Gossamer Golden Ale - Half Acre Beer Company

AgentZero

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pale, cloudy golden color with a nicely sized white head that left some attractive lacing.

S - Very grassy and florally hoppy. You get some sweet malts, and a tiny bit of yeast with some fruit notes.

T - Pretty muted taste, nothingly strong. Nice grassy taste with a sweet/bready malt backbone and some hints of yeast.

M - Crisp and light, works well for the style.

D - Highly drinkable, I'm not a big fan of this style of beer, but it is a pretty good take on it and easy to get down.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2010 16:53:06 | More by AgentZero

paco1029384756

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a lightly cloudy golden color with a tiny white head.

Scent of sweet malts, bread, and bitter hops. A simple and effective scent.

Taste fresh bready grain, lemongrass, and some hops. As with the scent, this is a no frills beer, but that doesn't stop it from being damn good.

Light bodied and fairly crisp, not too thin, not too full, refreshing.

Serving type: can

04-11-2010 01:13:01 | More by paco1029384756

Ineedabeerhere

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Wow, many thanks for this growler, Dave! Please send more! From notes on 3.26.

Pours a decently clear, golden-yellow straw color, big white foam subsides to nothing. A spot of lace or two cling to the tulip.

Something weird was in the aroma... hiding underneath the hay and grassy hops. I couldn't quite figure it out and it wasn't appealing at first, but then the taste revealed it. Pretty distinctly sourdough bread contributing a little tanginess. Crackers and a little lemon rind. Really pleasant once I figured that out. Some grassy hops in the finish and just supremely drinkable. It really grew on me as I kept refilling my glass. I could drink this all day. Extremely flavorful and palatable for a beer of such small stature. Impressive.

Serving type: growler

04-03-2010 22:38:47 | More by Ineedabeerhere

jeffthecheff

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A nice deep gold/light gold color with a very nice, tight white head. Lacing and retention are both great.

The aroma is initially hoppy with delicate grassy and fruity notes. A little bit of hay like grain/bread in the back. Yeast character is minimal.

A small bit of initial sweetness is up front with a light, dry finish. The most prominent character is sourdough bread. Low bitterness but with a nice, delicate hop flavor. It simply tastes like fresh beer made with high quality ingredients.

The mouthfeel is very dry and light without being lifeless. The carbonation is at a high, refreshing level. I'm glad I got to drink a low abv beer that wasn't boring, even in between all the big stuff we were pouring this night. I would kill this growler no problem on my own. This was a good American style session beer, or "imperial session" for the English blokes.

Serving type: growler

03-28-2010 14:33:15 | More by jeffthecheff

Maction

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Transparent gold, with a hint of orange in color, big foamy head that collapses into a pillow and leaves big rings of lace.

S: Mild lemon verbeena, hazy grain, fairly big aroma for a "session" beer.

T: Front flavor is sweet lemon in step with nose, then grains like cracked wheat and nutty barley.

M:  Light but not watery, well carbonated.

D:  So drinkable, and designed to be that way at around 4%(according to the brewer).  I could kill a growler by myself on drab evening.

Notes: This beer is probably too hoppy to be considered a bitter or mild, so I guess the brewery defined it as a "session ale."  I see it's listed as an American Blonde here, instead of any of those. I just hope they brew more in the warmer months. We need more flavorful low alcohol beers.

Serving type: growler

01-16-2010 04:55:26 | More by Maction

OttoBomb

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz. growler poured into a (tulip) pint glass (December 9, 2009). This is the first glass from the growler which was filled just 20 minutes ago, so I'm reviewing the first and freshest glass.

Eyes: Pours a very nice clear amber/gold color. A two finger light fluffy head appears. Head retains well with good lacing.

Nose: A nice piney hop aroma wafts up, there is just a tiny hint of malty sweetness, but only on deep inhales.

Tongue: Wow! A very nice clean, pine hop flavor that mimics the aroma. There is a very low malt presence, but one isn't required here. A nice flavor profile overall, which is not aggressive in any way, but makes a good statement. Quite smooth, with no bitter aftertaste.

Mouth: Very high marks here, smooth, evenly carbonated and good body.

Libation: What can I say? This is an excellent ale. It has all the characteristics of what I'd want a great sessionable lager to be. Clean, drinkable and a complex flavor profile that does not try to assault the palate. It's unfortunate that so little of this was produced, it would be nice to see Half Acre offer this one again. Let's hope they do!

Serving type: growler

01-12-2010 09:26:54 | More by OttoBomb

jayhopkins23

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great beer, pours a bright golden hue. Thick, rocky white head. Intensely and pleasantly dry-hopped; not overwhelming. Very little malt in the aroma. Mouthfeel is fresh, satisfying and fufilling but not heavy or crisp, just right. This beer has some legs to it, very enjoyable. Hops stay with you throughout, fruity, citrusy, not dry. Great beer...not surprising from the guys at Half Acre, they're off to a great start. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2010 04:05:40 | More by jayhopkins23