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Horny Blonde – Horny Goat Brewing Company

📅 2012-03-07   Horny Goat Brewing Company

Tasted and published in 2012. Recipes and availability change.
Horny Goat Brewing is a relatively new brewery in Wisconsin (2-3 years maybe?). It used to be, and might still be, contract brewed through Stevens Point Brewery. Last spring they opened a brewpub in Milwaukee, The Horny Goat Hideaway, so they may be brewing down in Milwaukee now. I have had a few of their beers in the past and had mixed results from bottle to bottle with some being very poorly handled (light struck and stored at a hot temperature) and others being delicious and refreshing. So, when I recently saw the offer to get a cheesy shirt (Ask me why I’m horny!) with the purchase of a 6-pack, I had a strong desire to pick one up.

                Their website is particularly buggy, so I am unable to confirm it, but I don’t think Horny Goat distributes outside of Wisconsin. However, with the inconsistency between bottles, it might be best to just get this fresh at the brewpub.

Anyways, over at BeerAdvocate the Horny Blonde received a 76 while at ratebeer it has a 94 for style and a 20 overall. Moving on…

They say:
Lagers are an American tradition, and so are blondes. You'll find this pale lager both bright and crisp up front, and perfectly balanced by a hint of German hops on the end.

I say:
Horny Blonde pours a straw color with a thin white head that dissipates very quickly. It has a light malt aroma with fruity esters (apple). Flavor is slightly malty with an apple sweetness and very little in the way of hops. It was moderately carbonated, with a very slight bite, and not at all astringent.

Not a bad beer, but I am not a big fan of light American lagers. However, they are probably onto something here because it is infinitely better than the light lagers out of Miller-Coors or A-B, and in the end if someone prefers light lagers as a style I would much rather see them drinking a local craft brew than the mass produced option. So, if you are a fan of light American lagers and want to try something that is a step above mass market beers, give it a try; you won’t be disappointed!

That’s all for tonight, Happy Drinking!

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What is Horny Blonde?
A pale lager from Horny Goat Brewing Company in Wisconsin: bright and crisp up front, balanced by a hint of German hops on the finish.
Who makes it, and where?
Horny Goat Brewing, a relatively new Wisconsin brewery at the time. It used to be, and might still have been, contract brewed through Stevens Point Brewery, and it had recently opened The Horny Goat Hideaway brewpub in Milwaukee.
How did Horny Blonde score?
BeerAdvocate 76; RateBeer 94 for style and 20 overall.
What does Horny Blonde taste like?
Straw color with a thin white head that dissipates quickly, a light malt aroma with apple esters, and a slightly malty flavor with apple sweetness and very little hop character. Moderately carbonated with a slight bite and no astringency.
Why pick this up at the brewpub?
Because of the inconsistency between bottles, the author suggests it is best to get it fresh at The Horny Goat Hideaway rather than risk a badly handled six-pack.
What came with the 6-pack purchase?
Horny Goat offered a cheesy shirt that read “Ask me why I’m horny!” with the purchase of a six-pack, which is what drew the author in.
How does it compare to mass-produced light lagers?
The author calls it infinitely better than the light lagers out of Miller-Coors or A-B and would rather see people drinking a local craft brew than the mass produced option.

Sources

Editorial note: grammar and clarity of the original 2012 review were lightly corrected in 2026. Facts, opinions, and ratings are the author's own.

More from this brewery: All horny goat brewing company notes · Brownie Porter - Horny Goat Brewing Co. · Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter - Horny Goat Brewing · Black Vanilla IPA – Horny Goat Brewing Co.