Founders announces Solid Gold Lager

PUs a great beer if you can find it fresh.

 

If anything, I'm finding Solid Gold a bit lacking in "fizziness" - if one considers "fizzy" a synonym for carbonation in general.

 

I always took "fizzy" to be a pejorative description for "large bubbles." Perhaps Solid Gold is kraeusened like Old Style--I mean Budweiser.

 

I like it. Its definitely not a carbon copy of Budweiser as it has more of a hop presence and more flavor. If you want to crush a bunch of non macro beers its a good option imo.

 

I think it's really good. Twenty IBU's is about what i like.

 

I posted the below earlier today in the New Beer Sunday thread:

A “gold standard” or is it “fool’s gold”!?!

Founders recently came out with a new AAL that they brand as Solid Gold. Below is some marketing jargon for this beer from the Founders website:

“Our brewery was built on an attitude of no regrets. An attitude of taking risks to bring the best beer possible to our fellow renegades and rebels. Never brewing to style, but always brewing what we want to drink. Our take on a classic, Solid Gold is a drinkable premium lager brewed with the highest quality ingredients. Challenging what a lager can be? That’s something we won’t regret.”

Well, isn’t that special!?!

@Urk1127 started a BA thread and he provided more substantive information of:

"4.4 percent ABV golden lager brewed with lager yeast, corn and lemondrop hops. The new lager is a revamped version of a beer that has been pouring in the Founders taproom “for years” and will be a year-round release"

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/founders-announces-solid-gold-lager.542715/

I have had beers in the past that featured Lemondrop hops but to the best of recollection they were all ales. This will be my first time drinking a lager which features this hop.

Below is a description of Lemondrop hops courtesy of Hopsteiner:

“The name truly says it all. Lemondrop offers a "unique lemon-citrus character with a pleasant aroma." The bright citrus and subtle herbaceous notes are perfect for sessionable beers. While ales tend to bring out her sweeter side, Lemondrop is delicate and refined enough for quality lagers.”

https://www.hopsteiner.com/variety-data-sheets/Lemondrop/

But wait, there is more!!

I thought it would be worthwhile to drink this new beer from Founders as a side-by-side tasting with Hamm’s. A battle of ‘old school’ vs. ‘new school’?

Served in my Spiegelau Lager glass:

Appearance:

Founders Solid Gold: Golden colored with a BIG white head. This beer has good head retention and forms a bit of Belgian Lace as the beer is consumed.

Hamm’s: Straw colored and brilliantly clear accompanied by a BIG white head. This beer has good head retention and forms a bit of Belgian Lace as the beer is consumed.

Aroma:

Founders Solid Gold: There is a subtle but notable aroma here that is reminiscent of ‘soapy’ to me. I am not picking up any lemon-like aromas.

Hamm’s There is a subtle, pleasant grainy aroma.

Taste:

Founders Solid Gold: The flavor pretty much follows the nose with a subtle but notable flavor which reminds me of ‘soapy’. There is a low bitterness

Hamm’s: The flavor follows the nose with a nice, pleasant grainy flavor. The one word that pops into my mind is “clean”. There is a low bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

Founders Solid Gold: Light body, medium carbonation with a dry finish.

Hamm’s: Light body, medium carbonation with a dry finish.

Overall:

Founders Solid Gold: On the plus side this beer has a notable hop aroma/flavor to it. On the non-plus side the aroma/flavors that is there does not exactly hit my palate’s ‘sweet spot’.

Hamm’s: A very cleanly brewed AAL beer with a light, pleasant grainy flavor.


I do not typically bring up economics here but since we are discussing AAL beers, and these beers are typically economically priced I figured I would mention:

· The Founders Solid Gold (12 ounce cans) was priced at $8.99

· I purchased the single can of Hamm’s (16 ounce can) for $1.00. I suspect that the 6-pack price for these 16 ounce cans would be less than 6 bucks.

Everybody will have their own viewpoint when it comes to price but it seems to me that the Founders Solid Gold is priced a bit too high.

If I was at a neighbor’s Picnic party and the three beers available to drink were Hamm’s, Founders Solid Gold and Bud Light my selection in order would be:

1. Hamm’s
2. Founders Solid Gold
3. Water

Cheers!

 

Saw SG for $14.99 plus tax in the 12x15 size. Since I can get most of the Founders 15's and other 15's for the same price I dont see this being a beer I buy.

Hamms is right about .45 a can. I like it and its a staple for me and it helps me get my average per unit to $1 or less. Warsteiner Pils is $16.99 24x330 and dab in the 24x500 size is $18.99.

There's not really anything Founders can do to get me to buy this beer besides drop the price, a lot.

Enjoy

 

Yeah, at $8.99 a 6-pack or $14.99 a 15-pack I am of the opinion that Founders Solid Gold is not a good deal. I personally would purchase Hamm's instead.

I suspect that some beer consumers who prefer to buy craft might be willing to pay the extra bucks for Solid Gold?

Cheers!

 

If it makes a difference Wegman's has been selling the SG sixers for $7.99. When I take that price and compare it with some of the AALs on their shelf it's not a bad deal. But I do see both of your points, though.

 

Grabbed a six pack of this yesterday and had one last night... I really like this! For a no-frills, clean lager it was really nice. I pick up some of the corn notes, reminiscent of a cream ale, but it also had a nice delicate grainy malt flavor as well. Had it alongside two other similar options (Sam '76, Abita 30/90) and it was my favorite of the trio. I didn't pick up any soapy notes or anything like that as mentioned above.

I see myself buying this all through summer, honestly. It's nice to step back at times and just enjoy a light lager. Won't be a hit with the Haze Bro's or Pastry Stout fan clubs, but it's a nice offering for those who can appreciate the entire spectrum.

 

I've been drinking a decent amount of solid gold 15 packs for like $14. I wouldn't compare it to hams but more in line with regional craft brewery lagers. Not going to claim it is better than Victory, Sly Fox, Devils Backbone or Blue Point but it does the trick when you need a solid lager. The price puts it above those previously mentioned when considering purchasing lagers.

 

I didn't like it at all. I drank 9 or 10 this weekend and was disappointed. The body
was watery and the carbonation seemed off. A moderate pour produces a nice
head that quickly dissipates but when you drink the beer it seems lacking in
mouthfeel. I also didn't like the hops, they leave a lingering bitterness that while
not unpleasant isn't very good either.

I would rather drink BMC than Solid Gold if we are comparing AALs. For better
beer options I'd go with offerings by Sierra Nevada, Jack's Abby, Saranac and
various German and Czech breweries.

 

Well, you certainly gave it a conscientious try here.

I still have 4 cans of my four pack left. I intend to 'age' these beers with the hope that the flavor fades in these beers.

Cheers!

 

@JackHorzempa looks like Hamms is a preferred choice by many. I don't recall ever having it so I'll have to give it a go some time:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-hamms-wins-again-20180313-story,amp.html

 

No reason to buy this when Genny Bock is the same price for a case.

 

I am looking forward to it. I have to say that there are many times that I do not feel like a stout or an IPA. Sometimes I just want a "beer". It just might be what I am looking for.

 

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts if you do so.

I would just emphasize that you consider this beer within the context of the AAL beer style.

Cheers!

 

Had my 1st one tonight & am thinking the same. Higher level of carbonation would make this a really good beer.

 

Had a pint yesterday at the pub and liked it, but the following kinda sums up my general feelings about it: