Pete just got a facelift. More correctly, his beers have received one, with new labels and cartons and in some cases a revamped formula. Pete’s Wicked Strawberry Blonde, the second most popular Pete’s brew after the flagship Wicked Ale, is now packaged in longneck bottles with 1930s-style artwork on the label. The art features a woman with flowing strawberry blonde locks flowing in all directions. It’s one of those annoying portraits that have you convinced she’s looking at you no matter how you turn the bottle.

The beer is extremely popular with women, and has recently been released in twelve packs in order that they might drink even more of it. I find it to be a refreshing summer brew, although it is available throughout the year. Being a fruit beer, there is a bit of aversion to the brew from some beer enthusiasts, but I hold no such prejudice.

Pete’s Wicked Strawberry Blonde pours to a light golden color with a thick creamy head formation and a very fruity strawberry nose. The palate is light and malty, crisp and cereal-like with a definite strawberry flavor that works with the maltiness but does not overpower it. The beer reminds me of Captain Crunch Crunch Berries cereal, which is not surprising since many breakfast cereals are made with malt as an ingredient for flavor and sweetness. There is a balancing hop finish provided by Clusters and Tettnangs that prevents this from being a malt cooler.

Malt coolers in various forms seem to be all the rage these days, be they fermented lemonades, colas, or orange flavored brews. Originally made with wine (remember Bartles and James?), they are still referred to by many as wine coolers even though they are really beers these days. That’s because they’re made with unhopped beer and natural and artificial fruit flavors. Fruit merely replaces hops as the seasoning in these beverages, and makes them close relatives of fruit beers like Strawberry Blonde.

This would be an excellent beer with strawberry shortcake, indeed in some ways it is reminiscent of that desert.


Recommended: Yes