hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Villacher Special Blonde

Tap to rate

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
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Austrian Beer Challenge
Europäische Ales
★Gold — Austrian Beer Challenge (Europäische Ales)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
clovebananaclean
clove
banana
clean
fruity
wheat
bready
Aroma
The nose is driven by classic wheat beer yeast character: ripe banana and clove notes sit prominently over a soft, doughy malt foundation.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

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
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Villacher Special Blonde

More from Villacher Stadtbrauerei

Villacher Draustadt
Villacher Draustadt
Amber Lager
4.9%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Villacher Freilich
Villacher Freilich
Alcohol-Free Lager
0.0%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Villacher Glockner Pils
Villacher Glockner Pils
Pale Lager
4.9%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Villacher Keller Dunkles
Villacher Kirchtags Märzen
Villacher Kirchtags Märzen
Kellerbier
4.7%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Villacher Märzen
Villacher Märzen
Helles Lager
5.0%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

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.

Compare with another beer →