The Dirt
Once only available on draft in select bars and restaurants, the Lost Gold IPA is now a mainstay in Real Ale's line. I once had this cask-conditioned, and loved it, so I'm very happy to see it bottled.
The Lost Gold pours a golden color, perhaps a little lighter than your average IPA. Its appearance almost resembles a Dogfish IPA. But don't be fooled, it definitely fits an IPA profile. Over the first few sips, the great dry floral and citrus hop notes dominate, and slide away smoothly at the end of the beer. A hint of biscuitiness is there at the very end as well. Further tasting reveals a slight caramel sweetness amongst the hops. A very balanced beer, with medium body and a perfect helping of hops. Very drinkable, but retains the IPA label.
Worth it?
This may be my favorite year-round Real Ale beer. If you're in the mood for a refreshing IPA, or want to get into IPAs, this is a good start. I can't buy this anymore since I'm no longer in Texas, but will certainly order one whenever I return.
The Final Word
