[bbt95762]

Brewing a blonde ale this weekend...but I have two yeasts from previous batches - WLP090 (San Diego Super) and WLP002 (English Ale).  Thinking I'll go with the English Ale - thoughts?

[Steve Ruch]

Split the batch and do half with each.

[brewinhard]

I frequently use the Thames River Valley strain in my blonde ales and they come out fantastic with a quick turnaround. So, +1 to the English Ale yeast.

[Robert]

i like to use the English yeast in my blondes. i think it leaves a little more body for a beer that is kinda one dimensional. i usually use a repitch of S-04 

[santoch]

I think it depends on how you are going to hop it.
If you are going more traditional with more noble-type hops, then I'd go with the English ale yeast.
If you are going with the current trend of citrusy blonde ales, then the San Diego yeast might be a better fit.

But, I also like Steve's suggestion of splitting the batch and trying both.  Split batch yeast experiments almost always demonstrate how much of the flavor of a beer is yeast derived.  In my experience, it always ends up a lot more distinct than I'd first imagine.

[Philbrew]

So, this thread gave me an excuse to sample the blonde ale that I kegged a week ago.  I just carb at serving pressure and let it carb up slowly.  It was still a little young but delicious.  I fermented with Lallemand Knottingham yeast.  It was lightly hopped with American hops (CTZ and cascade).  Clean, crisp finish with a nice hint of character.  Excellent hot weather beer (I sampled yesterday afternoon when it was 96F here).

Back in February I think it was Dave Taylor that suggested Knotty for an Irish red ale that I was brewing.  Thank you Dave!  The beer turned out eminently quaffable (perhaps TOO quaffable as my wife would raise an eyebrow and suggest on a few mornings-after). 

I will pass along Dave's suggestion of Knotty to ferment these types of beers.