Golden Nugget
The Defiant Brewing Company

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From:
The Defiant Brewing Company
 
New York, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.64 | pDev: 14.84%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
16
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 22, 2014
Added:
Jul 01, 2008
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by capra12:
Photo of capra12
Reviewed by capra12 from New York

3.7/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Reviewed at the Defiant Brewery with Speedwayjim and Stephy, served out of a pint glass straight from the large containers at room temperature.

Appearance: Ligth amber in color with little head that surprisingly left a nice spotty lacing.

Taste: Opens briefly with bitter hops as a subtle citrus comes in the middle. There bitter hops and the citrus profiles play back and forth towards the finish leaving a bitter hop aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium carbonation and warm :(

Drinkability: I would have this again but at the right serving temperature or at least one that is a few degrees cooler.
Dec 01, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by Will_Rivera from New York

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by petermethot from New Jersey

Jun 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by t0rin0 from California

Sep 19, 2012
Photo of tobelerone
Reviewed by tobelerone from New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at the brewery. Hazy amber, fluffy white head, average retention and lacing. Nose is balanced between a lightly sweet and toasty maltiness and moderate hops; floral and pine; herbal notes. Not too big or distinctive.

Flavor follows suit; the hops don’t exactly leap out of the glass; herbal and pine characteristics predominate; average bitterness; some sweet caramel malt balanced things out, but in the end the beer feels somewhat muddle and undefined. Lightly lingering bitterness in the aftertaste; finishes fairly dry.

Medium-light bodied, medium carbonation, crisp enough. Not particularly memorable, however.
Aug 13, 2012
 
Rated: 2 by Jenray from Texas

Jun 13, 2012
Photo of plaid75
Reviewed by plaid75 from New York

4.32/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at the brewery.

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

The smell featured a vibrant hop spice and a touch of caramel.

The taste was hop driven with earthy and spicey notes which were smoothed out by the soft doughy malt.

The mouthfeel was toward the lighter side of the style.

Overall a very tatsy and quaffable hoppy amber ale.
Sep 22, 2009
Photo of ffejherb
Reviewed by ffejherb from Pennsylvania

3.11/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Bar East, NYC, NY on 4/4/09.

A - Poured a clear amber/orange body with subtle carbonation and nice one-finger white head that settled to a patchy film and left some ornate lacing around the glass.

S - Muted aroma overall for a hoppy ale. Hops take on a grassy, herbal and mildly spicy character, while the malt is sweet and grainy.

T - Hops are slightly fruity and herbal, although a little medicinal and muddled overall. While not overly pleasant, the flavor isn't necessarily off-putting either. Kind of gritty and medicinal with some sweet malt character to balance.

M - Light to medium body with moderate carbonation and a syrupy, oily texture, although a bit watery overall. Mildly bitter on the palate.

D - Average amber ale that's not overly hoppy and unfortunately just a bit too medicinal for my tastes. Hop profile is a bit muddy overall and could use some tweeking.
Apr 06, 2009
Photo of Slatetank
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I had this on tap at the brewery in Pearl River NY. The bartender said it was their American Pale ale.

A - A blend of golden amber w/ quick falling white head. The ale has good clarity and modest lacing forms

S - A spicy aroma of hops w/ a hint of pine and mild malt in the nose

M - A spicy texture of hops and mild acidity w/ medium full carbonation and a slightly dry finish

T- Dry leafy and spicy hop flavors w/ gentle biscuit notes in the first tastes. A pine tasting hop as in the nose with a mellow sweet malt flavor backing it up

D - This ale is tasty and well brewed. I like the fact it is significantly hopped for the style and has balance along w/ session strength -5.2%
Mar 06, 2009
Photo of njthebestofme
Reviewed by njthebestofme from New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
i really liked this beer.. this ale had a nice yellow hue.. head was average but good retention.. smell was hoppy with hints of citrus.. taste was also a nice blend of hops bitter and citrus hints.. very refrshing and hit the spot for me on a lazy saturday.. great brew..
Mar 06, 2009
Photo of DavidSeanNJ
Reviewed by DavidSeanNJ from New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-Tap..

Served in a pint glass.

A- Dark amber color with some brown/red tint when held up to the light. Cream colored head about half an inch thick.

S- Smell was like malted candy. Serious malts going on here. Blended superbly with the hops.

T- I found this beer to be extremely fresh and tasty but nothing complex at all. This is a typical amber ale, but gets points because it is done right. Nice balance with the hops and malts. Finishes dry and somewhat bitter. Bready and citrusy.

M- Carbonation. Tingly. Refreshing.

D- Easy drinking beer right here. I was not blown away but I was surely enjoying my beer.
Oct 05, 2008
Photo of WayneRooneyFan
Reviewed by WayneRooneyFan from New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I started with a Muddy Creek Lager, which I enjoy immensely, but switched to Golden Nugget...after one glass, I wish that I had made the transition earlier.

Golden Nugget has an appealing orange-like color that almost leaves you with an impression that it won't hold up when in your mouth. The exact opposite is true.

The malty taste fills your mouth, but is not overwhelming to the point where you cannot distinguish the citrus-like elements.

Golden Nugget would be enjoyable on both warm and chilly days. It is very drinkable and will keep you coming back to Defiant for more.
Oct 02, 2008
Photo of cyberquog
Reviewed by cyberquog from New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice amber to reddish appearance. Smell is all about the hops. Taste is the right amount of hops with out being overly bitter, less hoppy than an IPA but more so than your average pale ale, pretty much just the way I like it. Taste is rounded out with a touch of malty sweetness. Drinkability is very high on this one. Overall quite tasty and recommended.
Sep 22, 2008
Photo of maddogruss
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
My friend picked up a growler for me from the brewery. Poured some into a glass mug.

A: Pours an amber body with a thick, white head with good retention and nice lacing.

S: A fairly malty smell with some slight, earthy undertones.

T: A slightly earthy taste with some malty undertones to balance. There was some hop bitterness noted in the aftertaste, which did well to balance the maltier taste.

M: A very smooth and full-bodied mouthfeel that was quite pleasant on the palette.

D: A fairly drinkable beer with a nice combination of mouthfeel and taste. The malt taste rounded out by a slight, hop bitterness and earthiness made for a nice brew that had me going back for more and left me quite upset when I ran out!
Aug 10, 2008
Photo of Lenny2884
Reviewed by Lenny2884 from New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice golden amber color with a good two finger thick white head. Lacing sticks nicely to the glass

Smells floral and citusy, slight honey smell as well. Smells like a west coast pale ale, similar to Sierra Nevada without the distinct cascade aroma.

Taste is again citrusy but has a nice malt sweetness background. The hops are definitely showcased, but the malt balance makes this very enjoyable. Bitterness is sufficient but not overpowering. Finishes dry.

Carbonation is slightly on the low side but makes it more poundable. Nice medium body mouthfeel.

Overall, a nice hoppy ale great for a long, hot summer day. To me this is more of a pale ale than an amber or red, but its still good. Very similar to Sierra Nevada but not quite as fruity and citrusy. Very sessionable. Cheers to Neil and the Defiant staff!
Jul 12, 2008
Photo of leif86
Reviewed by leif86 from California

3.86/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Golden is the right name for this. Has an orange hue to it as well. Very clear giving the brew a stark appearance. Offwhite head that leads to lacing that lingers nicely.

S: Malty. Smells a little earthy as well.

T: An superb balance of malt of hops - sweet with a slight floral taste and bitterness from the hops.

M: Well carbonated, but they don't over do it. The sweetness doesn't make it too syrupy.

D: Very pleased with this beer. I could definitely put this in my fridge if it was available in my area.
Jul 03, 2008
Golden Nugget from The Defiant Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 16 ratings