Owens Golden Eagle Ale

Brewed by Owen OLearys
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Natick, Massachusetts USA

Had this in the sampler too, I thought it was way too hoppy and too similar to the red and the ipa. I’d like to think I can tell the difference in styles but they pretty much all blur the line.

On-tap at the Natick location. Part of a sampler, trying to do my part and explain the differences in beer styles to my woman. Probably a typical and obvious offering to attempt to convert a drinker of A-B products. Hoppy though.

Draught pint at Owen O’Learys 4/24/06. Pours a bright golden color with a white fluffy head. Nice lacing throughout the glass. Nose is lightly hoppy with some grainy malt tones. Flavor has some light malty flavors nad had more of the hop presence throughout. Hops were very prevelant and controlled the beer.

On draught at the Framingham/Southboro location, 5/6/2005. Pale-gold, small, rapidly dissipating white head. Aroma of light grass and hay, some grain husks. Flavor is very watery, with a fleeting malt sweetness, low bittering hops, mainly just a hint of grassiness. Finish is just chalk full of soapiness. Once you note the soap, the beer becomes very difficult to finish, as the soap really stands out. Light body, mostly attenuated, lively carbonation. 3/2/3/1/6

Rerate. Wow, this is pretty much a completely new beer. Much more malt body, gives a firmer texture on the palate, and while the carbonation is still too heavy, there is NO soap! Hops are aromatic, of light lemon and herbs, with low bitterness in the flavor. Some minor fruitiness gets swallowed up early, and there is a touch of light honey, with plenty of barley flavor on the end as well. The head was retained throughout the entire pint and even left large lacing. Score is for this version.

Has a light golden color and a lightly hopped smell. Taste was pretty watery and very Budweiserish. Overall I did not like this beer too much, in fact most of the beers I tried from this place did not sit well with me.