This week’s NA craft brew comes to us from Anaheim, California, and Bravus Brewing Co. Bravus has been in the non-alcoholic craft beer game for longer than others. However, they are still in their infancy, celebrating six years since their 2015 founding by Philip Brendes.
Bravus Blonde
This week’s beer is Bravus Blonde. It is a light and refreshing beer with hints of banana and sweet malt. While this is a new beer to the Bravus collection, it is reminiscent of their White Ale, a beer with a similar palate currently not listed on their site, though I imagine we’ll see it again closer to autumn.
The Bravus Blonde cracks open with the typical crisp sound of a can’s pull tab fulfilling its destiny. It pours well, creating a solid white head on the top of the straw yellow beer in the glass. My can’s “best by” date wasn’t until November of 2021, but a large amount of sediment was floating around in the glass. Sediment is normal for many beers, and many blonde/white ales come with a certain cloudiness, but this seemed a bit out of sorts.
That’s B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
The aroma off the top was malty and sweet, though I didn’t get much of the banana that many other drinkers have reported. On first taste, the overabundant flavor is that of malt. That malty taste falls more in the roasted category than the sweet category, in my opinion. Again, I was expecting some banana, a flavor that can quickly go from subtle to overpowering, but I didn’t get it. A bit of a distinct Belgian tinge sat in the back corner of my mouth, which is a common occurrence for me with Bravus’ flagship beers.
Overall, I don’t know if this is one I will be ordering again (at least not on its own. Wait for next week’s review for a fun explanation). Untappd users rate this beer a 2.46/5, with many users commenting on its banana flavor, which, again, I didn’t get too much of. A bit of a citrus kick with a slight sweetness could go a long way, so grab a juicy orange slice and see what you think. As always, I encourage you to try it for yourself and see what you think. Comment below on your own reviews and check out my video review!
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