Summer is reaching well into October here on the south coast so for a Sunday treat I thought I'd stick with the warm-weather ales, and it's the turn of Exmoor Gold.Gold is brewed by Exmoor Ales from their Golden Hill brewery in Somerset.
The classily designed stag-motif label describes the drink as a "single malt" beer, something of a revolution when first brewed 24 years ago. It bucked the then trend by being the colour of a golden lager or deep chardonnay. It was initially brewed as a limited edition, but proved so popular it became a permanent fixture.
It pours with a beautiful golden hue, and the lager-like streams of bubbles can be seen in the picture. The head is snow-white, frothy and persistent. The nose is a grassy basket of hops with a rub of caramel malt. The taste is sweet and light, although at a robust 5% ABV is a little deceptive in strength.
Just one type of pale malt is used, and the hops are a mix of Fuggles, Goldings and Challenger. The centre note is freshly fruity, and the aftertaste has a weave of citrus and vanilla.
This is a rich and rewarding golden ale, beautifully made and balanced. Supping conjures images of picnics and lazy chats on the veranda, it's a sumptuous drink to unwind with.
8/10 - Excellent, rewarding gold ale,. Only a fractionally over-lengthy bitterness in the aftertaste keeps it from a chalking a Bunker Grade 9.
- The Broadside
