If you’re asking what type of beer 805 is, the answer is straightforward: it’s a Blonde Ale. Specifically, it’s a remarkably approachable and popular example of the style, brewed by Firestone Walker, known for its clean, crisp, and easy-drinking character.
This clarity matters because 805’s widespread appeal often leads to assumptions or over-complications about its style. But at its core, it embodies the best traits of a Blonde Ale, designed for broad enjoyment rather than niche appeal.
Understanding the Blonde Ale Style
A Blonde Ale, sometimes called a Golden Ale, is typically a light-bodied, easy-drinking beer that serves as an excellent entry point for those new to craft beer, or simply seeking something refreshing and uncomplicated. Key characteristics include:
- Color: Pale to deep gold.
- Aroma: Often subtle, with slight malt sweetness, sometimes a touch of fruitiness from the yeast, and very low hop aroma.
- Flavor: Balanced, with a gentle malt presence and low bitterness. It’s clean and crisp.
- Body: Light to medium, with a smooth mouthfeel.
- ABV: Generally in the 4.0% to 5.5% range. 805 typically sits around 4.7% ABV, fitting perfectly within this.
805 fits this description precisely. It avoids aggressive hop bitterness, heavy malt sweetness, or challenging yeast esters, making it incredibly sessionable and food-friendly.
What 805 Beer Isn’t (and Why People Get it Wrong)
Given its popularity, 805 is sometimes mistaken for other styles. It’s important to clarify what it’s not:
- Not a Lager: While it shares a clean, crisp profile with many lagers, 805 is an ale, meaning it’s brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures. Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures, resulting in an even cleaner, often less complex fermentation profile.
- Not an IPA: India Pale Ales are defined by their pronounced hop character, offering significant bitterness and often intense aromatic notes (citrus, pine, tropical fruit). 805 is intentionally low in bitterness and hop flavor, prioritizing balance and drinkability over hop intensity.
- Not a "Strong Ale": The term "strong ale" is broad, but generally implies a higher ABV (often 6% and up) and a more robust flavor profile. At 4.7% ABV, 805 is firmly in the sessionable, standard-strength category, not a "strong" beer by any common measure.
These misconceptions often arise because 805 aims for widespread appeal, a trait it shares with some mainstream lagers, and it comes from a craft brewery, which many associate primarily with IPAs. However, delving into the full story of its rise and flavor profile reveals Firestone Walker’s clear intention to create an accessible, everyday beer.
The Philosophy Behind 805’s Style Choice
Firestone Walker Brewing Company, based on California’s Central Coast, created 805 as a tribute to its local roots and lifestyle. The goal was to brew a beer that reflected the region’s laid-back, outdoor culture – something refreshing after a surf, a hike, or just a day in the sun. A Blonde Ale was the perfect canvas for this vision:
- It’s universally appealing.
- It’s not overly filling or challenging.
- It pairs well with a variety of foods and social settings.
This deliberate choice of style is precisely why 805 has resonated so widely, becoming a staple far beyond its initial Californian market. Its simplicity is its strength.
Final Verdict: What Type of Beer is 805?
When you ask what type of beer 805 is, the definitive answer is Blonde Ale. While many mainstream lagers share its easy-drinking appeal, 805’s fermentation profile and subtle characteristics firmly place it within the ale family, specifically as a classic Blonde. It is the quintessential approachable craft beer, designed for maximum drinkability. If you want a beer that delivers a clean, balanced, and refreshing experience without any challenging flavors, 805, as a Blonde Ale, is exactly that.