Crouch Vale Brewers Gold Extra

Cask conditioned at the Three Judges, Glasgow. Bloody good. Light gold with a thin head, the taste was all citrus and hop, with a fruity aftertaste. Alcohol concealed well as I am now finding to my dismay, there’s no way that was a 5.2% beer.

Cask conditioned, at The Yarborough Hunt in Brigg, February 2007. Straw gold, moderate lasting white head and good fine prickle of condition. Pleasant citrusy hop resin and gentle sweet malt in the nose, solidly hoppy in the mouth with hop oil and lemony citrus notes with some pine resin and fruit malt, long lingering hop bitter finish with dry chalky yeastiness and a touch more lemon citrus.

Cask at the Pride of Spitalfields, London. Glorious pint. Very fresh and light fruit. Hops abound. Lovely aftertaste that leaves you wanting another.

A Mes rate: Cask at The Grapevine. Wow. Stands out clearly against almost anything else even remotely linked to this style. Wonderful crisp fresh hop aroma with a creamy malt hint and plenty of grape. Gold is the perfect name for this. Without doubt the most golden beer I have seen. In the mouth the hops are obviously up front but there is plenty more. Bags of lemon and grapefruit but it is really nicely balanced by some sugary malt. Bitter finish that turns gradually creamy and it has awesome length for the style. Slips down amazingly well. Palate is simply excellent. Quite simply a top class beer that will kick the ass of pretty much anything of a similar style.

Cask, Derby Fest 06. Hazy gold with a white head. Aromas are toffee malts with spicy pine. Sweet addictive hops with mellow lemon, biscuit and some floral notes. Flavours are grassy and hoppy with peach friutiness. Fruity and syrupy with spicy pine hops to follow. Quite viscous on the palate. Not the longest of aftertastes but still extremely good.

Cask Handpump at the Assembly Rooms, Derby 07/07/2006 Fruit and hop aromas. Golden coloured very hoppy and grapefruit flavour. Some dryness in a crisp and creamy bitter finish.

Cask@Derby Summer Beer Festival 2006. Syrupy looking golden beer with a strong white head. The aroma is concentrated citrus fruits and the flavour is strongly fruity, syrupy and deeply dry with an aniseed finish. Overall a reasonable beer, but the thought of it is better than the drinking.

When i knew this was on the rack for the beer fest we are having this weekend i knew that it was going to be the first rate, wanting to see what all the hype was about. Although i had a pretty busy night on the old barbeque i did manage to squeeze this one in, it had to be done! Worth the wait as well! A golden coloured beer with a slightly green tint, hazy with a weak white head. A strong citrusy hop nose of grapefruits and lemons, then a sweetish malty aroma. A dry, hoppy taste of citrusy grapefruits and lemons, then there is a biscuity malt flavour to balance in the finish. (Cask - @ The Fox & Hounds Summer Beer Festival 2006, Heacham, Norfolk).