BJCP 2021 / 12A
British Golden Ale
A bright, hoppy golden ale that drinks like a pale lager with more hop.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- pale color
- top fermented
- british isles
Serve: 46 to 52F, Nonic pint
OG1.120
1.038 to 1.053FG1.030
1.006 to 1.012IBU120
20 to 45SRM40
2 to 5ABV14%
3.8 to 5.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Citrus and floral hop
- Light biscuit or bread malt
- Faint fruit
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Citrus hop and light malt
- Best
- Moderate citrus and floral hop aroma over light biscuit malt, faint fruity ester
Appearance
3 pts- Pale yellow to gold
- Bright to brilliant
- White head
- Vague
- Gold
- Better
- Pale gold and bright
- Best
- Pale gold, bright to brilliant, white head of moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Light biscuit or bread malt
- Citrusy, floral hop flavor
- Dry bitter finish
- Vague
- Crisp
- Better
- Light malt, citrus hop, dry finish
- Best
- Low biscuit malt, moderate citrus and floral hop flavor, moderate bitterness, dry crisp finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Light to medium-light body
- Medium carbonation
- Crisp
- Vague
- Light
- Better
- Light, crisp and fizzy
- Best
- Light body, medium carbonation, crisp and refreshing
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Hop freshness
- Dryness
Drops it
- Sweetness
- Roast
- Heavy caramel
Writing tip
Tie hop to fruit. Example: 'Citrusy hop over light biscuit, dry finish. Crisp and refreshing.'
Pour these
- Summer LightningHop Back BreweryFloral and citrus, the pioneer of the style
- Brewers GoldCrouch Vale BreweryCitrus hop with a dry finish
Often confused with
- 18A Blonde AleBlonde Ale is sweeter and has less hop
- 11A Ordinary BitterOrdinary Bitter is darker and maltier
Fine here
- Estery: A faint fruitiness is fine
Ruinous here
- Oxidized: Dulls the hop
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Grassy: Old hop
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.