Alphabet City Brewing Company - Easy Blonde

Easy Blonde is inspired by kölsch, a German beer style hailing from Köln (Colonge) that, despite classification as an ale, is cold-conditioned like a lager for an overall cleanness and a crisp finish. Like many blonde/golden ales, the recipe and brewing procedure is a challenge to perfect as any flaws are readily apparent, unable to hide behind a ton of bold, complex flavors. On the pour, Easy Blonde offers a golden straw color capped with a bright white head of foam. Though inspired by kölsch, Alphabet City has chosen to employ American Crystal hops, which offer a nicely assertive character. Crystal hops are known for some spiciness, and we certainly picked up on that note in the aroma, which the label describes as white pepper – and we think it’s an apt descriptor. Look for that spicy tone to invoke a mild impression of coriander as it melds with a noticeable kiss of citrus zest. We found these herbal, spicy, and citric notes opened up even more as the brew warmed in the glass. The aromas transfer to the flavor profile too, where a satisfying core of pale malt finds itself nicely balanced by the spicy hops and carbonation. A very food-friendly brew, Easy Blonde should pair well with spicy sausages, aged cheeses, pizza, or Asian shrimp skewers. Cheers!

Alphabet City Brewing Company is the brainchild of co-founders Jason Yarusi and Jeffrey Simón. Both men moved to New York in 2001 and met while working as bartenders at The Frying Pan, a former floating lighthouse which now serves as a floating bar at Manhattan’s Hudson River Park, where they worked for almost a decade. During this time, the duo became roommates, sharing an apartment in the Alphabet City neighborhood of the East Village. While considering going into business together, perhaps by starting up their own bar, they began homebrewing in their kitchen after receiving a kit as a gift. What a fateful move that turned out to be. With a mutual love for beer and brewing, it was a natural step for them to launch a new NYC-based brewing company.

Jason and Jeffrey focused their attention on creating and perfecting a recipe for kölsch, a German style of blonde ale. Their goal was to craft a food-friendly beer which people would love to drink with a meal or on its own – and in large amounts. In 2012 the pair, and their beer, was ready; they launched Alphabet City Brewing Company with Easy Blonde as their flagship, cornerstone product. Leveraging their extensive experience in NYC’s hospitality industry, they were able to build and grow personal relationships with local bars and restaurants. Now, in 2017, in addition to Easy Blonde, Alphabet City offers a dry stout as well as an IPA. For more info, visit their website at www.acbnyc.com.