James Squire Golden Ale

G'day folks!

Aussie Beer Man here, I figured USA beer man has been whinging enough, so I will review my favorite Aussie beer thus far. For a little background info, I have been touring Australia for over a month, drinking as many beers as possible. Now, Aussies are known as big beer fans, and for good reason. There is a tradition of high-quality beer dating back generations. "Craft beer" brewing, known as microbrewing in the states, is popular here. Bottle conditioned beer is also common with beers such as Coopers and Murrays. Bottle conditioning is a process where sugar is added to the bottles to induce a second fermentation process within the bottle, as a result the beer is fresher and you get a little residue in the bottom of the bottle, which may seem unappealing but it is rich in vitamin B.

So, lets get on with it. Today's beer is James Squire Golden Ale. Despite my earlier rambling, this beer is not bottle conditioned, however it is certainly a craft beer with a dedication to great taste. To celebrate the launching of this blog, I picked up a slab(24 bottles) from the Woolworth's which was on special for $50 aus, just over $32 US. This is one of the most expensive beers in Australian shops, but it is well worth it.

The pour of this beer is good and bad. The color of the beer is a deep gold. I have heard it described as the "bronze of a Roman legionnaires shield." I don't disagree. The head however, is a little lacking which is my major criticism of this beer. You really have to make an effort to have a good head appear. Surprisingly though, a lacing will appear on a well rinsed glass.

As you go to drink this beer (which after all is what is important) a sweet smell will greet you. Now, I am not usually someone who will rave about the subtle flavors in a beer's smell, but this one really does smell good. A plus in the event that you spill on yourself after a long night out. The flavor of this beer is phenomenal! A sweet honey flavor characterizes this beer, with almost no bitter hoppy aftertaste. Despite, the sweet flavor, you don't forget that you're drinking beer. It is not as though something was added to disguise the flavor. It is amazing what the brewmasters at Malt Shovel Brewery can do with water, hops and barley. They truly live up to their motto "Never forsake flavour."

I give this beer a hearty 6 out of 6! It is worth the extra money, good on tap, from a glass and from a bottle. Despite the head issues, I will drink this beer any time! Top notch work, full on flavor, fair dinkum, no worries! Congratulations to the folks at Malt Shovel Brewery, doing New South Whales proud!