hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Hop Garden Gold

Tap to rate

A golden pale ale with a balance of aroma and bitterness, fruity and hoppy, with a slight hint of fruit and sweetness. At 4.4% it sits in the easy middle of the Hogs Back range, a bright, drinkable ale from the Surrey brewery that grows part of its own hops just yards from the brewhouse. Brewed in Tongham since 1992.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyfruityclean
hoppy
fruity
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced noble hop character—floral and herbal notes with subtle citrus undertones from the brewery's own-grown hops.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hop Garden Gold

◎ Appearance

Hop Garden Gold presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a pale straw luminosity characteristic of the style. The head forms with moderate density and displays steady retention, leaving delicate lacing on the glass. Carbonation is evident and well-integrated, creating a lively visual presentation.

bright goldenclearpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced noble hop character—floral and herbal notes with subtle citrus undertones from the brewery's own-grown hops. A light fruity component emerges beneath, complemented by soft, clean Malz notes that provide foundation without dominating. The overall impression is fresh and inviting, with no off-notes or oxidative character.

noble hopsfloral, herballight citrusclean malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a balanced entry that favors hop bitterness and fruity esters in equal measure. Mid-palate reveals gentle stone fruit and a touch of sweetness from the Malz, while the noble hop bitterness—moderate at 20 IBU—builds steadily without aggression. The finish is crisp and refreshing, with excellent drinkability for its modest alcohol content.

balanced bitter-fruitystone fruit notesmoderate bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with hop bitterness lingering pleasantly on the palate. Aftertaste remains fruity and refreshing, fading smoothly without astringency or heaviness.

clean, drylingering hop character
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
78
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hop Garden Gold

More from Hogs Back Brewery

A over T
A over T
Barleywine
9%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Advent Ale
Advent Ale
Winter Ale
4.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Brooklands Gold Star
Brooklands Gold Star
Golden Ale
4.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Citrus Pale Ale
Citrus Pale Ale
Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
England's Glory
England's Glory
Golden Ale
4.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
English IPA
English IPA
English IPA
5.9%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Fairytale of New Pork
Fairytale of New Pork
Amber Ale
4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Farnham White
Farnham White
English Bitter
4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, fruity, bitter character as Hop Garden Gold will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →