Beer Review: Thoroughbred Gold

It's beer o'clock in my household.

Tonight's choice was Thoroughbread Gold, because it was on offer.



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The first sip of this told me it was going to be strong and powerfully flavoured. I realised that I'd become a bit of a beardy ale drinker when I recognised the flavour. Sure enough, it has Fuggles in it. Lovely taste, strong kick and a nice easy drink at a 3.7% ABV. The colour is indeed golden and the light play is great if you give it a moment. So, an attractive drink that tastes like it wants to go out for a meal or a long walk. I can imagine this being the start of a journey rather than the end. There's something medieval about it - like mead.

There's a satisfying fizz to the beer that was poppy without being fizzy or overpowering, it kept it on the tongue long enough to get a flavour and keeps the stomach contentedly warm when it gets down there. A good smell, not too heavy and not too yeasty, allows you to take long slow swigs or quick sips between dialogue on the telly. I can see why they call it 'thoroughbred' because it's a quick beer. Best way I have to describe it.

This is better than the Banks's Bitter (here) I had last week but sufficiently different to Leffe Blonde (here) that they aren't in competition. It's a summer beer - enjoy in the sunshine, under a tree, with company that need not be too close. Have a laugh, play a pub quiz, maybe risk a pound on the slot machine but don't expect to win anything - do it for the laughs you'll have instead. Much the same as the beer itself: understated but nevertheless good to have around.