BJCP 12A · Pale Commonwealth Beer
British Golden Ale
A refreshing golden British ale with light, bready malt and fruity or floral hops. England's summer alternative to lager.
British Golden Ale by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 3.8 – 5.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 20 – 45 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 2 – 5 SRM4–10 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.038 – 1.053on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.006 – 1.012on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What British Golden Ale is like
A pale, light, refreshing ale with the hops up front over a very restrained malt. It's dry and bitter, with floral, citrusy or fruity aromas. It was created as a cask beer to win over lager drinkers.
Appearance
Straw to golden, very clear. Low to moderate white head.
Aroma
Moderate to high hops, floral, herbal, citrusy or fruity depending on the variety. Light malt with bready or biscuity notes and some fruity esters.
Flavor
Medium to high bitterness, with pronounced hop flavor and a light malt that barely balances it. Some fruity esters. The finish is dry and bitter, with a hoppy aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-light body. Low to moderate carbonation, higher in bottles.
Where British Golden Ale comes from
It appeared in England in the late 1980s, when some breweries wanted to attract lager drinkers with a pale, refreshing ale. Hop Back's Summer Lightning is the most often cited pioneer.
Ingredients
Very pale English malt, with little or no caramel malt. English hops or, more and more often, American hops and hops from elsewhere. Clean English ale yeast and water with some sulfate.
Brew it yourself
How to brew British Golden Ale at home
Use almost nothing but pale malt and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) with a well-flocculating English yeast. Put most of the hops in late in the boil. The classic mistake is adding caramel malt for body and ending up with something that tastes like a bitter.
Food pairing
Goes well with grilled fish, salads and fresh cheeses.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Hop Back Summer Lightning
- Exmoor Gold
Frequently asked questions
How strong is British Golden Ale?
Between 3.8% and 5.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is British Golden Ale?
It has 20 to 45 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is British Golden Ale?
Straw to gold: 2 to 5 SRM (4 to 10 EBC).
What food pairs well with British Golden Ale?
Goes well with grilled fish, salads and fresh cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Ordinary Bitter, American Pale Ale and Kölsch.
If you like British Golden Ale, try these
Classification and statistics: official British Golden Ale guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.