I usually see love and really good recipes ideas for Kolsch, Blonde Ales, or Munich Helles. But i have not seen any love for British Golden Ales. What would be your dream recipe for a British Golden Ale?. This is what the BJCP suggests:
Characteristic Ingredients: Low-color pale or lager malt acting as a blank canvas for the hop character. May use sugar adjuncts, corn or wheat. English hops frequently used, although citrusy American varietals are becoming more common. Somewhat clean-fermenting British yeast.
Style Comparison: More similar to an American Pale Ale than anything else, although it is often lower in alcohol and usually features British ingredients. Has no caramel and fewer esters compared to British bitters and pale ales. Dry as bitters but with less malt character to support the hops, giving a
different balance. Often uses (and features) American hops, more so than most other modern British styles.
I would use Simpsons Golden Promise, maybe the Fullers strain, get a little mineral character in the water, but not too much, and the hops of your choice.
I have had a few, they are good drinkers. Having been to Britain in 2015, I noted ones with British, American, German, NZ and AU hops (I said that on my last BJCP and probably got docked).
1/4 oz Azaca @60
1 oz Amarillo @10
1 oz Mosaic @5
3/4 oz Azaca @0
Dry hop with 1 oz Amarillo & 1 oz Mosaic
WY1056
My target was 1.052 and 28 IBUs, mostly from the late hops, but used the software to
use just enough Azacca @60 to hit 28. Your amt would vary based on the %AA of the hops you acquire.
This style seems to be pretty Americanized… How is this just not a less bitter APA? I would think that a requirement must be at very least an English ale strain?
If I was attempting one, I would also most likely use Golden Promise as the base, maybe some flaked corn for adjunct, and a small amount of light crystal along with a touch of character malt (biscuist, victory, munich, etc).
Maybe a blend of english and american hops, and english yeast.
Otherwise, to me, it becomes pretty much a hoppy american blonde or less bitter APA. Just my 2 cents.
Those were my thoughts exactly. I personally would use all UK ingredients with a mix of UK and American hops. I have been thinking a British Blonde ale in the same vein but lighter on the hops.
These days, a lot of golden ales in British pubs are mid Atlantic in style, with American hops, but if you want to avoid those I’d use Styrian Goldings. The problem with most British hops is that the aroma is subtle and can fade during conditioning, giving you an insipid beer.
Golden ales are weaker than APAs at about 4%, less well carbonated, probably a lot more sulphate in the water, less bitter than APA but more bitter than American blonde. Definitely no crystal or caramel malt - that will give you bitter rather than golden ale. 100% Golden Promise or Maris Otter would work. Yeast a matter of personal preference but not Danstar Nottingham, which is too tart and lagery.
I agree on all of your points. I want to add that some use American hops that are Hallertau Mittelfrüh derivatives, such as Liberty or Mt. Hood. Not over the top American hops can give a hint of citrus, but have lager like aromas.
I haven’t tried that but it sounds good. I quite like the OTT American hops too but without dry hopping, so the flavour is more gentle and allows yeast character to show.
That recipe looks legit specially using Citra. And i agree with all the suggestions like using Hallertau Mittelfrüh derivatives. Would be cool experimenting with a new hop strain like mandarina bavaria.
I am brewing this now.
Changed it a bit, all citra hops, and trying out the Imperial House yeast for the first time, also I don’t have the orange peel.