James Squire Golden Ale
Described as an English style summer beer, the Malt Shovel brewery website claims it has the flavour of an ale with the drinkability of a lager. It was originally brewed as a summer only release but has instead become part of the regular line up. Toasted grains give this beer its golden colour.
Origin: Sydney, Australia
Alcohol/vol: 4.5%
Style: Ale
Average Rating: 6.75
Every chance you’ll enjoy
Craig’s tasting
It was this beer that made me feel like a genuine amber analyst. It’s sweet aroma and beautiful colour make this beer a brew that touches all your important places and appeals to all your senses.
This beer is described as a “Summer beer” in an “English style”. I am proud to say I have had the pleasure of being in England during summer. I distinctly remember a scorching 21 degree day. It was so hot I had no choice but to get to the nearest pub I could find. Unfortunately for me, the beer they pumped out of humid depths of their centuries old cellar was chilled to a balmy 10 degrees. As I sat and swallowed each warm and brutal fluid ounce of that pint, I began to hate all things English.
Good thing this beer is not English at all. To start with it is best drank cold. It is close enough to an Australian lager to make it palatable. Its tastes good although its not a world beater. I will be going back for more one day.
Danny’s tasting
It's about time we got around to a James Squire brew. Their range is becoming quite extensive and is gathering a large following.
As the name suggests the Golden Ale is a golden honey colour with a sweet honeyed aroma. It does run the risk of being too sweet though and you'd be hard pressed to sit down and drink any meaningful quantity of it. Go on I dare you. I'd suggest trying it first beer up, as you'd like it less later in the evening and you'd be doing it a disservice at the same time.
I have to applaud James Squire for attempting something different and the Golden Ale is that.
What I do want to say though, and I'm getting up on my soap box here (or keg as it happens) is, why is there a fascination with packaging new beers in anything less than 375ml stubbies nowadays?. This brew and others, comes in at 345ml which is I believe an attempt to replicate the 330 - 345ml offerings of overseas beers. Instead of doing that, why not copy our friends the Germans and brew them in 0.5ltr cans. Can I get an AMEN brothers?
If the Golden Ale is the first beer you have in the evening (or morning, for our friends who just can't help it) I'd say it was as high as a 7.5 but if you have it after any other beers (with the exception of a Becks) it drops to a 6.5.
Anyway you be the judge (no I'll be the judge, get your own website)
