Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

American Golden Ale

These brews are golden to light copper in color with a more subtle overall character and lighter body than typical pale ales. English ale fruitiness will probably not be observed. However, the most important qualification is that they are brewed domestically and will have less body and hop and malt character than a pale ale from the same brewery.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

89 Pike Naughty Nellie Ale, Pike Brewing Co. (WA). 4.7% ABV (3/10)
Golden amber color. Bright aromas of peach butter and orange marmalade on sourdough toast follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with nice creamy citrus soufflé, toasty bread crust and roasted nut notes. Finishes with a long, citrus peel and pinecone-accented fade. A smooth, flavorful beer.

89 NE Blonde Ale, Nebraska Brewing Co. (NE). 5% ABV (3/10)
Pre-golden yellow color. Aromas of fresh baked brioche, lemon crème fraîche and faint oil follow through on a very soft, smooth entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a creamy peach-orange chiffon note. Finishes with a buttered toast, tangy citrusy hop and mossy earth-accented fade. Very true to style a quite food friendly.

88 Cascade Ale, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 4.5% ABV (3/10)
Lightly hazy golden amber color. Aromas of apricot yogurt and toasted sourdough bread follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry light-to-medium body with toasty bread notes coming to the fore. Finishes with a nice interplay of slightly sour, grilled lemon rind and grassy earth notes.

88 Double D Blonde, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5% ABV (3/10)
Rich old gold color. Bright crusty toast, orange marmalade and peach butter aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with excellent smoothness and balance. Finishes with a long interplay of toasty baguette, citrus peel and earthy hops. A very nice, hoppier take on the golden ale style that will go great with food.

88 Alamo Golden Ale, Alamo Beer Co. (TX). 5.1% ABV (3/11)
Golden yellow color. Toasted nut bread, star fruit and crusty corn pudding aromas with a silky dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, buttered lemon scone and light earthy, grassy hop finish. Very refreshing and balanced.

87 Sum’r Organic Summer Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (9/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of roasted corn husk and baked lemon. Crisp and round with a dryish medium body and zippy grassy earth finish.

84 Celts Golden Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (3/11)
Deep old gold color. Bold aromas of grilled romaine, oily nut butter and fried root vegetable chips with a round, chewy dryish medium body and a savory and vegetal cauliflower purée, kettle corn and mushroom quesadilla finish with lettuce- and okra-like hops. Different and interesting.

83 Monumental Blonde Golden Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5%ABV (2/09)
Brilliant light golden color. Aromas of earthy carrot, turnip and wet-grain husk follow through on a round entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with grilled apple and orange notes. Finishes with an astringent veggie, mossy- and tin-accented fade.

81 Rahr’s Blonde, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 4.9% ABV (3/11)
Bright golden yellow color. Aromas of toasted polenta and chicken potpie with a crisp, dryish light body and a smooth, toasted nut bread, turnip, corn-pea soup and arugula-like hop finish.

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