer is best enjoyed chilled. Its moderate sweetness and dry finish with a hint of bitterness are perfectly balanced and make it an easy-drinking beer. The light body and carbonation of 805 beer are accentuated when served cold, making it the perfect beverage to quench your thirst on a hot day.

In addition to enhancing the flavour and sensory experience, serving 805 beer cold also improves its drinkability. A cold beer is simply more refreshing and satisfying, especially in warm weather. This is why 805 beer, with its crisp and refreshing taste, is best served straight from the fridge or cooler.

So, if you're looking to enjoy a glass of 805 beer, make sure to serve it cold to get the full experience of this award-winning blonde ale.

It's a versatile food companion

805 beer is a versatile food companion. Its light and refreshing nature makes it a great pairing for many dishes.

For those who enjoy a barbeque, 805 beer is a perfect match. Its crisp and refreshing taste will cut through the strong flavours of the meat, providing a well-balanced dining experience. Similarly, 805 beer is an excellent choice to accompany a steak. The bitterness of the hops and lemon in the beer will soften the fattiness of the meat, while the malty notes of the beer will complement the delicious flavours of the steak.

For those who prefer a lighter meal, 805 beer is also a great choice. Its mild flavour pairs well with salads and fish, especially sushi. The fruity notes of the beer complement the sourness of the egg and ocean flavours in sushi, without leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

In addition, 805 beer is a great palate cleanser for spicy foods. It will cool the mouth and prepare it for the next bite. The beer also pairs well with crunchy, dry foods, quenching your thirst and cutting through the dryness.

The versatility of 805 beer as a food companion is a testament to its well-balanced flavour profile and refreshing nature. It is a great choice for any meal, whether you're enjoying a hearty steak or a light and healthy salad.

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