An old friend

Occasionally during one's quest of beer discovery comes moments of almost re-discovery. Whilst the beer-hunting instinct is to continually move on and hunt out the next new exciting craft beer, moments can occur when forgotten gems from eras past can be re-discovered. 

A long time ago now, before my time brewing or Rob's Beer Quest, Hop Back Summer Lightning was frequently found in my fridge. In time it became harder to find in the local supermarkets, I moved out, moved on, and even when I did come across it, it was overlooked for the next new beer style or special release. But just the other week I happened to be in the Lake District at a lovely supermarket with a great beer range called Booths. 

But Summer Lightning isn't just a classic for being a great beer, in the 80s Summer Lightning represented an evolutionary point in British brewing. It's a fore father to the style we know today as the English golden ale. Although today virtually every British brewer has some form of golden ale not many of them are 5%. Pale golden and well composed with fruity English hops throughout and a balancing quenching malt backbone. Summer Lightning sure is a re-discovery from the past that's great when enjoyed outside on a summer's evening.