Liquid Gold - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.74/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blue Monk. A lighter Belgian ale. Pours deep yellow to golden colour with a minimum head. Carbonation bubbles. Yeast is the characteristic, as it warms I can distinguish a tad of funk, spiciness featuring clove. True to style, but Something needed to distinguish itself in this style?

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2013 11:34:54 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

gotta love these 16 oz growlers! poured into a pint glass..

big head of white on top of a golden amber colored body that really shows its just. lots of carbonation can be seen through the light haze and it really sets it apart quite nicely.

aroma is light, pleasant and full of esthers of all different varieties, pears, grasses, cloves, hints of light grains and spices, really just a light and pleasant mix in every way possible. crisp and clean finish with no hint of alcohol in here at all, this was simply exactly what i was looking for in a mid night treat.

overall a sublimly light and clean sessionable ale

Serving type: growler

07-11-2011 03:09:48 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Captain Lawrence tasting room.

Pours a hazy golden color with a good white head that sticks around for awhile and then leaves some lacing on the glass. The nose is slightly sweet with some bready malt and also a bit of banana and clove. Yeasty spice is mild, but present. Flavor again is pretty good, but doesn't really do it for me. Mild fruit and bread. The body detracts from the taste, as it's really too full and a bit too sweet. I'd like this one thinner and dryer. Pretty good, but didn't live up to my expectations.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 12:03:21 | More by Thorpe429

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow, what a great surprise! Based upon the name I was expecting a standard golden ale but this brilliant Belgian-style golden ale blew that notion right out the window!

It pours a clear golden body beneath a dollop of white foam that holds fairly well before dropping to a standard collar. It leaves nice lacing at the outset of the glass, but little beyond that.

The nose offers the spicy and peppery yeasty notes of Chimay over a delicately sweet maltiness with some floral and spicy hops backing it up. A note of citrus weaves its way through, lending it a brightness that's quite welcoming.

The flavor offers delicate, subtly biscuity and lightly candyish (vanilla, honey) malt upfront, backed by notes of lemony citrus, yeasty pepper, and floral hops. It's well-balanced, and finishes dry with a gently lingering spicy-sweet malt note.

Very nice! Liquid Gold is not over-done like so many others. Superbly balanced and quite drinkable!

Serving type: growler

06-11-2006 00:49:39 | More by NeroFiddled

metter98

New York

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is slightly hazy golden yellow in color and has lots of fine particles visible floating in suspension and a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a two finger high dense white head that has excellent retention properties, consistently leaving a quarter finger high head covering the surface and a very thick coating down the sides of the glass.
S: There are moderate aromas of Belgian yeast in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has notes of apples and hints of cloves and other spices towards the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied, slightly smooth and a little dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't that difficult to drink and has a nice mixture of Belgian yeast and fruit flavors.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 23:06:05 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours from the growler'd bottle with a frothy, initially one-finger thick, pale, almost perfectly white colored head. The beer is a brilliantly clear, full gold color, that shows bright, yellow-gold highlights when held up to the light. Initially this smells of herbal, slightly lemon-like hops, but a deeper inspection reveals aromas of honey-like malt, grassy grain notes, soda-cracker aromatics and some light fermentation character. The fermentation character produces some fruit notes reminiscent of apples a distinct, yet subtle, note of metallic white-wine grape varietal and a sweet citrus aromatic. It also has a hint of phenolics, as well as a touch of ginger / peppery spice aromatics and a yeast-signature of earthy-spice note. Really the hops are the most noticeable note, but they in no way dominate the aromatic profile of this brew.

Fairly dry up front, but it does pick up some sweet malt notes reminiscent to honey and grain. Grassy, herbal hop notes are noticeable from the first and slowly morph into a biting, solid, mouth coating bitterness that lingers on in the finish. I should say that the bitterness is not any where near overwhelming, just the signature of an American brewer trying to put a personal signature into his interpretation of the style* (*whatever that means). The hop character towards the finish intermingles with spicy fermentation notes of pepper (also contributed by the carbonation, which has held up well), ginger and clove like turpenes. Light bodied enough to be quite drinkable, but it does have a soft body to it that is easily offset by the medium-light, yet persistent carbonation. As my palate gets used to the hop character a slightly tart fruit character becomes noticeable in the flavor; again notes of metallic white grapes (sauvignon Blanc, though more Chardonnay), a hint of pear and a touch of melon are noticeable especially towards the middle where the slight malt sweetness picks up a bit. The dry, grassy grain and soda cracker malt notes from the aroma are much subdued in the flavor, instead it has more of a sweet bready flavor. As the beer warms up a bit it picks up a touch more green/earthy spice character (if that makes any sense) and the complex fruitiness picks up a bit as well.

In a very rare occurrence for a bottle of this size, I am left wondering why I don't have more of this beer to continue drinking. This is a very solid brew, sort of a cross between a Pale Ale and a Belgian Blond; I like the fresh hop character here and the light, spicy / fruity yeast contribution works quite well. I really do like the more recent twist of including a significant hop presence in these characterful yeast driven styles (by both Belgian & American Brewers). I might have wished for a more rustic yeast and / or fermentation temperature regime, but that would most likely be pushing this beer out of reach of the average consumer & more than likely outside what the brewer was trying to accomplish. This beer is tasty enough that I wouldn't mind having this on tap as an every day beer, which is a soft way of saying this is quite tasty. If this beer had been less than 5% abv and still maintained the general flavor profile and balance, It would be perfection in a glass; it is a touch too strong to be that, but it still this is one damn good, more than the sum of its parts, just plain enjoyable brew.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Mrbendo kicks ass!

Serving type: growler

02-13-2008 02:03:06 | More by Gueuzedude

Gavage

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap during a Captain Lawrence promo night at High Street Grill.

Appearance: clear golden color with a short 1/2" head. Some spotty lacing develops.

Smell: yeast and lemon zest are up front, and a hint of spiciness lingers in the background.

Taste: big yeast, lemon citrus, pepper, hint of coriander, and a nice hop presence. This seemed to be in between a wit and belgian pale, and the flavor profile really works here.

Mouthfeel: crisp throughout. Brief yeast and lemon aftertaste. Lighter side of medium bodied.

Drinkability: superb. Easy to quaff, great flavor, and clear session beer. This is a beer worth seeeking out. Glad to see this in NJ.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2007 00:07:08 | More by Gavage

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Blind Tiger on a hot saturday afternoon.

Not sure why, but I mistook this for CL's tripel at first. The body was thick enough, though the flavor was a little mellow for a big abv beer. I guess that makes a good belgian pale with some body to it. The flavor was subtle and the kind that went on far through the aftertaste. The aroma was Hennepin-like with funky barnyard aromas and grassy hops. The taste started with a clean, sweet candi flavor, followed by a complex mix of spice, make that hot spice, with some pale grains coming through at the end. Finishing with a nice lingering bitterness. This is a well-made beer. Go forth and drink it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2007 03:14:08 | More by tempest

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clear gold with some head. Nose is nice and sweet. Flavor is equally as good being consistently sweet and never dropping off to anything sour, metallic, or negative at all. Feel is nice and smooth on the liquid with a bit of a thicker touch. Right level of bubble. Extremely drinkable. I kind of feel like this beer could be a gateway beer for people who are wary of Belgian brews. It is also my first trip into the world of Captain Lawrence, and I want more. Beautiful.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2007 09:30:23 | More by RblWthACoz

Billolick

New York

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fresh growler, picked up at the brewery today. Pours light golden almost clear with a slight but long lasting tiny bubble white head, leaves minor splotchy lacing after a vigorous swirl. Nose is of limes, pepper and Belgian yeast. This is an easy drinking, Belgian single/golden inspired ale. Notes of more citrus, especially lime, quinine and pepper. Crisp and refreshing, packs a punch at 6%. Moderate hops till a subtle dryness arrives in the finish. A delicate, complex, and well crafted ale from the newest player in the NY craft beer scene. Looking foward to trying other styles from Capt. L.!

Serving type: growler

02-04-2006 23:04:32 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 7/24/10 notes. Had at the CL brewery.

a - Poursd a nice golden color with almost no head or carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bananas, spice, yeast, and citrus hops and fruit.

t - Tastes of bananas, spice, yeast, and fruity malts.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation.

d - A pretty good Belgian style beer. Some nice banana in the smell and taste. Would try again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2010 01:27:57 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at SMBDC growler tasting thanks to BlessedBeBeer.

A: Light fizzy head, no lacing, semi clear lemon yellow golden color.

N: Belgian golden malts, light candi sugar, light yeast, aroma, golden malts, semi sweet, hint of aroma hops.

T: Golden Belgian malts, candi sugar, light yeast, toast and light bready malts, some fruity flavors from the yeast, light bitter light fruity hops, very light alcohol.

M: Med bodied, decent carb.

O: Pretty good, nice Belgian golden malts, bit of yeast on the nose doesn't help, nice light hop flavors, and nice Belgian flavors overall.

Serving type: growler

05-06-2011 02:11:47 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Screw-cap growler provided via trade by gpcollen1. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" white head over the slightly cloudy golden brew. Head recedes at a moderate pace, never really goes away, with a heavy coating of white lace. Aroma is light of sweet and spicy, not overdone, just right. Taste follows the nose, finding a nicely balanced road through the center of the Belgian-style pale neighborhood. Mouthfeel and drinkability are excellent, very smooth, and one of the most drinkable of the style that I have experienced.

Serving type: growler

10-29-2006 20:37:52 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to egajdzis for sharing this growler...
Appears a transparent light gold with a small white head that quickly fades into spottly lacing that's left around the edges of the glass.
Smell is estery, apricots, bubble gum, bananas, and nectarines.
Taste is watery, yeasty, light amounts of pils malt, and bubble gum flavors pulling through.
Mouthfeel is light bodied, easy drinking, mildly estery, and based in a light drinking Belgian brew. I hardly noticed the 6% abv. Went down nicely.

Serving type: growler

12-07-2007 02:43:56 | More by weeare138

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: on tap at Captain Lawrence, Elmsford, NY

Actually quite an excellent crack at a Belgian-style ale. Poured a clearish golden-yellow color with a small wispy white head that receded to a ringlet, leaving a few wayward streaks of lacing on the glass. Smell was loaded with Belgian goodness, yeasty, spicy, floral. Taste is simliar, bready, yeasty, notes of banana and stone fruit, peppery spice, floral hops, sweet honeyish malts...lots of flavor here. About medium in body, smooth, well-balanced, well-flavored, quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 23:22:05 | More by Rifugium

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a light copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a strong upfront noble hop with some notable yeast esters.

The taste consisted of a robust spicy hop with an earthy grainy malt. There was a solid doughiness at the finish.

The mouthfeel was of medium fullness with ample carbonation.

Overall an enjoyable and tasty ale. I would not have guessed it was a BPA though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2007 02:31:04 | More by plaid75

dirtylou

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on-tap, Rattle & Hum NYC

cellphone notes

appearance: served in a shaker pint - bright clear golden body (liquid gold almost), light white froth

smell: classic belgian yeast profile, white pepper, candy sugars, lemon zest

taste: i meant to order the extra gold (got that next instead), belgian yeast similar to chimay, lemon, citrus, white pepper, belgian sugars. Nice beer

mouthfeel: light and refreshing

drinkability: high

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2010 14:26:00 | More by dirtylou

FosterJM

California

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1402nd Review on BA
Bottle to Small Tulip
12oz

No bottle date

Thanks to Tony32408 for this extra

App- Looks more like a wild ale to me, bright, golden and clear. Has a nice 1-1/2 finger head that was very puffy. Only a couple dots of cling even with a heavy swirl.

Smell- There is many things going on in this glass. You get saison notes of wheat and dampness, you get the ale notes and the spices are very forward. A slight funk as well.

Taste- Nice beer. Good controlled chaos from a lot in the glass. The spices adds a nice flavor profile and the base beer is a bit crisp and clean.

Mouth- A nice medium body with a good crisp medium carbonation and residual hoppy/spice.

Drink- It was a nice little beer. The ABV sat about right but was more prevalant when the beer warmed.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 15:43:47 | More by FosterJM

LilBeerDoctor

New York

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed 4/14/08. On tap at the brewery. Pours a golden orange with a nice creamy white head. Aroma and taste of orange, citrus, spices. The flavors complemented each other very well. Very good beer, drinks smoothly. 7/4/7/4/14

Update 7/29/08: Growler from Big Z. Just as awesome as I first thought. Nice light, spritzy spices with some light fruits in the background. SO SO drinkable that I must improve its rating. 7/4/8/4/15

Another update 8/6/08: Another growler from Big Z (I can't get enough of this beer!). Got a lot of melon (melon rind, honeydew, cantelope) from this one. As well as more citrus. This beer has become my ultimate session beer; it is that awesome. In fairness to this exquisite brew, I must bump its rating yet again. 8/4/8/4/16 (4.0/5)

Serving type: growler

12-02-2008 04:01:06 | More by LilBeerDoctor

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sample from Growler courtesy of egadzis (thanks for this want list beer!).

Poured a lighter and clear yellow color with a small sized white head. Aromas of fruitiness, bananas, and light spices. Tastes of fruitiness, bready, citrus, and light spices. Lighter and 'refreshing'.

Notes from 11/29/07

Serving type: growler

11-10-2008 01:23:39 | More by hopdog

blackie

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a: deep golden color served in a tulip glass, capped with a dense white head that shows great retention

s: rich pale malt body - heavy on the green apple and pear aromas with a nice yeast presence that gives some mild phenols, soft herbal hop aroma

m: carbonation on the lighter side, med-full body, smooth

t: heavy pale malt flavors in delicate balance with an herbal hop profile, lots of apple and pear with undertones of sweet golden raisin, subtle yeasts add some spice, great flavor

d: drinkability is high

draft at Bierria Paradiso, DC

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 16:05:43 | More by blackie

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap in a half-yard at Richter's in New Haven:

A: Pure gold, with a one-inch pure white head. Lacing persists throughout half-yard pour. Nice-looking beer.

S: Smoothly sweet, a good balance of biscuity malt and fruity hops. Enough yeasty spiciness to keep things interesting.

T: Very smooth, the fruitiness of the yeast dominates over the hops bitterness and the dryness of the malt. A good, round flavor fully appropriate to the style.

M: Good carbonation, very smooth.

D: I had two half-yards without hesitation, and could have kept drinking.

Notes: Eminently drinkable Belgian pale; nothing amazing, but no complaints whatsoever; definitely the tastiest beer available by the half-yard at Richter's.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2009 00:32:33 | More by woosterbill

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap in a pint glass at Bridge View Tavern in Sleepy Hollow.

Appearance: light golden hue with a strong effervescence and a light haze. Head is a thin layer of white foam.

Smell: nice funky, lightly spicy aroma with a distinct saison quality. Smooth, clean and enticing.

Taste: sweet malt with a light saison-style funk. There's a floral quality here and a light chalkiness. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a good carbonation and creaminess. I like it.

Overall: an interesting Belgian style ale. I find it is more like a French saison, so ... perhaps it's a Franco-Belgian ale? In any case it is quite good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 16:44:55 | More by flagmantho

Gmann

New York

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a honey straw color with a smallish white head that had some moderate sized bubble action. Settles into a thick ring.

The aroma has a strong presence of coriander, which provides a spice and celery type aroma. There is some general floral brightness and a sugary sweetness. Coriander is too strong.

Again, the coriander takes a strong position. The celery is not quite as strong as in the aroma. There is a peppery spice and a noticable grassy flavor from the hops. The malt is sweet and is slightly bready. Some clove from the yeast. The beer has floral and a candi sugar sweetness. Flavorful but the coriander is too much.

Moderate feel with prickly carbonation. Sits sweet on the palate but does have a drying finish with a slight grassy bitterness. Good balance.

This is a flavorful BPA but it has too much coriander presence for my liking. I rather the yeast come through more.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 23:18:52 | More by Gmann

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Growler from a freshly tapped keg at the brewery, I usually go with the DIPA but I wanted to try something new.

A- Liquid gold is a few shades lighter than your average gold color. Up to light it has some yellow like hues. A vigorous pour yielded no more than a finger of loose white head which faded very quick, no lacing from this one.

S- Belgian influenced is a understatement, the nose on this screams belgian yeast giving off sweet scents, almost candi like. Under that bananers and some maltiness adding to the sweetness, giving off light bread.

T- A decent Belgian pale ale, nothing extraordinary though. I was kind of let down by this one. Belgian candi sweetness from the yeast and a lot of banana. Unlike others, I did not get much of a citrus flavor from this. The hops were light and don't stand out, they just sort of blend in with everything else. A little spice in the background.

M- Kind of weak. Liquid gold has a medium feel with not much carbonation going for it. A bit more would have helped the feel on this one. A bit flat, maybe it was the keg it came from, as I drank this asap. This does go down smooth with a light aftertaste. Easy drinking either way.

D- Low in ABV, the growler was easy to finish although I could of used some help & I love to share. I Just wish there was more to this. Im going to try the xtra gold and see what that has to offer.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2009 02:23:15 | More by onix1agr