Big thanks go out to lackenhauser. Received as part of The BA Veterans BIF.
Marketed in the USA as “Scottish Session Golden Ale” which seems VERY odd since the word “session” is so abused here. I don’t get it at all.
500 mL bottle, nice label. Best Before Jul 2011 which seems odd given the probable, relative fragility of this beer.
Mixed feelings about this beer.
Firstly I am absolutely delighted that we get a TRUE session beer (<4%), and that it’s called “Session” too. Label says 3.9%. On the other hand I shun the “Golden Ale” part of the name/beer. I’ve always though that the dawn of the English “Golden Ale” is really a reaction to dumbing down the traditional bitter, so in that respect I’m very much against it. Anyway, on to the beer in the glass.
Pour is a golden color with rather a lot of large bubbles present. Not much depth, and the head, retention and lace are not great. It’s a touch thin in the mouth.
The nose has a sweet, malty start but also incorporates a surprisingly organic grassiness in the back end.
A LOT of flavor is packed into this beer, and anyone that thinks lower ABV beers do not have large flavor profiles needs to think again and taste this beer. Having said that, it delivers in an odd way that I don’t necessarily approve of. The beer is shockingly dry when you consider the type of beer it is trying to be. There is a real lack of sweet malts, and it comes across as being quite “hoppy”. Don’t get me wrong, under NO circumstances is this a hop based beer per se, but the organic, dry, hay-like feel is surprising and prominent which takes away from the small malt presence even further.
Reminds me a little of an old-fashioned, “Light Ale”.
Despite the slightly disappointing aspects for me, the beer is still hugely drinkable.