Brakspear Oxford Gold | W.H. Brakspear & Sons plc
Brewed by:
W.H. Brakspear & Sons plc
United Kingdom (England) | website
Style: English Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.60%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by bark on 11-16-2007
Reviews: 50 | Ratings: 115
3.85/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Best before 28 Feb 17
A: Pours an amber/red with a tall, fizzy white head. Good retention with thin, thin walls of lacing.
S: Huh, a nice crisp citrus fruitiness and the sulfur of pilsner malt.
T: Flowery up front, very much so. Citrus rind and a honey sweetness. Get that typical little punch of bitterness in the finish with another flourish of flowers.
M: Light and crisp.
O: Not bad. Never had this style before. Tastes a lot like an english pale ale, just watered down a bit. Very flowery at points but the honey balances it out a bit. Crisp and drinkable.
★ 569 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Best before 28 Feb 17
A: Pours an amber/red with a tall, fizzy white head. Good retention with thin, thin walls of lacing.
S: Huh, a nice crisp citrus fruitiness and the sulfur of pilsner malt.
T: Flowery up front, very much so. Citrus rind and a honey sweetness. Get that typical little punch of bitterness in the finish with another flourish of flowers.
M: Light and crisp.
O: Not bad. Never had this style before. Tastes a lot like an english pale ale, just watered down a bit. Very flowery at points but the honey balances it out a bit. Crisp and drinkable.
★ 569 characters
2.71/5 rDev -25.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Bottle from Ramstein BritShop. Gold? In color, yes. Else wise, this beer comes off kind of weak and watery. Tastes more like a pale lager than a bitter. A little disappointing....
★ 179 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Bottle from Ramstein BritShop. Gold? In color, yes. Else wise, this beer comes off kind of weak and watery. Tastes more like a pale lager than a bitter. A little disappointing....
★ 179 characters
3.93/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear, light copper colour with light carbonation and a pretty, white head that leaves plenty of lacing.
Smells of light honey, malt, and lemon flowers.
Taste is typical of an English golden ale with hints of lemon and florals.
Light to medium body. Smooth with a dry, bitter finish. Gentle carbonation.
Smooth, refreshing, easy-drinking. Best served cold.
★ 360 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear, light copper colour with light carbonation and a pretty, white head that leaves plenty of lacing.
Smells of light honey, malt, and lemon flowers.
Taste is typical of an English golden ale with hints of lemon and florals.
Light to medium body. Smooth with a dry, bitter finish. Gentle carbonation.
Smooth, refreshing, easy-drinking. Best served cold.
★ 360 characters
3.62/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Brakspear is the Shakespeare of English Beer... not really but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enunciate that statement, it was like part of my brain was thinking “Brakspear, Shakespeare” whilst another part was going “please no, don’t put another terrible pun in a review” too late, I did it and there’s no changing it now sucker! [err, yes, there is a button called ‘backspace’ that could work wonders for your reviews]... *brain-to-brain murmurs* OK I’ve worked it out with myself - I will keep telling terrible puns and I will also keep plying the dignity self-censorship portion of my brain with alcohol - as far as I can see it’s a win-win situation.
Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.
A: Butter-Menthols (Google it) is the exact colour of the body of this beer, I can’t even describe it to you - you just have to Google it. True story: Butter-Menthols are so good that as a kid I looked forward to catching a cold just so I could have some, of course now I simply drink a beer that is heavy in Diacetyl when I’ve got a cold and make it even worse but as they say: with age comes wisdom (teeth). The head was gone in a flash, typical English head, I believe it was cream-coloured. 7/10.
S: Aroma is quite floral with a medicinal note and some cider apples thrown in... colour me “what-the-f__k-is-this?” which is a purple-brown hue. Hint of lemon in there as well perhaps? Indeed. Malt, where are you hiding today? 8/10.
T: The flavour is floral, like a potpourri, my mouth has never been so much like an air freshener, with hints of the following: Citrus, biscuit malt and apple ester with an astringent dry finish - it’s the classic dry gin martini equivalent of a beer - you can feel this brew evaporate turning your tongue into the Sahara. Not bad, if you’re into that sort of thing. 7/10.
M: Mid to light bodied with a light carbonation and the aforementioned astringency dominating the palate here... the Japanese are totally jealous. 7/10.
D: I like Brakspear - so far I’ve tried two of their beers and they’ve been completely different unlike another certain brewer whom I just reviewed (I’ll give you a hint: sheep, possibly a herd, managed by someone named “Neame”) for whom it is difficult to pick their brews apart from each other. But I digress (my favourite activity) as this Brakspear is a brew I recommend with a caveat - do you have another drink handy because this is one dry MOFO. 7/10.
Food match: WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME WATER CRACKERS WITH THIS BEER.
★ 2,546 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Brakspear is the Shakespeare of English Beer... not really but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enunciate that statement, it was like part of my brain was thinking “Brakspear, Shakespeare” whilst another part was going “please no, don’t put another terrible pun in a review” too late, I did it and there’s no changing it now sucker! [err, yes, there is a button called ‘backspace’ that could work wonders for your reviews]... *brain-to-brain murmurs* OK I’ve worked it out with myself - I will keep telling terrible puns and I will also keep plying the dignity self-censorship portion of my brain with alcohol - as far as I can see it’s a win-win situation.
Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.
A: Butter-Menthols (Google it) is the exact colour of the body of this beer, I can’t even describe it to you - you just have to Google it. True story: Butter-Menthols are so good that as a kid I looked forward to catching a cold just so I could have some, of course now I simply drink a beer that is heavy in Diacetyl when I’ve got a cold and make it even worse but as they say: with age comes wisdom (teeth). The head was gone in a flash, typical English head, I believe it was cream-coloured. 7/10.
S: Aroma is quite floral with a medicinal note and some cider apples thrown in... colour me “what-the-f__k-is-this?” which is a purple-brown hue. Hint of lemon in there as well perhaps? Indeed. Malt, where are you hiding today? 8/10.
T: The flavour is floral, like a potpourri, my mouth has never been so much like an air freshener, with hints of the following: Citrus, biscuit malt and apple ester with an astringent dry finish - it’s the classic dry gin martini equivalent of a beer - you can feel this brew evaporate turning your tongue into the Sahara. Not bad, if you’re into that sort of thing. 7/10.
M: Mid to light bodied with a light carbonation and the aforementioned astringency dominating the palate here... the Japanese are totally jealous. 7/10.
D: I like Brakspear - so far I’ve tried two of their beers and they’ve been completely different unlike another certain brewer whom I just reviewed (I’ll give you a hint: sheep, possibly a herd, managed by someone named “Neame”) for whom it is difficult to pick their brews apart from each other. But I digress (my favourite activity) as this Brakspear is a brew I recommend with a caveat - do you have another drink handy because this is one dry MOFO. 7/10.
Food match: WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME WATER CRACKERS WITH THIS BEER.
★ 2,546 characters
3.86/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A delicious holiday discovery. All round nice easy drinking beer now brewed at Wychwood Brewery. All Brakspear's copper tanks were moved over to the Wychwood Brewery to maintain the same process and flavour. Apparently the yeast dates back to 1776? A unique old school ale.
★ 273 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A delicious holiday discovery. All round nice easy drinking beer now brewed at Wychwood Brewery. All Brakspear's copper tanks were moved over to the Wychwood Brewery to maintain the same process and flavour. Apparently the yeast dates back to 1776? A unique old school ale.
★ 273 characters
4.08/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A gift from a family friend from the UK.
A: Hazy amber liquid with a slight 1/4" cream coloured head that dissipated quickly.
S: honey, yeast and grass.
T: Honey, grass, marmalade, wood, grapefruit rind.
M: Medium viscosity and a low level of carbonation.
O: Surprisingly tasty flavour given that this ale uses Golding, Styrian Golding, Fuggle and Admiral Hops.
★ 366 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A gift from a family friend from the UK.
A: Hazy amber liquid with a slight 1/4" cream coloured head that dissipated quickly.
S: honey, yeast and grass.
T: Honey, grass, marmalade, wood, grapefruit rind.
M: Medium viscosity and a low level of carbonation.
O: Surprisingly tasty flavour given that this ale uses Golding, Styrian Golding, Fuggle and Admiral Hops.
★ 366 characters
3.38/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle has freshness date July 2013. Fairly dark amber colour with decent white head. The nose is a combination of dired fruit, lemon and honey. Seems a tad watery to start, until the hops kick in. Then a very pleasant, slightly oily feeling lemony bitterness with an accompanying nutty (perahps hazelnut) element. The first time I consumed a bottle of this I was under the impression that I was drinking brakspear Bitter and wondered what had gone wrong, but it has definitely grown on me after a few bottles over the last couple of years.
★ 546 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle has freshness date July 2013. Fairly dark amber colour with decent white head. The nose is a combination of dired fruit, lemon and honey. Seems a tad watery to start, until the hops kick in. Then a very pleasant, slightly oily feeling lemony bitterness with an accompanying nutty (perahps hazelnut) element. The first time I consumed a bottle of this I was under the impression that I was drinking brakspear Bitter and wondered what had gone wrong, but it has definitely grown on me after a few bottles over the last couple of years.
★ 546 characters
4.15/5 rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Tasted from a 500 ml bottle bought in Oxford, UK.
A - Deep golden to copper color with orange highlights. Very clear. Head is off white and not very thick, but it is sticky and persistent. Good lacing.
S - Clean, fresh aroma of English hops, some bready malt and a hint of butterscotch.
T - The taste is clean and balanced. It emphasizes English hops flavor (although the bitterness is moderate), but is balanced by bready, biscuity malt. There is a bit of butter and caramel in the slightly sweet finish. Very nice.
M - Medium body. Smooth carbonation; medium hops bitterness; no alcohol burn.
O - A simple and low-key, but very well-executed English beer. Balanced, clean and not over-the-top in any one area, but very enjoyable.
★ 737 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Tasted from a 500 ml bottle bought in Oxford, UK.
A - Deep golden to copper color with orange highlights. Very clear. Head is off white and not very thick, but it is sticky and persistent. Good lacing.
S - Clean, fresh aroma of English hops, some bready malt and a hint of butterscotch.
T - The taste is clean and balanced. It emphasizes English hops flavor (although the bitterness is moderate), but is balanced by bready, biscuity malt. There is a bit of butter and caramel in the slightly sweet finish. Very nice.
M - Medium body. Smooth carbonation; medium hops bitterness; no alcohol burn.
O - A simple and low-key, but very well-executed English beer. Balanced, clean and not over-the-top in any one area, but very enjoyable.
★ 737 characters
3.65/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Amber color. Poured a two finger head with low retention.
Fruity aroma, with notes of caramel and honey.
Interesting flavor, I was expecting something quite sweet, but I got a nice predominant English hops taste and decent malt. Notes of non-sweet plums and herbs. Dry and with a nice bitterness long aftertaste.
Light body with medium carbonation and small bubbles.
This was close to expiration date, I guess it aged quite well. Very well balanced beer, not too heavy but not boring, I would be more than happy to quaff a six pack.
★ 532 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Amber color. Poured a two finger head with low retention.
Fruity aroma, with notes of caramel and honey.
Interesting flavor, I was expecting something quite sweet, but I got a nice predominant English hops taste and decent malt. Notes of non-sweet plums and herbs. Dry and with a nice bitterness long aftertaste.
Light body with medium carbonation and small bubbles.
This was close to expiration date, I guess it aged quite well. Very well balanced beer, not too heavy but not boring, I would be more than happy to quaff a six pack.
★ 532 characters
3.53/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Tasted On: 12-25-2012
Freshness: Best by 06-30-2013
Packaging: 500ml brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Received as a gift
Thanks to my brother for picking up this rare style on a trip to Great Britain!
Shows a clear and golden, bright color with a generous white head. Very good head retention and a good amount of lace clings to the glass.
Aromas are of herbal and floral hop notes, with the pale malts adding a light breadiness and sweetness. I also pick up some citrus fruits.
Taste is a bit surprising in that it is more hop-forward than I would have guessed based on the smell. Herbal hop bitterness and spicy yeast qualities stand out, with a bit of unpleasant medicinal flavors in the end.
The feel is very crisp and clean, on a medium body. The finish is dry, weighing in with floral hops for a moderate level of bitterness and a bit of the medicinal tastes noted before.
Overall an OK brew. I can't really compare to others in the style, but the flavors seemed a bit one-dimensional and flawed by the noted off-flavors.
Thanks to Billy for this one!
★ 1,086 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Tasted On: 12-25-2012
Freshness: Best by 06-30-2013
Packaging: 500ml brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Received as a gift
Thanks to my brother for picking up this rare style on a trip to Great Britain!
Shows a clear and golden, bright color with a generous white head. Very good head retention and a good amount of lace clings to the glass.
Aromas are of herbal and floral hop notes, with the pale malts adding a light breadiness and sweetness. I also pick up some citrus fruits.
Taste is a bit surprising in that it is more hop-forward than I would have guessed based on the smell. Herbal hop bitterness and spicy yeast qualities stand out, with a bit of unpleasant medicinal flavors in the end.
The feel is very crisp and clean, on a medium body. The finish is dry, weighing in with floral hops for a moderate level of bitterness and a bit of the medicinal tastes noted before.
Overall an OK brew. I can't really compare to others in the style, but the flavors seemed a bit one-dimensional and flawed by the noted off-flavors.
Thanks to Billy for this one!
★ 1,086 characters
3.83/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (50 cl.) purchased from La Cave de l'Inattendu, tasted in 2012.
Appearance : amber color, with white foam head.
Smell : hoppy and malt aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : flowery hops and roasted malts flavors with low bitterness.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style English Pale mild Ale.
★ 298 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (50 cl.) purchased from La Cave de l'Inattendu, tasted in 2012.
Appearance : amber color, with white foam head.
Smell : hoppy and malt aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : flowery hops and roasted malts flavors with low bitterness.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style English Pale mild Ale.
★ 298 characters
3.53/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
1 I am not a big fan of golden ales and
2 for a bottled beer to be truly organic I think it should be bottle conditioned which this isnae
but let us proceed regardless
burnished amber clear body and decent enough(2mm) thickish white head.
The aroma is ruled by malts very subtle hints of lemon and hops.
The taste is very much like golden ales ruled by yeasty zings and not much else till tailing into subtle hops after taste not bad but still not my thing, not won over at all.
Its okay
I will finish it and if bought it will drink but not going to buy again in a hurry.
★ 577 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
1 I am not a big fan of golden ales and
2 for a bottled beer to be truly organic I think it should be bottle conditioned which this isnae
but let us proceed regardless
burnished amber clear body and decent enough(2mm) thickish white head.
The aroma is ruled by malts very subtle hints of lemon and hops.
The taste is very much like golden ales ruled by yeasty zings and not much else till tailing into subtle hops after taste not bad but still not my thing, not won over at all.
Its okay
I will finish it and if bought it will drink but not going to buy again in a hurry.
★ 577 characters
3.33/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm not quite sure what an English Pale Mild Ale is, but I reckon this ale is just a regular bitter. Anyways...
A 500ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2011. Label mentions that this beer is made from organic ingredients.
Poured into a tulip pint glass. A hazy golden-amber colour with low carbonation and some floating sediment. Produces a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of rich, fruity yeast underpinned by subtle caramel malt and leafy hops.
Tastes of light caramel malt with a dry, yeasty character and a mild bitter finish. Notes of yeast esters, bittering hops and faint aromatic hops with a whisper of citrus in the background. Mouthfeel is tingly and astringent, leaving the palate dry. Yeasty, faintly bitter aftertaste.
A decent ale, though not amazing. The aroma is pretty good, and the taste is well-rounded. Could imagine sinking a few on a hot day. Worth trying if you come across it.
★ 948 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm not quite sure what an English Pale Mild Ale is, but I reckon this ale is just a regular bitter. Anyways...
A 500ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2011. Label mentions that this beer is made from organic ingredients.
Poured into a tulip pint glass. A hazy golden-amber colour with low carbonation and some floating sediment. Produces a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of rich, fruity yeast underpinned by subtle caramel malt and leafy hops.
Tastes of light caramel malt with a dry, yeasty character and a mild bitter finish. Notes of yeast esters, bittering hops and faint aromatic hops with a whisper of citrus in the background. Mouthfeel is tingly and astringent, leaving the palate dry. Yeasty, faintly bitter aftertaste.
A decent ale, though not amazing. The aroma is pretty good, and the taste is well-rounded. Could imagine sinking a few on a hot day. Worth trying if you come across it.
★ 948 characters
3.41/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Dark golden, slight head. Good.
S: Honey and malt skunkiness. Not exactly brilliant.
T: Like a really good lager with strong tones of black tea and honey. I cannot say anything else than that this is simple but really works!
MF: Like any other lager. Slightly metallic. Easy to drink. Not offensive, not impressive.
O: A very reasonable "spiced up lager". Not a bad purchase.
★ 382 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Dark golden, slight head. Good.
S: Honey and malt skunkiness. Not exactly brilliant.
T: Like a really good lager with strong tones of black tea and honey. I cannot say anything else than that this is simple but really works!
MF: Like any other lager. Slightly metallic. Easy to drink. Not offensive, not impressive.
O: A very reasonable "spiced up lager". Not a bad purchase.
★ 382 characters
2.81/5 rDev -22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
First beer in style.
Pours a cloudy copper gold. Fluffy head has large and small bubbles. Fades to lace. Good.
Aromas of English style hops. Hint of orange rind.
Taste continues smell, being very dry and hoppy. Where is the malt, eh? Merest hint of honey. Dryness really catches up almost IPA style, but no body.
Mouthfeel is light/watery as per ABV which means the hops dominate quickly. Carbonation moderate
Overall, at start I thought 'good session beer' then it got too dry. Suspect will be a glass of water job to wash down at end. Meh.
★ 546 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
First beer in style.
Pours a cloudy copper gold. Fluffy head has large and small bubbles. Fades to lace. Good.
Aromas of English style hops. Hint of orange rind.
Taste continues smell, being very dry and hoppy. Where is the malt, eh? Merest hint of honey. Dryness really catches up almost IPA style, but no body.
Mouthfeel is light/watery as per ABV which means the hops dominate quickly. Carbonation moderate
Overall, at start I thought 'good session beer' then it got too dry. Suspect will be a glass of water job to wash down at end. Meh.
★ 546 characters
4.2/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a great beer, but then maybe it's because I poured it perfectly to my glass (YES! no enormous foam and not flat!!!)
App: it pours a bronze beauty, a bit cloudy with a pretty white (not bright white, kinda dirty white) head of about 2 fingers
Smell: Smell of honey, which is a big feature to this beer, rich smell that doesn't overpower you like you get in some heavy beers. makes you wanna take a chug
Taste: the best part. This is a sweet, honey tasting beer. the taste is rich and spreads great over the mouth. No bad aftertaste but a weak flavor that I enjoyed
Mouth: great, clear but with a little carb. Good feel, I can't quite explain
Overall: very recomended for all purposes
★ 695 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a great beer, but then maybe it's because I poured it perfectly to my glass (YES! no enormous foam and not flat!!!)
App: it pours a bronze beauty, a bit cloudy with a pretty white (not bright white, kinda dirty white) head of about 2 fingers
Smell: Smell of honey, which is a big feature to this beer, rich smell that doesn't overpower you like you get in some heavy beers. makes you wanna take a chug
Taste: the best part. This is a sweet, honey tasting beer. the taste is rich and spreads great over the mouth. No bad aftertaste but a weak flavor that I enjoyed
Mouth: great, clear but with a little carb. Good feel, I can't quite explain
Overall: very recomended for all purposes
★ 695 characters
3.58/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Amber gold with clumpy white foam that trails. Toffee and toast with slight orange jellies on the nose.
Granary bread with a bit of apricot pit and spicy EKG hops with earth underneath.
Candied orange and fruity linger. Medium, fizzy, oily.
How is this Pale Mild? It says "Gold" right on the bottle. Some pungent hops, some fruit and toast - good balance all around. Solid easy drinker.
★ 389 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Amber gold with clumpy white foam that trails. Toffee and toast with slight orange jellies on the nose.
Granary bread with a bit of apricot pit and spicy EKG hops with earth underneath.
Candied orange and fruity linger. Medium, fizzy, oily.
How is this Pale Mild? It says "Gold" right on the bottle. Some pungent hops, some fruit and toast - good balance all around. Solid easy drinker.
★ 389 characters
4.21/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Handpump half-pint at the Southwark Tavern.
A: Clear pale amber body with a very nice finger of creamy tan foam. Great retention and lacing. Lovely.
S: Balanced mix of herbal + piney hops and mildly sweet toffee malt. A little weak, but it's a mild after all.
T: Smooth, smooth, smooth. Malty and fruity up front, with biscuit, toffee, and apricot leading the way to a cleanly bitter finish. Very easy drinking and tasty.
M: Smooth, light, and moderately carbonated.
O: With its style in mind, this is almost a perfect beer: balanced, subtle, nuanced, complex, and hugely quaffable. I could see pint after pint disappearing with zero effort and great enjoyment.
Cheers!
★ 675 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Handpump half-pint at the Southwark Tavern.
A: Clear pale amber body with a very nice finger of creamy tan foam. Great retention and lacing. Lovely.
S: Balanced mix of herbal + piney hops and mildly sweet toffee malt. A little weak, but it's a mild after all.
T: Smooth, smooth, smooth. Malty and fruity up front, with biscuit, toffee, and apricot leading the way to a cleanly bitter finish. Very easy drinking and tasty.
M: Smooth, light, and moderately carbonated.
O: With its style in mind, this is almost a perfect beer: balanced, subtle, nuanced, complex, and hugely quaffable. I could see pint after pint disappearing with zero effort and great enjoyment.
Cheers!
★ 675 characters
3.67/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: A nice white head on this amber English pale ale.
S: A malty, honey and a bit alcohol.
T: Actually a nice surprise. A malty, bitter pale ale with a honey, citrus tone. A very well balanced bitter mild ale, in true British nature. A sharp end to this, for me, currently unknown beer.
A: Well worth a try.
★ 310 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: A nice white head on this amber English pale ale.
S: A malty, honey and a bit alcohol.
T: Actually a nice surprise. A malty, bitter pale ale with a honey, citrus tone. A very well balanced bitter mild ale, in true British nature. A sharp end to this, for me, currently unknown beer.
A: Well worth a try.
★ 310 characters
3.66/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A pleasant surprise, have been passing this over in the supermarket for ages but will certainly be buying again.
Poured into a Grottenbier chalice, gave a nice head which held reasonably well, leaving some nice lacing on its way down.
Quite fragrant, but doesn't beg you to gulp it down. Lovely bitter fruitiness that hit my sweet spot this evening.
★ 350 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A pleasant surprise, have been passing this over in the supermarket for ages but will certainly be buying again.
Poured into a Grottenbier chalice, gave a nice head which held reasonably well, leaving some nice lacing on its way down.
Quite fragrant, but doesn't beg you to gulp it down. Lovely bitter fruitiness that hit my sweet spot this evening.
★ 350 characters
3.23/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Amber in colour with golden highlights, arriving with a fairly lively carbonation. A thin white head forms but settles down too quickly to a thin ring with a few lacey spots clinging to the glass. The aroma is bright and citrusy and I think I can detect Goldings hops dominating the nose. There is also a maltiness underneath with a hint of caramel and honey.
The taste is slightly sweet with a nice honey character but a little watery on the flavour. There are hints of toast, floral hops, and a spicy edge to the bitterness. The swallow is citrusy and the finish clean, with biscuity malts lingering.
To be honest, despite the local connections, I have always been unable to muster much enthusiasm for Brakspear's Oxford Gold. The light body combined with the spicy edge to the flavour does not suit my taste, but I think I am unusual in this as most of fellow beer-enthusiasts here find this an easy-drinker.
Overall: Refreshing and quaffable, but lacks body and complexity of flavour.
★ 991 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Amber in colour with golden highlights, arriving with a fairly lively carbonation. A thin white head forms but settles down too quickly to a thin ring with a few lacey spots clinging to the glass. The aroma is bright and citrusy and I think I can detect Goldings hops dominating the nose. There is also a maltiness underneath with a hint of caramel and honey.
The taste is slightly sweet with a nice honey character but a little watery on the flavour. There are hints of toast, floral hops, and a spicy edge to the bitterness. The swallow is citrusy and the finish clean, with biscuity malts lingering.
To be honest, despite the local connections, I have always been unable to muster much enthusiasm for Brakspear's Oxford Gold. The light body combined with the spicy edge to the flavour does not suit my taste, but I think I am unusual in this as most of fellow beer-enthusiasts here find this an easy-drinker.
Overall: Refreshing and quaffable, but lacks body and complexity of flavour.
★ 991 characters
3.87/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle thanks to alfrantzell. All right, my first English Pale Mild tick, if you can call this beer that.
Pours a nice clear golden color with a small white head.
Sweet pale malt and honey on the aroma, with mild earthy hops. The flavor is slightly sweet and rather honeyish.
Pale malt and a smooth subtle earthy and mild citrus hop profile. Like a bitter, albeit not too bitter.
Medium-bodied with a nice smooth mouthfeel.
Solid and drinkable beer overall. Nice session beer (if you're not a 4% = session beer diehard tool that is).
★ 544 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle thanks to alfrantzell. All right, my first English Pale Mild tick, if you can call this beer that.
Pours a nice clear golden color with a small white head.
Sweet pale malt and honey on the aroma, with mild earthy hops. The flavor is slightly sweet and rather honeyish.
Pale malt and a smooth subtle earthy and mild citrus hop profile. Like a bitter, albeit not too bitter.
Medium-bodied with a nice smooth mouthfeel.
Solid and drinkable beer overall. Nice session beer (if you're not a 4% = session beer diehard tool that is).
★ 544 characters
3.68/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drank from my Bombardier Conic Pint Glass.
A - Pours a nice porange copper colour with a nice fluffy white head that retains well.
S - Plenty of hops and malts
T - Up front some caramel toffee flavours with a spicey middle finished with a boozey bitterness.
M - Medium body low carbonation and dry finish.
D - Plenty in this beer to keep you interested.
★ 358 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drank from my Bombardier Conic Pint Glass.
A - Pours a nice porange copper colour with a nice fluffy white head that retains well.
S - Plenty of hops and malts
T - Up front some caramel toffee flavours with a spicey middle finished with a boozey bitterness.
M - Medium body low carbonation and dry finish.
D - Plenty in this beer to keep you interested.
★ 358 characters
3.65/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cloudy, deep honey colour. A little head disappears soon, leaving some lacing to the bottom.
The smell is good. I liked it better from the bottle before I poured it. A bit of citrus and... graham cracker? That could be honey coming through, too.
Taste has just a hint of peppery spice, which is nice. A bit of citrus (grapefruit / more orange). Starts tasting a bit like a Sam Adams' Summer Ale as the bottle wears on.
Carb is sharp if held in the mouth for a couple of seconds. On regular drinks, it's fine. A bit of a bitter / dry finish. Not watery.
Quite drinkable.
★ 574 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cloudy, deep honey colour. A little head disappears soon, leaving some lacing to the bottom.
The smell is good. I liked it better from the bottle before I poured it. A bit of citrus and... graham cracker? That could be honey coming through, too.
Taste has just a hint of peppery spice, which is nice. A bit of citrus (grapefruit / more orange). Starts tasting a bit like a Sam Adams' Summer Ale as the bottle wears on.
Carb is sharp if held in the mouth for a couple of seconds. On regular drinks, it's fine. A bit of a bitter / dry finish. Not watery.
Quite drinkable.
★ 574 characters
Brakspear Oxford Gold from W.H. Brakspear & Sons plc
3.64
out of 5
based on 115 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500mL bottle (best before 30 June 17). Date stamp B6153. Served in a collins glass.
Appearance: Bright gold, approaching amber. Thin sudsy white head, fine strands and some thin sheets of persistent lacing.
Smell: Hint of fruit, little bit of butter,
Taste: Very much to style, but a bit hoppy. Herbal/leafy English-style bittering hops dominate, accented with a hint of butter and tea. Some underlying malt mixed in with some fruity esters.
Mouthfeel: Nice thickness with a prickly carbonation.
Overall / Drinkability: A nice English pale ale - probably one of the better ones I've had in the past few days. Nicely hoppy accenting the English style of hop. I suspect it would be even better on cask. I could have another if available.
★ 761 characters