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Golden Spike

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A classic West Coast medley of pine, grapefruit and bright lemon citrus, with melon, from vibrant US hops: Simcoe, Columbus and Citra on a Low Colour Maris Otter base. Golden Spike is named after the ceremonial spike that marked the completion of the first US transcontinental railroad, and is a style Thornbridge is proud to be known for.

ABV
5.7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusypineyhoppy
citrusy
piney
hoppy
resinous
tropical
Aroma
The nose opens with a pronounced citrus character—tart grapefruit and zesty lemon balanced by subtle melon sweetness.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Golden Spike

◎ Appearance

Golden Spike presents a bright, luminous golden hue that captures the pale character of its Maris Otter base. The beer is crystal clear with excellent transparency, crowned by a white head that displays firm retention and leaves delicate lacing on the glass. Carbonation is visible and lively, imparting a sense of crisp refreshment.

bright goldencrystal clearwhite foamwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a pronounced citrus character—tart grapefruit and zesty lemon balanced by subtle melon sweetness. Piney, resinous notes from Simcoe and Columbus hops emerge in the mid-range, layered over a clean, understated malt foundation. The aromatic profile is vibrant and herbaceous, free of rough or aggressive edges.

citrus-forwardgrapefruit, lemonpine, resinmelon notes

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and crisp, with immediate citrus impact from Citra and the other noble hops. Mid-palate develops a balanced interplay of bright grapefruit bite and subtle floral, piney depth without becoming harsh. Bitterness resolves to a moderate, well-integrated finish at 60 IBU, allowing the malt to provide a gentle, grainy backbone without dominance.

citrus bitepine and floralbalanced bitternessmalt foundation

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with citrus notes persisting into the aftertaste alongside a subtle herbal character. Carbonation accentuates the crisp, refreshing conclusion without overwhelming delicate flavors.

dry finishpersistent citrusrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Golden Spike

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About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar West Coast IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, piney, hoppy character as Golden Spike will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all West Coast IPA beers in hopIQ →New to West Coast IPA? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →