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Villacher Special Blonde

Villacher Stadtbrauerei
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🌍 Austria · Blonde Ale · One of 36 Blonde Ales in hopIQ

Special Blonde is a pale, top-fermented ale from the new Villach city brewery, brewed from barley and wheat malt to 12.9 degrees Plato. It pours bright blond under a fine-bubbled head. The yeast drives the aroma: ripe banana and clove sit over soft bread and a lively fruitiness, while the wheat gives a full, rounded body. A brisk carbonation keeps the palate fresh, and the finish is harmonious and clean.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Mild
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden8

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Austrian Beer Challenge
Europäische Ales
Gold — Austrian Beer Challenge (Europäische Ales)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Blonde Ale.
Malt character
wheat
bready
Fermentation & yeast
banana
clove
clean
fruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Villacher Special Blonde

Appearance

Bright pale golden colour with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head. The carbonation is lively and even, creating a delicate bead that rises steadily through the glass. Head retention is good, with fine lacing clinging to the sides.

bright goldenfine white headwell-carbonatedclean clarity

Aroma

The nose is driven by classic wheat beer yeast character: ripe banana and clove notes sit prominently over a soft, doughy malt foundation. Behind these esters lies a gentle fruitiness and faint bread crust, with the wheat contributing a subtle grain sweetness that rounds out the overall profile.

banana, clovefruity esterswheat, doughy maltsoft grain sweetness

Taste

The palate opens with a rounded, full body fed by the wheat malt, delivering a smooth entry with prominent banana and spice notes that echo the nose. A brisk carbonation keeps the mid-palate fresh and lively, while the finish remains clean and harmonious with minimal bitterness. The wheat contributes a satisfying grip that prevents the beer from becoming thin or one-dimensional.

full-bodied, roundedbanana, clove spicecrisp, refreshingclean finish

Finish

The finish is short to medium and exceptionally clean, with the carbonation and wheat malt's natural dryness combining to leave a pleasant, dry sensation. No lingering harshness or off-flavours; the aftertaste remains gently fruity and slightly spiced.

clean, dryshort finishgently fruity
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Villacher Special Blonde

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Villacher Special Blonde

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 clove, full-bodied, banana character as Villacher Special Blonde will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Blonde Ales in hopIQ

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