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Kokanee Gold

Labatt Brewing Company
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🌍 Canada · Amber Lager · One of 15 Amber Lagers in hopIQ

Launched in 1990 as a fuller counterpart to standard Kokanee, Gold is built on four malts and western-grown North American hops. It pours deep gold to light amber, with caramel and toasted bread in the nose. The malt carries through as a soft caramel sweetness, set against a moderate, slightly herbal bitterness, and the body is rounder than the original while the finish stays clean.

ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all Amber Lager alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp mouthfeel.

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Amber Lager.
Hop character
herbal
Malt character
caramel
malty
toasty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Canadian Lagers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kokanee Gold

Appearance

Kokanee Gold presents a deep gold to light amber hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head forms with moderate density and displays good retention, leaving fine lacing on the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is visible and lively, contributing to a crisp visual presence.

deep gold to amberclear and brightgood head retention

Aroma

The nose opens with prominent caramel and toasted bread notes, backed by a subtle herbal character from western North American hops. Soft malty undertones provide roundness to the bouquet without veering into astringency. The overall aromatic profile is clean and approachable, inviting further exploration.

caramel, toasted breadherbal hop characterclean and malty

Taste

Entry reveals a soft caramel sweetness that carries the four-malt foundation across the palate with pleasant fullness. Mid-palate develops a moderate, slightly herbal bitterness that balances the malt without overwhelming it, creating a measured interplay. The body is rounder than a standard amber lager, offering smooth texture alongside crisp refreshment.

caramel sweetnessmoderate herbal bitternesssmooth and balanced

Finish

The finish remains clean and decisive, shedding residual sweetness without harshness. A subtle herbal dryness and lingering malt character fade gently, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

clean finishmalt and herbal fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kokanee Gold

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kokanee Gold

About Amber Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Lager?

Amber Lager 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 Amber Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, toasty, clean character as Kokanee Gold will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Amber Lagers in hopIQ

Explore all Amber Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Canada beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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