R&D 2015 Golden Ale
New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Pale Ale
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 90
- Avg:
- 4.1 | pDev: 8.29%
- Reviews:
- 21
- Ratings:
- From:
- New Glarus Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 9
- Gots
- 33
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Notes:
Golden Ale is a Belgian Trappist Style Ale brewed with Czech & Munich malts. German Saphir and French Strisselspalt hops were used for the kettle boil. The 2015 Golden Ale was than dry hopped and is naturally bottle conditioned with Ale and Brett yeast.
Reviews: 21
| Ratings: 100
4.18/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Opaque dark orange body, small head, white, that fades slowly, rocky, with a small bubble cloak of lacing.
S - The nose is full of Brett. Plastic and limestone up front, powerful and sharp, with bright acidic fruit notes, presumably from the hops, and a strong floral component.
T - Starts with lemon, a fruity acidity, that quickly washes into band-aid plastic note that lingers, limestone, hay and grass, a touch of bubble gum and spun sugar below, and a slow trail of sourness.
M - Brisk carbonation and a slight hint of chalk in the close. Moderate on the tongue, but with a bit of lingering weight.
O - Superb, funky beer. Super pretty. The Brett is dialed up at this point beyond where I'd prefer, but the hops, yeast and malts combine to offer a lot of interest.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Opaque dark orange body, small head, white, that fades slowly, rocky, with a small bubble cloak of lacing.
S - The nose is full of Brett. Plastic and limestone up front, powerful and sharp, with bright acidic fruit notes, presumably from the hops, and a strong floral component.
T - Starts with lemon, a fruity acidity, that quickly washes into band-aid plastic note that lingers, limestone, hay and grass, a touch of bubble gum and spun sugar below, and a slow trail of sourness.
M - Brisk carbonation and a slight hint of chalk in the close. Moderate on the tongue, but with a bit of lingering weight.
O - Superb, funky beer. Super pretty. The Brett is dialed up at this point beyond where I'd prefer, but the hops, yeast and malts combine to offer a lot of interest.
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3.41/5 rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Sparkling yellow-gold with a large airy white fuzzy foam leaving some spotty spongy lace, clinging in tall sporadic chunks at the edges. There is a ton of sediment though, to the point where you can't pour a quarter inch of beer from the bottle without turning it into a milkshake.
Smell has a very strong barnyard influence. Between hay, straw and horse blanket, it's quite funky, with some astringent grassy hops and hints of bread and citrus rind.
Taste continues the barnyard with horse blanket and musty rotting hay and grass bundles, spiked by slightly tart citrus, bitter grass and weeds. Brett dominates, with a touch of phenol.
Feel is crisp, tingly and moderate to light with a semi-dry finish.
Easily the worst R&D I've had, which obviously does not mean it's terrible, but it's like a far too funky Pilsener.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Sparkling yellow-gold with a large airy white fuzzy foam leaving some spotty spongy lace, clinging in tall sporadic chunks at the edges. There is a ton of sediment though, to the point where you can't pour a quarter inch of beer from the bottle without turning it into a milkshake.
Smell has a very strong barnyard influence. Between hay, straw and horse blanket, it's quite funky, with some astringent grassy hops and hints of bread and citrus rind.
Taste continues the barnyard with horse blanket and musty rotting hay and grass bundles, spiked by slightly tart citrus, bitter grass and weeds. Brett dominates, with a touch of phenol.
Feel is crisp, tingly and moderate to light with a semi-dry finish.
Easily the worst R&D I've had, which obviously does not mean it's terrible, but it's like a far too funky Pilsener.
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4.66/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Enjoyed side-by-side with the 2009 version. The 2015 version is much brighter since the hops haven't had time to fade, similar level of funk, with just a touch of sweetness and an enormous billowing white fluffy head.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Enjoyed side-by-side with the 2009 version. The 2015 version is much brighter since the hops haven't had time to fade, similar level of funk, with just a touch of sweetness and an enormous billowing white fluffy head.
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4.35/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a slightly hazy straw yellow golden color with white head. Funk, tartness, citrus, other light fruits and some grass on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with a little tartness, crisp, and dry.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a slightly hazy straw yellow golden color with white head. Funk, tartness, citrus, other light fruits and some grass on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with a little tartness, crisp, and dry.
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4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a nice carbonated golden color with a 3 finger pure white head. Aroma is a nice Brett funk. Flavor is Brett up front but has a good balanced finish with some sweetness and hops. Mouth feel is carbonated and bubbly. Overall a very enjoyable beer.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a nice carbonated golden color with a 3 finger pure white head. Aroma is a nice Brett funk. Flavor is Brett up front but has a good balanced finish with some sweetness and hops. Mouth feel is carbonated and bubbly. Overall a very enjoyable beer.
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3.91/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Whew! The nose on this one reminded me of a diaper pail, though I either got used to it or it faded with time. After that, it's funky, bready, and thoroughly enjoyable.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Whew! The nose on this one reminded me of a diaper pail, though I either got used to it or it faded with time. After that, it's funky, bready, and thoroughly enjoyable.
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4.23/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Big brett funkiness. Getting past the brett, I'm picking up some faint peach and pear notes. Virtually no sweetness. Super dry, heavily carbed. Short initial finish, but the brett lingers on the back of your tongue. If you like brett heavy, funky beers, this is for you.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Big brett funkiness. Getting past the brett, I'm picking up some faint peach and pear notes. Virtually no sweetness. Super dry, heavily carbed. Short initial finish, but the brett lingers on the back of your tongue. If you like brett heavy, funky beers, this is for you.
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4.27/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Sunny yellow body, mild haze, small bone white head. Aromas of Belgian yeast, a touch of lemon, brett, German hop character. Bready with prominent brett character throughout. Nice.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Sunny yellow body, mild haze, small bone white head. Aromas of Belgian yeast, a touch of lemon, brett, German hop character. Bready with prominent brett character throughout. Nice.
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4.21/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
500ml bottle of the 2015 release. Served in a stemmed glass 1/4/2016.
Pours a cloudy yellow-copper body, three finger white head with just the right amount of fluffy retention, splotchy lacing, thick film and collar. It doesn't get in the way of drinking, but is beautiful and effervescently fluffy nonetheless. Smells of minerals, hay, lemon, grassy and floral notes, a bit of belgian candied sugar, mild mustiness. It's a balanced aroma with noble hops, a bit of sweet sugar and yeast aromas. Flavour is a mild mustiness, a bit of hay and leather, yeast, a particularly mineral-forward flavour with a mild amount of sulfur and earth, white grapes, a bit of oak, lemon. No acidity, just the mildest amount of tartness, and the Brett character is more pronounced on the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, effervescent and fluffy without being annoyingly so, well carbonated, a bit of leather and lemon on the finish. A wonderfully drinkable, Brett beer that is extremely balanced with all of its components. In addition to being balanced, it is fairly complex and will likely do very well over time.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
500ml bottle of the 2015 release. Served in a stemmed glass 1/4/2016.
Pours a cloudy yellow-copper body, three finger white head with just the right amount of fluffy retention, splotchy lacing, thick film and collar. It doesn't get in the way of drinking, but is beautiful and effervescently fluffy nonetheless. Smells of minerals, hay, lemon, grassy and floral notes, a bit of belgian candied sugar, mild mustiness. It's a balanced aroma with noble hops, a bit of sweet sugar and yeast aromas. Flavour is a mild mustiness, a bit of hay and leather, yeast, a particularly mineral-forward flavour with a mild amount of sulfur and earth, white grapes, a bit of oak, lemon. No acidity, just the mildest amount of tartness, and the Brett character is more pronounced on the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, effervescent and fluffy without being annoyingly so, well carbonated, a bit of leather and lemon on the finish. A wonderfully drinkable, Brett beer that is extremely balanced with all of its components. In addition to being balanced, it is fairly complex and will likely do very well over time.
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4.85/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Nice cloudy straw pour with a thin white head. Apricot and lemon in the nose with some funk underneath. Same in the flavor, lemon and funk, good carbonation. A truly delicious beer.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Nice cloudy straw pour with a thin white head. Apricot and lemon in the nose with some funk underneath. Same in the flavor, lemon and funk, good carbonation. A truly delicious beer.
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3.82/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Golden color. Sweet barnyard aroma. Taste is a little sweet for my liking. It’s got that sweet Belgian taste with Brett undertones, which I am not too big into. However, I think overall the beer is still pretty good.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Golden color. Sweet barnyard aroma. Taste is a little sweet for my liking. It’s got that sweet Belgian taste with Brett undertones, which I am not too big into. However, I think overall the beer is still pretty good.
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4.14/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A - Hazy medium gold color with a thick white soapy head.
S - Floral apricot and lemon with a balanced funk aroma.
T - Perfumey, soft lemon tartness, lemon peel, with a nice lingering tart lemon zing.
M - Light medium body with gentle carbonation that gives way to a creamy feeling finish.
O - Nicely done.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A - Hazy medium gold color with a thick white soapy head.
S - Floral apricot and lemon with a balanced funk aroma.
T - Perfumey, soft lemon tartness, lemon peel, with a nice lingering tart lemon zing.
M - Light medium body with gentle carbonation that gives way to a creamy feeling finish.
O - Nicely done.
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4.53/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Absolutely spot on to style. Base golden ale is super clean and bright. A real showcase for the young brett right now. Wildflowers and hay. Nice bright carb carries the flavors. A green/young fruit character too.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Absolutely spot on to style. Base golden ale is super clean and bright. A real showcase for the young brett right now. Wildflowers and hay. Nice bright carb carries the flavors. A green/young fruit character too.
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4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 16 oz bottle into snifter.
A: Slightly cloudy lemon yellow with generous 3-4 finger white head with lasting retention and plenty of lacing.
S: Lemon zest, earthy hops, and brett yeast.
T: Light cracker malts with some faint citrus and earthy hops. A little spice at the end.
M: Medium body with above average carbonation. Finish is crisp and refreshing.
O: Easy drinking beer. Very well balanced and enjoyable although this reads much more as a saison or farmhouse ale than a Belgian Pale Ale to me.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 16 oz bottle into snifter.
A: Slightly cloudy lemon yellow with generous 3-4 finger white head with lasting retention and plenty of lacing.
S: Lemon zest, earthy hops, and brett yeast.
T: Light cracker malts with some faint citrus and earthy hops. A little spice at the end.
M: Medium body with above average carbonation. Finish is crisp and refreshing.
O: Easy drinking beer. Very well balanced and enjoyable although this reads much more as a saison or farmhouse ale than a Belgian Pale Ale to me.
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4.4/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 2
Tastes like a very psuedo-Traditional attempt at the style. Mixed yeast give this beer a ton of depth. This beer will not knock your socks off, but everything about it felt right and delicious.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 2
Tastes like a very psuedo-Traditional attempt at the style. Mixed yeast give this beer a ton of depth. This beer will not knock your socks off, but everything about it felt right and delicious.
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4.44/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500 ml bottle sealed with New Glarus logo pressure cap.
poured into HF wine stem.
Appearance: No surprise here with the color... is it a golden yellow body. Massive white head with a creamy and dense consistency. Head drops down to a thick cap. Lots of head clings to the side of the glass.
Smell: Lemon and earthy hops plus brett. This smells glorious, the aroma is all about the brett and hops. And they pair flawlessly together.
Taste: Much the same as the nose. Light earthy hop bitterness. Bright lemon citrus hop presence as well. Earthy and fruity brett. Mineral presence found here as well that is reminiscent of well water. Biscuit/bready malt presence that is light, but found in the perfect proportion.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate almost high carbonation levels. Creamy carbonation that has a dry and prickly character about it. This is super drinkable beer. Rustic, crisp, and clean beer.
Overall: This is not the same R&D Golden Ale as batch one. This is excellent straight out of the gates as where batch one needed alot of time to become something great...either that or my taste in beer has really changed alot from when batch one was released back in 2009. While this is categorized as a belgian pale ale, my mind keeps going towards the likes of a saison because of the hop profile and the brett presence. Either way this is a fantastic beer and I don't think this beer will last long with me. I had intentions of cellaring bottles, but I like it how it drinks right now so I am drinking my bottles fresh.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500 ml bottle sealed with New Glarus logo pressure cap.
poured into HF wine stem.
Appearance: No surprise here with the color... is it a golden yellow body. Massive white head with a creamy and dense consistency. Head drops down to a thick cap. Lots of head clings to the side of the glass.
Smell: Lemon and earthy hops plus brett. This smells glorious, the aroma is all about the brett and hops. And they pair flawlessly together.
Taste: Much the same as the nose. Light earthy hop bitterness. Bright lemon citrus hop presence as well. Earthy and fruity brett. Mineral presence found here as well that is reminiscent of well water. Biscuit/bready malt presence that is light, but found in the perfect proportion.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate almost high carbonation levels. Creamy carbonation that has a dry and prickly character about it. This is super drinkable beer. Rustic, crisp, and clean beer.
Overall: This is not the same R&D Golden Ale as batch one. This is excellent straight out of the gates as where batch one needed alot of time to become something great...either that or my taste in beer has really changed alot from when batch one was released back in 2009. While this is categorized as a belgian pale ale, my mind keeps going towards the likes of a saison because of the hop profile and the brett presence. Either way this is a fantastic beer and I don't think this beer will last long with me. I had intentions of cellaring bottles, but I like it how it drinks right now so I am drinking my bottles fresh.
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4.39/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured 500ml into thin wine glass. It is hazy gold with a 3 finger white head that leaves behind thick webs of lacing. I immediately notice the Brett and barnyard funk on the nose. Fruity Belgian aromas along with some citrus and spicy hops. The flavor reminds me of a triple that has been hopped with citrus and tropical flavors. The funk plays in nicely and is very noticeable at the end with a bit of spice. It has a light and creamy feel with very prickly carbonation. All around delicious beer from NG.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured 500ml into thin wine glass. It is hazy gold with a 3 finger white head that leaves behind thick webs of lacing. I immediately notice the Brett and barnyard funk on the nose. Fruity Belgian aromas along with some citrus and spicy hops. The flavor reminds me of a triple that has been hopped with citrus and tropical flavors. The funk plays in nicely and is very noticeable at the end with a bit of spice. It has a light and creamy feel with very prickly carbonation. All around delicious beer from NG.
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4.4/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500 ml bottle poured into a tulip.
6% ABV, 38 IBUs, 13.5°P OG, Brewed June 2015, Bottled Aug. 2015
A - Bottle fermentation gives this bright golden straw-colored ale a slight haze beneath the plume of white foam. The cap of suds is reduced to a thin skim after some time, shrouding the glass in lacing.
S - Heavy Brett aromatics are immediately noticeable upon the pour, getting me all giddy inside! Barnyard funk brings out goatiness and horse blanket with wet straw nuances but none is stronger than the other and the whole combination still allows for other attributes to pull through. Honey-drizzled biscuit makes its way forward while subtle coriander notes merge with slightly spicy hops.
T - Far from the amount of Brett in the aroma, the flavor is almost completely straight-up hoppy golden ale. Spicy hops rush to the forefront with herbal undertones but don't overshadow the clean and mildly sweet biscuity malt flavor that provides a great base for the beer.
M - Bright and crisp, this effervescent golden ale pricks the tongue as it goes down, finishing with a total and complete dryness on the palate but still quite refreshing!
O - Bright, crisp, and effervescent, this exceptional golden ale is brimming with Brett yeast in the aroma, balanced out by spicy hops and biscuity malt in flavor, cut perfectly by a dry finish for a completely drinkable brew easily worthy of it's GABF medal.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500 ml bottle poured into a tulip.
6% ABV, 38 IBUs, 13.5°P OG, Brewed June 2015, Bottled Aug. 2015
A - Bottle fermentation gives this bright golden straw-colored ale a slight haze beneath the plume of white foam. The cap of suds is reduced to a thin skim after some time, shrouding the glass in lacing.
S - Heavy Brett aromatics are immediately noticeable upon the pour, getting me all giddy inside! Barnyard funk brings out goatiness and horse blanket with wet straw nuances but none is stronger than the other and the whole combination still allows for other attributes to pull through. Honey-drizzled biscuit makes its way forward while subtle coriander notes merge with slightly spicy hops.
T - Far from the amount of Brett in the aroma, the flavor is almost completely straight-up hoppy golden ale. Spicy hops rush to the forefront with herbal undertones but don't overshadow the clean and mildly sweet biscuity malt flavor that provides a great base for the beer.
M - Bright and crisp, this effervescent golden ale pricks the tongue as it goes down, finishing with a total and complete dryness on the palate but still quite refreshing!
O - Bright, crisp, and effervescent, this exceptional golden ale is brimming with Brett yeast in the aroma, balanced out by spicy hops and biscuity malt in flavor, cut perfectly by a dry finish for a completely drinkable brew easily worthy of it's GABF medal.
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4.93/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
All Brett everything! Beer is very pretty. Pours golden with a thick head that has staying power. Smells of brett, funky barnyard and a slight citrus pith. Taste follows suit and is extremely balanced and drinkable. Very glad I have some stashed and am looking forward to revisiting over a few years.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
All Brett everything! Beer is very pretty. Pours golden with a thick head that has staying power. Smells of brett, funky barnyard and a slight citrus pith. Taste follows suit and is extremely balanced and drinkable. Very glad I have some stashed and am looking forward to revisiting over a few years.
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4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful head and lacing like you'd expect from New Glarus. Smell and taste are both strong but well integrated brett. I don't know if it seems like it should be an R&D but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best brett beers I've ever had. It's been a few years since I had the original golden ale, and I didn't have that one fresh, but I like this one better.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful head and lacing like you'd expect from New Glarus. Smell and taste are both strong but well integrated brett. I don't know if it seems like it should be an R&D but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best brett beers I've ever had. It's been a few years since I had the original golden ale, and I didn't have that one fresh, but I like this one better.
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4.25/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Brett, Brett, and more Brett. Color is a very hazy yellow. The nose is all Brett. The taste is Brett and belgian yeast. The finish is mainly brett. Taste very similar to Saison Brett with some trapist yeast backbone. I'm curious to see when the young Brett matures, this should get very interesting.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Brett, Brett, and more Brett. Color is a very hazy yellow. The nose is all Brett. The taste is Brett and belgian yeast. The finish is mainly brett. Taste very similar to Saison Brett with some trapist yeast backbone. I'm curious to see when the young Brett matures, this should get very interesting.
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R&D 2015 Golden Ale from New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
100 ratings
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