Copper Canyon Northwestern Gold
Copper Canyon Brewery

 

 

Their Northwest Gold is really a pretty standard training wheels light ale. It has a very light body, accompanied with a mild noble hoppy bite. It's very clean and very high in carbonation. With its light blonde, straw color, it was every bit the imitation "macro" offering for people who don't like beer. With that in mind, it's clean, crisp and surprisingly not a bad effort.

My favorite from Copper Canyon. Presented a golden orange color with a nice head of off white foam. Medium to medium low level of carbonation. Aromas of fresh medium bodied malts, flowery hops and wet grain filled the nose. Taste was very lager-ish, but had some Blonde Ale qualities to it. A sweet malty flavor is quickly observed, followed by a dry bready and grain character. Hints of dry hops are also noted. Mouthfeel was medium to medium light bodied and was rather pleasing. Drinkability was above average. I'd have this again.

The fact that a bee flew into this sample, walked down the wall of the tumbler and sniffed at the yellow liquid confirmed that this smelled sweet. It delivered a very sweet attack approximating the flavor of Jordan Almonds. A sweet, slick texture was supported by pistachio-shell bitterness and flinty, noble, raw grains. Freshly milled, under-roasted peanut butter lurks in the depths of the odd, nice, sweet finish. Don't get the wrong impression -- this is meant to be a dry lager; the mineral, straw-flavored bitterness almost makes it one. This is a biggish take on North American lager and it practically works.

A refreshing golden ale. Nice hop taste on the finish although rather unspectacular. A thirst quencher rather than a taste to be savored.