Hookarm's Golden Ale - Tasting notes

On the verge of slipping into depression over the loss of the vanilla porter, I decided to finally tap the Hookarm's Golden Ale.

While I can't pump my fists and shout "I'm da man!" I can say it's not bad. But compared to the porter that's not saying much.

Hookarm's Golden Ale

Appearance (0-3): brownish amber, cloudy with floaties--looks like hops flakes, and a moderatly thick head. 1 point
Aroma/Bouquet (0-4): Malt sweetness with no hop aroma. 1 point
Taste: Hop/Malt Balance (0-4): Malt sweetness replaced with bitter hops on back of tongue. Slightly sweet. 2 points
Aftertaste (0-3): hops linger lightly on the tongue. 2 points
Mouthfeel (0-3): Nice mouthfeel. Light but not wimpy. 3 points
Overall Impression (0-3): Again, this is an old recipe. Looking through my hindsight glasses, I thought this was a much better beer. But, and this is a big but, my technique has slipped a bit. There are floaties in the beer. But it tastes good. So I will drink it. I will enjoy it, and I will contemplate improvements. 2 Points
Total: 11 points

Depression still looms, but has receded on the horizon.

Actually, the reason this isn't hoppy is that I left out an ounce of hops. I found it in my pantry. Ooops.

Hookarm's Golden Ale - Keg Day

I kegged Hookarm's Golden Ale today. It is amber/orange with a grassy smell, probably the hops. It has a little of the extract twang that is common in my beers, because I don't do full wort boils. The hops are disappointing. I had hoped for more flavor but they have kind of mellowed out.

Overall, it's an okay beer when it's served warm and flat. We'll see what a week in the chill chest does.

Hookarm's Golden Ale - Brew Day

On September 29, I decided that I was tired of brewing black beers. Earlier in the week I found my old recipe stash, and remembered that I always liked one I called Hookarm's Golden Ale. Even though they didn't send me a glass, I enjoy Sam Adams, and I thought this tasted similar, according to my old notes.

ProMash Recipe Printout

Recipe : Hookarm's Golden Ale

BJCP Style and Style Guidelines
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03-A Light Ale, Blonde Ale

Min OG: 1.045 Max OG: 1.060
Min IBU: 15 Max IBU: 33
Min Clr: 2 Max Clr: 8 Color in SRM, Lovibond

Recipe Specifics
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Batch Size (GAL): 5.00 Wort Size (GAL): 5.00
Total Extract (LBS): 6.00
Anticipated OG: 1.051 Plato: 12.57
Anticipated SRM: 7.8
Anticipated IBU: 33.1
Wort Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar

% Amount Name Origin Gravity SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.3 0.50 lbs. Cara-Pils Dextrine Malt 1.033 2
8.3 0.50 lbs. Crystal 40 1.034 40
83.3 5.00 lbs. Light Dry Malt Extract 1.046 7

Hops

Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00 oz. Hallertau Pellet 4.50 22.0 60 min.
1.00 oz. Hallertau Pellet 4.50 7.4 20 min.
1.00 oz. Hallertau Pellet 4.50 3.7 5 min.

Yeast
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White Labs WLP051 California Ale V