Swale Kentish Gold

Formerly brewed at Whitstable
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Maidstone, England

Date: 11/07/1997
Source: Brewfest, Real Ale Festival

light amber, nice hop aroma with sweet malt, solid hop flavor on top of a good malt base (single hop)

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Score: **4
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I bought this from the Bexley speciality beer shop Cork and Cask. It looks like the place is in need of some support - the shelves were mostly empty, and the range was limited; but the chap behind the counter was very friendly and knowledgable. The Swale Brewery Company who make Kentish Gold, claim that they are the only brewery in Kent to make bottle conditioned beers. I feel I had this too young - there was still a year to run on the best before date, and the beer had a very vigorous carbonation. It smelled like beer, it kinda looked like beer, and it tasted like beer. Little more to be said. A very run of the mill beer. Outstandingly average in all respects. Re-rate: Still average, still fizzy. Good fruity nose. Cork and Cask has now closed down.

I am submitting this review because I wanted to convey my enjoyment of this beer. But, I should note, that I haven’t actually tasted it in two years. I had Kent Gold while visiting Canterbury, U.K., in the fall of 1999. This easy-drinking beer quickly became my favorite ’new find’ during my entire trip to Britain. It’s a hazy straw-yellow in color. Spicey and complex for such a light beer, with some citrus noticable. A delicate head which laced the glass. Very thirst quenching (one of the few CO2 beers I enjoyed while in the country). I could not, categorize this beer into any particular style. It was slightly reminiscent of a saison, but I know that this wasn’t the style. I wish that the Swale brewery would send this beer over the Atlantic.