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Fonio Blonde Ale

Russian River Brewing Company
United States·Blonde Ale
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Light-bodied and brewed with ancient African regenerative grains, with notes of fruit, grape juice and lychee imparted by fonio. This drought-resistant grain has been around for over 5,000 years, grows in nutrient-poor soil without fertilizers and pesticides, and is a vital source of income for small West African farms.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitycleanmalty
fruity
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with fruit-forward character: stone fruit, ripe grape juice, and subtle lychee notes dominate, likely derived from the fonio grain's unique composition.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fonio Blonde Ale

◎ Appearance

Fonio Blonde Ale presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head forms with moderate density and exhibits stable Schaumhaftung, gradually settling into a fine lace. Fine carbonation animates the body with persistent, delicate effervescence.

pale goldenbright claritystable head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fruit-forward character: stone fruit, ripe grape juice, and subtle lychee notes dominate, likely derived from the fonio grain's unique composition. Light floral undertones emerge beneath the fruit, with clean, dry malt in the background and minimal hop aromatics—a restrained, focused profile that favors the grain's heritage.

stone fruit, grapelychee notesdry malt base

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and light-bodied, with subtle fruity sweetness and a clean malt foundation. Mid-palate maintains brightness without heaviness; grape and lychee notes carry through softly, supported by gentle sweetness. Low bitterness (15 IBU) ensures the fruit character remains unobstructed, finishing dry and refreshing.

crisp, light bodyfruit-forward maltlow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and refreshing, with lingering fruit notes fading cleanly. Aftertaste remains smooth and free of astringency, inviting another sip.

dry, cleanrefreshing exit
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Fonio Blonde Ale

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About Blonde Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Blonde Ale?

Blonde Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Blonde Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, light, crisp character as Fonio Blonde Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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