24 February 2018

Oliver’s Island Golden Ale (Waitrose) By @SpectreUK



Oliver's Island is situated two miles up the Thames in the London Borough of Hounslow. It's a 0.9 acre lump of trees that has an urban myth that Oliver Cromwell took refuge on it from a brief spell during the The English Civil War (between 1642 and 1651). A wooden toll building and barge was added in 1777 to charge boaters passing by on the river. A smithy and barge builders was added shortly afterwards, only to be knocked down through lack of use many years later. Anyway, enough history from Wikipedia…

Brewed by Fuller's this 4.5% volume golden ale was made with floral and citrus hops, golden malt, and orange peel was added during the brewing. This beer has me rather excited. I have a big tuna baguette and some sushi on the side for my dinner and I know from experience that orange peel beer, whether it's a wheat ale or golden ale goes very well with fishy meals. I reckon it's the citrus hops and orange peel that brings out the flavour in the fish. They usually go well with spicy dishes too for the same reason.

On opening there was a mixture of sweet golden malt, citrus hops, a little orange and then floral hops at the back of the smell. This is a shiny golden ale that reminds me of summer sun. I was a bit taken aback by the first taste. From the smell I was expecting big citrus flavours, however the sweet golden malt bashed into my tastebuds with those stronger floral hops like a barge crashing into a flowery island. Then come the citrus bitter kick and a little orange towards the aftertaste. This is a step away from the traditional orange peel beers I've tried in the past, and I'm not sure it'll go well with my fishy meal. Ah, well… I'll save it to savour later and pour myself an orange squash!

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