BREWER: Young’s, South-West London
STYLE: Blond Ale
ABV: 4.8%
VESSEL: 500ml
TWITTER: probably under Marstons
INSTAGRAM: youngsbeers
JYMI SAY’S…
This is a poor effort from start to finish from this iconic London brewery that has lost it’s soul over the past years and I have to say it shows in this beer.
I used to associate Young’s and their Ram Brewery with good quality no frills brews that just delivered time and time again. Young’s brewed possibly one of the first ales I ever consumed properly by way of purchasing at a pub. I was cutting about in Kew when the reason I wasn’t driving was not because I was drinking (if you know what I mean). I remember enjoying the Young’s run pub very much and chilling outside in a beer garden supping on Young’s ales and thinking, ‘this is bloomin nice you know’.
So to say I was disappointed with pretty much everything on offer here from London Gold was pretty accurate.
The packaging is limp and lifeless. Just because you stick a few silhouetted landmarks on the label doesn’t automatically mean the packaging will pass muster. Especially if those landmarks are geographically inaccurate as well looking like knock off imitations of what they are supposed to be representing. The colouring and fonts used are also a shambles. Where’s the effort? Where’s the passion? Where’s the soul?
The ale itself really is nothing special. In fact it is nowhere near special… it’s somewhere between very average and awful.
The nose though floral and zesty has a background hint of spilt petrol on a fuel station forecourt. Not too sure where that sits on the aroma wheel?
Once in further London Gold really did start to get to the point of letting me down. I’ll do a list (I love a bloody list I do)…
Harsh in mouth.
Faint taste of hops.
Faint bitter tone.
Faint citrus back drop.
Weak to finish.
Aftertaste almost non-existent.
If you’re looking for positives.. there are none.
I can’t help but feel if this beer had been developed in it’s original SW London home it would never have made it off the testing table, out the door and to the consumer.
Not good enough.
Jymi’s Rating: 44%
SAMMY SAY’S…
Sammy’s Rating: 71%
MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 57.5%
MOB review next weekend: FAR BEYOND by ODYSSEY BREW CO.
MUSE ON BOOZE 