Caledonian Golden Promise (Cask)

Brewed by Caledonian (S&N, Heineken)
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Edinburgh, Lothians, Scotland

Cask (handpump) at The Colonies, London SW1. Golden colour (what a surprise0. The aroma is juicy, fruity and floral. However, its on the palate that the problems start. Whilst the flowery hops continue to make an impression, there’s not a lot of bitterness, the mouthfeel is soft and its decidedly sweet. There’s just not enough bite to counter that and, whilst its not a bad beer, it ends up feeling a touch flabby and unfocused. Very different to the bottled version.

Im just goign to write a whole new rating here as the first time i tasted it i must have not been very wise. Aroma is caledonian written all over it with the hopy notes, however theres some sweetness thats not to common. Taste is similar with the sweetness all the way to the finish thouygh not much malt and finishing wetter than what the hops in the aroma would suggest. Im going to keep my score the same, very easy drinking beer, however at 5%, and this is always 5% when on cask in scotland, could be a dangerous session beer.

Cask Conditioned at a Wetherspoons. Golden with lacing head. The pumpclip said 4.9%, Thin bodied malt bitter with a chewey finish. Some sweetness pervades, but a smooth, short finish.

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Golden colour. Flowery and candy-like aroma. Light bodied. Would benefit from a cooler serving temperature than was the case at the IBF. Flavour is moderately hoppy, would no doubt be refreshing if served cooler. As it was, it lacked some "freshness". Dry finish. BTW, it’s organic - "suitable for vegans" = no animals killed for the purpose of brewing this beer. Nice to know before you order your plate of bangers & mash.

Light amber colour with very small head. Not much in the aroma, flavor is mostly sweet and finishes with an ok bitterness.

JDW Rochester. Part of the Wetherspoons Spring Festival. I didn’t like this at all. Couldn’t even finish it. Sweet. Unbalanced. Rancid. Unpleasant. A dreadful beer.