Golden Sour
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Wild Ale
- ABV:
- 3.7%
- Score:
- 95
- Avg:
- 4.29 | pDev: 7.93%
- Reviews:
- 11
- Ratings:
- From:
- Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 27
- Gots
- 35
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Notes:
Wild ale aged in white wine barrels with lemon zest added.
Reviews: 11
| Ratings: 147
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4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle from 2014
A: Poured into a Duvel tulip to a light and clear gold topped by a fluffy and rocky two finger white head which fades quickly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of wine barrels, slight funk, cracker malt and some lemon zest
T: Taste is clean and bright acidity with some nice lemon flavors, slight wine barrel with some mineral notes, slight grape skin, a little funk, and a hint of cracker malt. On the swallow there's more lemony sourness with some melon, slight funk, and lingering oak with a little more white wine on the back end
M: This beer has a body which is on the lighter side of medium and slightly slick on the palate. Carbonation is effervescent without being prickly and the beer has a drying finish due to the acidity.
O: Overall this is an impressive amount of flavor packed into a low ABV package. Really nice complexity on this one that hits all the notes you want to see in a wild ale without the sourness being way over the top. Worth a try if they make this one again.
1,056 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle from 2014
A: Poured into a Duvel tulip to a light and clear gold topped by a fluffy and rocky two finger white head which fades quickly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of wine barrels, slight funk, cracker malt and some lemon zest
T: Taste is clean and bright acidity with some nice lemon flavors, slight wine barrel with some mineral notes, slight grape skin, a little funk, and a hint of cracker malt. On the swallow there's more lemony sourness with some melon, slight funk, and lingering oak with a little more white wine on the back end
M: This beer has a body which is on the lighter side of medium and slightly slick on the palate. Carbonation is effervescent without being prickly and the beer has a drying finish due to the acidity.
O: Overall this is an impressive amount of flavor packed into a low ABV package. Really nice complexity on this one that hits all the notes you want to see in a wild ale without the sourness being way over the top. Worth a try if they make this one again.
1,056 characters
3.94/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A good flavour delivery for lower alcohol (though not the price). Lemon there, sour solid for a couple years old. Some white wine barreling. For sour fans.
155 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A good flavour delivery for lower alcohol (though not the price). Lemon there, sour solid for a couple years old. Some white wine barreling. For sour fans.
155 characters
3.94/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The beer is a yellow orange. Clouded over. Smallish white head. Not much retention. Very nice mix of sour and funk in the aroma. Little bit of sweet lemon with an acidic edge. Light fresh grain note. Mild lacto yogurt. Good depth which a lot of sours lack, so that’s nice. Taste isn’t quite as successful for me but still solid. Moderate sourness, picks up a bit in the finish. Medium to light body. Some soft fluffiness. Medium lemon flavor. Some funk depth but not quite what the nose promises. Oak is kinda buttery, nice flavor.
535 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The beer is a yellow orange. Clouded over. Smallish white head. Not much retention. Very nice mix of sour and funk in the aroma. Little bit of sweet lemon with an acidic edge. Light fresh grain note. Mild lacto yogurt. Good depth which a lot of sours lack, so that’s nice. Taste isn’t quite as successful for me but still solid. Moderate sourness, picks up a bit in the finish. Medium to light body. Some soft fluffiness. Medium lemon flavor. Some funk depth but not quite what the nose promises. Oak is kinda buttery, nice flavor.
535 characters
4.06/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I purchased this at wegman's enjoyed chilled in a tumbler chilled from the 750ml corked and caged bottle.
The color is golden with excellent clarity and light fruity smell with sour citrus scent and light funk with mild spice scent. The feel brings light body with slight tanginess of yeast with medium carbonation and subtle acidity with dry astringent finish.
The taste is tangy with fruit and light husky malt with subtle funk flavor with zesty lemon quality with slight spice accent and mild tropical fruit element with tart aspect in the dry tangy finish. Overall this is a decent lightly sour with the zest adding a little twist with wine complimentary to the overall taste.
684 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I purchased this at wegman's enjoyed chilled in a tumbler chilled from the 750ml corked and caged bottle.
The color is golden with excellent clarity and light fruity smell with sour citrus scent and light funk with mild spice scent. The feel brings light body with slight tanginess of yeast with medium carbonation and subtle acidity with dry astringent finish.
The taste is tangy with fruit and light husky malt with subtle funk flavor with zesty lemon quality with slight spice accent and mild tropical fruit element with tart aspect in the dry tangy finish. Overall this is a decent lightly sour with the zest adding a little twist with wine complimentary to the overall taste.
684 characters
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The pour yields a large, about three fingers worth, of fluffy virginal white airy froth... Modest retention gives way to a very subtle veil of lacing and thin collar... The color is a slightly pale medium golden yellow... There is a certain haziness / murkiness to this one... Still with no discernible carbonation, just a stray bubble or two sticking to the sides of the glass... The nose is a mix of lemon and chardonnay followed by a mix of chardonnay and lemon... Some light oak and tannins... Just the faintest hint of honey on the finish for added depth and complexity... The palate is as imagined... Lemon zest... Some light oakiness... Some white wine like character... White grapes... A subtle lactic / vinegar presence, but not too souring... Real good mouthfeel... On the lighter side of medium bodied... Spry playful carbonation... Coats the tongue evenly... Saliva inducing... This a rock solid American Wild Ale... A lot of care and craftmanship went into this brew and it is much appreciated...
1,030 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The pour yields a large, about three fingers worth, of fluffy virginal white airy froth... Modest retention gives way to a very subtle veil of lacing and thin collar... The color is a slightly pale medium golden yellow... There is a certain haziness / murkiness to this one... Still with no discernible carbonation, just a stray bubble or two sticking to the sides of the glass... The nose is a mix of lemon and chardonnay followed by a mix of chardonnay and lemon... Some light oak and tannins... Just the faintest hint of honey on the finish for added depth and complexity... The palate is as imagined... Lemon zest... Some light oakiness... Some white wine like character... White grapes... A subtle lactic / vinegar presence, but not too souring... Real good mouthfeel... On the lighter side of medium bodied... Spry playful carbonation... Coats the tongue evenly... Saliva inducing... This a rock solid American Wild Ale... A lot of care and craftmanship went into this brew and it is much appreciated...
1,030 characters
3.84/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pour is hazy pale yellow with a white head. Nose has white grape, nice oak, sawdust and faint vanilla, lemon and apricot behind. Flavor is sharp, lots of barrel, white grapes and tons of nice oakiness. Lightly sour, a hint of lemon and apricot. Strong carbonation and light body.
283 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pour is hazy pale yellow with a white head. Nose has white grape, nice oak, sawdust and faint vanilla, lemon and apricot behind. Flavor is sharp, lots of barrel, white grapes and tons of nice oakiness. Lightly sour, a hint of lemon and apricot. Strong carbonation and light body.
283 characters
4.21/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
A: The beer is rather hazy yellow in color. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that died down, leaving a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate amounts of white wine and sourness are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is a little sour and has lots of flavors of white wine from the barrel aging along with some hints of lemon peels.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: For such a low alcohol beer, this beer is rather flavorful and interesting. It has excellent drinkability.
Note: 2014 release
Serving type: bottle
639 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
A: The beer is rather hazy yellow in color. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that died down, leaving a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate amounts of white wine and sourness are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is a little sour and has lots of flavors of white wine from the barrel aging along with some hints of lemon peels.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: For such a low alcohol beer, this beer is rather flavorful and interesting. It has excellent drinkability.
Note: 2014 release
Serving type: bottle
639 characters
4.26/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Hazy pale orange body. Medium white head and a thin collar.
Smell - Very nice aroma. Strong lemon. Oak. Yeasty. Dry grass. Some white wine. Like a really lemony lambic aroma.
Taste - Intensely oaky. Lemon all over. A little grassy. Like the aroma, it's like a very intensely lemony lambic flavor. White wine is the lasting flavor aside from the lemon.
Mouthfeel - Well carbonated. Medium body.
Overall - I am really enjoying this one. Reminds me a lot of the on-site bottles at Pizza Boy, like Permasmile.
573 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Hazy pale orange body. Medium white head and a thin collar.
Smell - Very nice aroma. Strong lemon. Oak. Yeasty. Dry grass. Some white wine. Like a really lemony lambic aroma.
Taste - Intensely oaky. Lemon all over. A little grassy. Like the aroma, it's like a very intensely lemony lambic flavor. White wine is the lasting flavor aside from the lemon.
Mouthfeel - Well carbonated. Medium body.
Overall - I am really enjoying this one. Reminds me a lot of the on-site bottles at Pizza Boy, like Permasmile.
573 characters
4.41/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by mendvicdog. Thanks Pat!
Golden apricot body with a tiny head that fades to nil. Aromas of peach, sour funk, gueze character. Really mild acetic character and simply teeming with fruit flavor. Stone fruit and lactic funk. Delicious and goes down effortlessly. Delicious.
287 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by mendvicdog. Thanks Pat!
Golden apricot body with a tiny head that fades to nil. Aromas of peach, sour funk, gueze character. Really mild acetic character and simply teeming with fruit flavor. Stone fruit and lactic funk. Delicious and goes down effortlessly. Delicious.
287 characters
4.4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle at Al’s of Hampden. Pours hazy golden yellow with a one finger tall fizzy white head, quickly dissipating down to light film around the edge, leaving minimal lace on the sides of the glass.
Smells of mild barnyard funk, all different fruity notes but mainly lemon, peach and some other tropical fruits, woody oak, bit of musty basement and the lightly toasted grains. Taste is pretty much identical to the nose. The musty funk is up front with the assorted fruitiness slowly being joined by the oak, more lemon zest, cake-y yeast and the slightly chewy pale malt. Slick, tart feel with some dryness from the barrel.
One of my favorites of the new releases. Lots of flavor and it is still quite drinkable. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one ages, I think it has really good potential.
812 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle at Al’s of Hampden. Pours hazy golden yellow with a one finger tall fizzy white head, quickly dissipating down to light film around the edge, leaving minimal lace on the sides of the glass.
Smells of mild barnyard funk, all different fruity notes but mainly lemon, peach and some other tropical fruits, woody oak, bit of musty basement and the lightly toasted grains. Taste is pretty much identical to the nose. The musty funk is up front with the assorted fruitiness slowly being joined by the oak, more lemon zest, cake-y yeast and the slightly chewy pale malt. Slick, tart feel with some dryness from the barrel.
One of my favorites of the new releases. Lots of flavor and it is still quite drinkable. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one ages, I think it has really good potential.
812 characters
4.26/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle consumed on-site at pizza boy poured into a matching 8oz wine glass. The brew appears a clear yellow color with a white cap that fades pretty rapidly.
The aroma is bright with lemon-like aspect blending to funk, earth and oak. Overall a well balanced and complex nose that hits nearly every angle of the wild ale spectrum but is easily approachable.
The taste is lemony tart with some earthen funk and oakiness. With each sip you can seemingly focus on different aspects of the brew but it remains balanced with the wild attributes being tamed by the soft woodiness of the barrel aging.
This is a light bodied brew that kinda reminds me of an un-fruited iteration of permasmile with a little less funk and horsey brett influence. Of the current bottles available, I could see myself drinking bottle after bottle of this without succumbing to the acidity found in some of the grape abascio offerings.
916 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle consumed on-site at pizza boy poured into a matching 8oz wine glass. The brew appears a clear yellow color with a white cap that fades pretty rapidly.
The aroma is bright with lemon-like aspect blending to funk, earth and oak. Overall a well balanced and complex nose that hits nearly every angle of the wild ale spectrum but is easily approachable.
The taste is lemony tart with some earthen funk and oakiness. With each sip you can seemingly focus on different aspects of the brew but it remains balanced with the wild attributes being tamed by the soft woodiness of the barrel aging.
This is a light bodied brew that kinda reminds me of an un-fruited iteration of permasmile with a little less funk and horsey brett influence. Of the current bottles available, I could see myself drinking bottle after bottle of this without succumbing to the acidity found in some of the grape abascio offerings.
916 characters
Golden Sour from Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
147 ratings
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