ALE WORTH ITS WEIGHT
If you’re bored with pale imitations, give a golden ale a go – it’s a thirst quencher with real flavour
MY fondness for pale ales has substantially subsided as increasing numbers swamp the bottle shops.
Perhaps the “novelty” of pales and the desire by brewers to impress with the amount of hop flavour they can pack in a bottle has me craving something different.
Thankfully I found Grand Ridge Solar Golden Ale, an
interesting drop from Victoria that hits the mark in many ways. The first is that it’s not a pale ale, IPA or “summer ale” and secondly it doesn’t come with any gimmicks.
While claiming substantial amounts of wheat to enhance its flavour, I find this golden ale far more subtle.
It has a light, cloudy, golden appearance with a deliciously thick white head.
The initial aroma suggests a sweetness, which slowly gives way to a blend of hops and malt with just a hint of wheat.
Wheat beers can be an acquired taste but the dry hopping process of brewing, I think, takes a bit of the “earthiness” out of the beer.
There’s plenty of body with the initial mouthful and, while you may detect some fruitiness, it makes for a smooth richness
and cleansing aftertaste.
Solar Golden Ale has good depth and a flavour that lingers, making it very more-ish with strong sessionability.
It is 4.3 per cent so rates as a full-strength beer. Being a golden ale, it is a touch heavier than most mainstream beers, but it doesn’t make you feel bloated after a few.
It would go well with roast lamb or even some pork belly.
Grand Ridge Brewery in Victoria’s Gippsland prides itself on delivering beers brewed without the addition of any preservatives, chemicals or added sugars.
“IT WOULD GO WELL WITH ROAST LAMB OR EVEN SOME PORK BELLY.”