I recently took the plunge into the world of making hoppy beers by creating a Golden Ale recipe. OK, it was really more of a toe dip than a plunge, but the sheer amount of hops I measured out to throw into this beer made me nervous! I discovered that there was really no need to be that nervous once the beer was done, and I feel like it could withstand more hop aroma and flavour and still be a good beer.
Want to try this beer? If you’re going to be at NHC 2016 in Baltimore, come find the AABG booth on club night!
Tasting Notes
Golden ale made with golden naked oats and English hops.
Appearance – As the name would imply, this beer is a golden straw-like colour with a fair amount of haze. The haze is likely due, at least in part, to forgetting whirlfloc combined with the fact that Maris Otter is an unforgiving haze monster.
Aroma – Lightly sweet and a little fruity.
Taste – Matches up to the aroma well, combined with lightly floral and lemony hops. A decent grainy/biscuity undertone from the Maris Otter is also present.
Mouthfeel – For a low mashed beer (150F), this has surprising body but is not overly thick or chewy. I assume that the Golden Naked Oats help out a lot there.
Notes – Overall a nice sessionable beer that will make a regular appearance in my brewing schedule.
Looks delicious! I’ve not had the experience of MO being super hazy. Could it not be the oats with a their protein? Be interested to see if it clears up over a few more weeks. Either way would be keen to have a go at this receipe. Thanks!
This is actually something I’ve noticed with all my MO based beers, though I forgot Whirlfloc on this one and it was particularly bad. I usually have to gelatin my beer to have any hope of them clearing, though they generally so eventually.
I’m wondering if adjusting the pH of my water will help; I just started doing that.