Goliath Cold Pale Ale
Market Brewing Company

473 mL can from the LCBO; coded 281223452. Served barely chilled.

Pours a clear blonde-yellow colour, sporting a two-inch cap of fluffy, foamy white head that lasts for more than five minutes. It's eventually whittled down to a soapy, sudsy cap and collar, with gobs of beautiful lace coating the glass afterwards - visually it's a very attractive glass of beer. Tea leafy, floral hops and bergamot orange on the nose, with hints of apricot, lemon and grapefruit.

Interesting flavours - low-key in terms of intensity and bitterness, yet unique. Black tea, bitter orange peel and floral, perfumey hops figure in prominently, assisted by notes of peach and grapefruit. Finishes citrusy, with floral, tea-leafy hops dissipating into a relatively clean aftertaste. Medium-light in body, with low carbonation that gently agitates the surface of the palate, resulting in a smooth, soft mouthfeel that is well-suited to its flavour profile. This is one of those rare pale ales that I could quaff all night and not tire of.

Final Grade: 3.9, a B+. I think Goliath Cold Pale Ale might be my favourite Market Brewing beer so far! I really enjoyed its flavour profile, which is mellow and sort of along the lines of an English golden ale, with its smooth mouthfeel only further accentuating that vibe. Also, something about this brew reminds me of Labatt 50, which is a good thing because I have a fondness for that particular macro beer. All in all, this is a solid brew that I plan to revisit, and I'd also encourage other beer geeks to give it a fair shake.

Sept 3 2024