Golden Coldies

Golden Coldies is a domestic American beer from Massachusetts, sold as a six-pack. The name points to a pale, golden-colored beer meant to be drunk cold, and no ABV, IBU or style designation is listed, so the tasting notes below describe what that kind of beer usually offers rather than a measured profile for this one. Expect a light to medium body, a clean grainy-malt backbone with a touch of bready sweetness, restrained hop bitterness, and a crisp, dry finish. Beers in this lane are built for easy drinking rather than heavy hop or malt intensity. Serve it properly cold, around 38 to 42°F, which is standard refrigerator temperature. At that range the carbonation stays lively and the malt reads clean rather than sweet. Let it warm a few minutes in the glass if you want more grain and light fruit character to come through. A standard pint glass or a tall pilsner glass suits a golden beer like this. Both show off the color and hold a modest head. Pour at an angle, then straighten the glass to build a finger or two of foam. For food, pale golden beers usually work with salty, fried and lightly spiced dishes: pretzels, fish tacos, fried chicken, burgers, grilled sausages and pizza. Their carbonation and low bitterness cut through fat without overwhelming the food. They also pair well with mild cheeses such as Monterey Jack or young cheddar, and with simple salads and grilled vegetables.