Bottled BeerCast Awards – Gold Beers

One of our shortlistees, Arran Blonde

King Midas and Spandau Ballet always believed in it – and our third daily series of alternative SIBA shortlistings concentrates on Gold Beers. Golden ales, golden pale ales – light, hoppy thirst quenchers that were born for cask but do just as well in the bottle. The actual SIBA winner was Colonsay IPA (3.9%) – a subtle island beer which to my mind always tastes outdoorsy and sea-like (in a good way).

But what about other beers that could go in this category? Some of the potential ‘Bitters under 4.9%’ could fit into the Gold Beer pigeonhole – such as the mighty Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted (4.2%), one of the most widely-praised Scottish beers around the world (I’ve met more than one overseas beer drinker who stated it was their highlight of their beer trip to this country).

If we’re looking for Gold Beers, then what about Williams Brothers Gold (3.9%), Stewart Edinburgh Gold (4.8%), Fyne Ales Piper’s Gold (3.8%) and Broughton Border Gold (6.0%)?? All extremely good, summery Scottish bottled beers (if we can use ‘summery’ and ‘Scottish’ in the same sentence).

Two 5%abv offerings should also take place on our shortlist – Arran Blonde and Sinclair Atlas Nimbus, the former another great island beer, the latter still hopefully available following the closure of the Kinlochleven facility – production switching to Sinclair’s other brewery on Orkney.

Our final two Gold Beers are, for me, two of the very best that Scotland produces at the moment, in any bottled category – both head up this shortlist as great examples of the type. BrewDog Trashy Blonde – which people forget is only 4.1% – is fantastically hoppy at a strength that cries out for a session, and is really well balanced.

Fyne Ales Avalanche (4.5%) is probably in my top three Scottish beers of any description, and is simply stunning. A fantastic blend of citrus hop aromas and flavours, when I think of Gold Beer that’s what comes to mind. To me it’s the equal of Hop Back Summer Lightning, and is an absolute must on any alternative list of bottled Scottish Gold Beers

So here’s our shortlist for best bottled Scottish Gold Beer…which would be your choice? All are drinkable and moreish, and as you can probably tell from the previous two paragraphs I might lean towards Trashy Blonde and Avalanche…

Gold Beers (in abv order)
Fyne Ales Piper’s Gold (3.8)
Colonsay IPA (3.9)
Williams Bros Gold (3.9)
BrewDog Trashy Blonde (4.1)
Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted (4.2)
Fyne Alves Avalanche (4.5)
Stewart Edinburgh Gold (4.8)
Arran Blonde (5.0)
Sinclair Atlas Nimbus (5.0)
Broughton Border Gold (6.0)

* Let us know if you agree or disagree with our choices! If a beer isn’t in this list, it may be in one of the other categories as there’s plenty of crossover – check back tomorrow for the penultimate one – Speciality Beers