Old Golden Hen - Greene King / Morland Brewery

breakingbland

Michigan

3.44/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle (not dated) into a pint glass.

Appearance: Poured a clear golden.

Aroma: Some skunkiness (as seems typical for Morland) and a piney hoppiness but virtually no malty aroma.

Taste: The skunkiness did not appear in the taste. Hops predominate over the malt, but I wouldn't call this a hoppy beer. The hop flavor has a bright grapefruit character. There is a slight maltiness sweetness. A slightly sweet bitterness lingers.

Mouthfeel: Clean with a medium body. Appropriate carbonation. Nothing special.

Overall: This was the fourth beer from a Morland "hen house" four-pack. Though it is fairly good, it is my least favorite. It is a refreshing beer (as the label says) and one that I might have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 11:25:32 | More by breakingbland

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.15/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Thought I would take a shot on this since it was on special for $3/pint and I'm always up for British session ales. Clear gold (aptly named) with a thin white head that nearly disappears. Oddly fruity - the mix of English yeast with Galaxy hops is certainly unique - lime stands out along with some peach and a grassy herbal note. Malt is minimal with a light graininess and a hint of corn. Just a hint of butter at the finish. Not a bad beer if you are looking for something low ABV. It was interesting to taste Galaxy hops in something besides a big, aggressive American ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 22:24:33 | More by bump8628

ONUMello

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Golden color with a 1/2-finger head that settles to a fine lacing
S: Nice herbal aromas along with a bit of bitterness and lightly toasted malt
T: Again herbal, some pleasant grassy hops & a nice malt backbone
M: Medium-bodied, crisp
O: Very solid. Nice crispness & moderately complex flavors. A nice session beer with the low ABV

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 19:11:58 | More by ONUMello

droomyster

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden copper body with a small white head that quickly settles to a collar. Aromas are very biscuity with brighter notes of a citrus stand. Taste is lightly earthy and wet leafy, and finishes light breakfast tea dressed with a spot of lemon. Medium light body and easy drinkability make it a nice session ale whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 02:53:15 | More by droomyster

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I bet it still tastes fine... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear copper-brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises light lemon peel, fluffy biscuit, light honey, light greens, and a hint of skunk (damn glass...). The taste brings in more of the same, but with a deeper vein of greens, this time closer to tobacco than anything. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, an alright little bitter, but nothing all that special.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 19:13:33 | More by TMoney2591

barczar

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant golden brown with a half inch ivory head that dissipates somewhat quickly, leaving spotty lacing.

Skunk and buttery popcorn open the aroma, with toasted, bready malt and a hint of caramel and floral hops rounding out the profile.

Flavor reveals more herbal and floral hop character, backed by bready malt, a touch of citrus, and fresh cut grass. The finish is fairly bitter and herbal.

Body is moderate, with carbonation a touch on the high side, and a slightly astringent finish.

Minus the skunk character, this is a great bitter. Damn clear bottles. Good herbal hop character, lightly toasted caramel malt, and nice bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 23:00:46 | More by barczar

UCLABrewN84

California

3.13/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle pour at the BevMo Holiday Beerfest held at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a clear honey orange with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, sugar, and a slight skunky aroma. Taste is much the same with a mild hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an average beer but it's drinkable for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 06:50:32 | More by UCLABrewN84

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.43/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a small snifter. Fluffy white head, medium retention atop a very clear golden body. Go figure, its perfectly golden. Aroma is lightly hoppy with bready/biscuity malt aroma, mild sweetness, very pleasant and inviting. Taste is light caramel and light bitterness. Not a lot going on but nothing bad going on. Very easy to drink, I'm sure quite sessionable to the average English drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 04:26:44 | More by KickbacksSteve

mdfb79

New York

3.1/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From 10/06/12 notes.

a - Pours a deep golden orange color with once inch of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of sweet corn, vegetables, wheat, grains, and bready malts. Not skunked at all, but pretty average overall, with not a lot going on.

t - Taste mirrors the nose pretty closer; not much going on other than some sweet corn and grains. Some wheat, bready malts, and dough. Not skunky, but not very good.

m - Light body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a pretty average beer; just not a lot too it. Doesn't smell or taste bad, but doesn't smell or taste good either. Wouldn't seek this one out.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 19:37:49 | More by mdfb79

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Beer Authority in New York, NY

A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with some light hints of gold and significant amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall off-white head that reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of malts, fruity yeasts, and some floral + herbal hops.

T: Slightly sweet with some flavors of honey in addition to the malts. There is a moderate amount of fruity yeasts and very light amounts of floral + herbal hops which contribute light bitterness that fades quickly.

M: Very slightly heavier than light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink with the light body and low ABV but yet still quite flavorful. Definitely a sessionable beer that reminds me of sitting in the pub in the UK after work.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2012 02:59:57 | More by dbrauneis

rangerred

Tennessee

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

clear 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear dark gold with a one finger white head. The head fades rather quickly but leave ok lacing.

Really no skunk in the aroma which surprised me a little with the clear bottles.

Caramel and toast on the nose with a little bit of corn. Fruity hops that definitely take on a tropical tone. The galaxy hops really show themselves.

The flavor on this is really great. Tropical fruit right from the get-go but there is a wonderful malty backbone. Toast and caramel underneath with some pale malt. A little bit of pipe tobacco too. Bitterness is moderate with the passion fruit lingering throughout. Mouthfeel is light but makes the beer extremely drinkable.

Overall, a wonderful, flavorful session beer that I could drink all day. If I could pick this up locally and it was cheaper it would be a go to beer for me. US breweries really need to take a closer look at this style.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 23:52:46 | More by rangerred

aasher

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a light bodied bright gold in color with a beautiful two finger, white and soapy head. The nose is light as expected. There is light slightly sweet malt and a touch of honey. The galaxy hops that the back of the bottle references are only slightly recognizable in the flavor but absent in the nose. It's mild as it should be. It is refreshing though. It's very light in body and very drinkable. If this were in six packs it would sell very well. Good ESB.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 01:13:07 | More by aasher

metter98

New York

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: The beer is crystal clear and has a deep yellow hue and a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin bright white head that quickly faded away, leaving some lacing on the surface and a narrow collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of floral and herbal hops in the nose along with some notes of fruity yeast.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has some hints of honey. A light amount of bitterness is present.
M: It feels a bit more than light-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is easy to drink given its light body but still manages to pack in a good amount of aroma and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 14:52:54 | More by metter98

Manoftyr

New York

4.15/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance-Pours a beautiful golden amber into the imperial pint, good white head rises to about a finger and a half then settles down to a film leaving nice lines of lacing down the side. All in all it looks spectacular.

Aroma-A lightly tropical, almost soapy but not in a bad way, hoppy smell is first forward which I'm supposing is the galaxy hop, beneath that is a blanket of light biscuity, toffee-like malt. Straightforward, clean and simple.

Taste-Grainy and lightly bitter upfront, the galaxy hop steals the show mid-palette with mixed tropical notes and lingers all the way into the finish which is crisp and dry.

Mouthfeel-Light bodied with medium-high levels of carbonation; works well.

Overall-Just a well done session strength bitter here, hope to see this around more since stuff this good at such a low ABV is pretty rare here in the US.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:36:19 | More by Manoftyr

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

2.9/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 500ml clear glass bottle with a BB of Aug 2012. The label mentions that this is hopped with Galaxy.

Poured into a straight pint glass. A clear golden-amber colour with good carbonation. Forms a decent head of frothy white foam that disappears after a minute or two. Aroma of light malt with hints of stewed hops, ale yeast, mild fruitiness and a fair whiff of buttery diacetyl. Meh.

Tastes of light malt with a dry finish. Notes of stewed hops and subtle aromatic fruitiness. Hints of yeast and a distinct note of diacetyl. Little bitterness, but quite dry upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is light and tingly, but rather thin. Somewhat astringent. Aftertaste of fruitiness and harsh stewed hops.

Decidedly average - another bland golden ale from a big brewery. The diacetyl is particularly unwelcome; it spoils the drinking experience. There are faint hints of aromatic hops, but I can't say that the Galaxy really shines through. In summary, it's dull - give it a miss.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 23:03:29 | More by jazzyjeff13

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.8/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pint served in a footed Adnams shaker. Small head, very clear. Amber colour very much like apple juice. Hoppy citrus smell. Tasted of citrus fruits with a nice balanced bitter finish. There's more than enough to keep me interested even at a low adv. Smooth mouthfull. Overall I'd say a very good session beer.

Serving type: cask

11-04-2011 18:36:53 | More by jonb5

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.68/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear 500ml bottle, best before Aug 2012, poured into an 'Abbot Ale' glass tankard in Oct 2011.

Golden light yellow body, very clear. The head didn't last, large bubbles at first but soon nothing but a hint and half a collar.

Crisp hoppy aroma, yeasty too. The label askes for the beer to be served cold, very unusual for a UK bitter, I'm sure the smells would have been stronger if the beer had been warmer.

The beer is dominated by the hop content, the malts staying just below the surface and only coming out midway through the mouthfeel. I enjoyed the beer and although I prefer sweeter brews normally, this hoppier bitter was both refreshing and easy to drink.

I'm as quick as anyone to slag off Greene King, but credit where its due: this isn't a bad beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 01:04:55 | More by BlackHaddock

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Recently purchased at the Waitrose supermarket, this is the latest addition to the Morland
“Old Hen” line of products produced by Greene King of Bury St. Edmunds; coming in a 500ml slim clear bottle, BB July 2012, served cool in a straight imperial pint glass. Notes: the Galaxy hop variety is used in this brew, says the beer label.

A: pours a clear golden hue with rather lively carbonation consisting of both tiny and huge bubbles, topped with a cream-white fluffy beer head that quickly retreats to a thin, lasting sheet.
S: rather pungent aroma of hops dominates the nose, hinting at un-ripe guava fruits and sweet flowery scent, backed by a substantial body of pale malts with pleasant sweet edge to it. Pleasant and hoppy, if not lacking further complexity.
T: quite effervescent, the foretaste gives a mouthful of yeasty+citric-fruity+zesty flavour with maltiness tuned rather softly at the back; turning mildly chewy and dry in the aftertaste, showing a decent integration of hop nectar & bite with an unimposing pale malt body, ensued by a lingering floral edge in the end.
M&D: the flavour of hops treads lightly on a medium body, while the lively carbonation at times strikes as a bit too much to my liking, an effect retreating as the drink goes. Overall, this is an unexciting but decently-made golden ale, easy enough to drink with a moderate level of hop bitterness & taste to offer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 20:38:26 | More by wl0307