Good Harbor Golden

Leelanau Brewing Company in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, United States 🇺🇸

Brewed at/by: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Farmhouse - Bière de Garde Rotating

Score

7.41

ABV: 7.5%

IBU: -

Ticks: 47

Inspired by Franco-Belgian bière de gardes, but not exactly fitting the profile of its European counterparts, this beer is best described as a Michigan Bière de Garde. Hand-crafted by Ron Jeffries at his Jolly Pumpkin Brewery in Dexter, which is consistently rated as one of one of the best in the world, all of the Leelanau Brewing Company beers are distinguished by their time spent in a large French oak barrique prior to bottling and re-fermentation. The wild yeasts inhabiting the brewery give all the beers made there a common thread, creating a family of beverages with rare harmony, despite their diverse styles.

Decidedly refreshing despite the 7.5% ABV, this style of beer was originally brewed in the slow winter season as payment for farmhands in the summer. We certainly don't mind sitting down after a long day of work and breathing deep the symphony aromas wafting from the lofty, lacey head burgeoning from our tulip glass. Subtle notes of peaches, apricots, canned pineapple, bitters, and a faint herbaceousness belie the smooth and delicate taste. The slightly malty, fruity body quickly transitions effortlessly to a crisp, dry and somewhat tart finish. Signature hints of French oak and the complex yeast character place this all-natural beer among the best saisons, stock ales, and farmhouse styles of Michigan, France & Belgium.

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7.5

Tom (2085) ticked Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 5 years ago

Tried from Bottle on 28 Aug 2020 at 20:46

Beertalk (16424) ticked Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 6 years ago

Hazy golden with a small white head. Fruity aroma with oak and funk and spice..

Tried on 08 Feb 2020 at 21:22

6.8

AndySnow (19631) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 6 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

How: Bottle. Where: Had at home. Appearance: Hazy golden colour with a white head. Aroma: Fruit, citrus, tart, acidic, sour. Body: Medium body and carbonation. Flavour: Fruit, acidic, citrus, sour.

Tried from Bottle on 28 Dec 2019 at 21:04

7.6

Kraddel (15844) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 6 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Pours unclear blonde. Small white head that fades fast. Smell is malty, typical maltyness I get from a US style sour, which makes mle believe this one's gonna be tart as well. Nice aroma, medium intense, and clean in terms of fermentation. Taste indeed is tart, rather sharp, full malty undertone. green apple-style tartness ( no acetyldehyde ) fresh, even though the 2-ish years on it ( if i remember the purchase date somewhat correct ) it shows no signs of oxidation at all. Very easy drinker. This was a bit more of an expensive beer, and I feel it doesn't have the extra 'magic' to justify that price point, but nonetheless, it's flawless and nice to drink !

Tried on 27 Sep 2019 at 00:24

8.5

samuel214 (2965) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 7 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Flaska från Beergium. Osäker på ålder, men har nog ett år eller två på nacken. Näst intill klar och ljusguldig i färgen med vit krona. Doft och smak av vita druvskal, yuzu, citrusskal, aprikos, stenfrukt, ekfat, druvbeska, vitt vin, stall och kattpiss. Något lättare kropp, torr med fin fatkaraktär. Fin, funkig syra med viss brettighet. Rena och klara smaker. Elegant och mycket gott!

Tried on 25 Nov 2018 at 18:23

7.4

ogivlado (19466) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 7 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottled 375ml. -from Beergium. Unclear orange coloured, small white head, citrusy and mild Brett in the nose. Sourish citrusy, notes of Brett and slightly spicy with notes of yeast and light acidity in rather dry finish. Nice and refreshing.

Tried from Bottle on 06 May 2018 at 21:23

6.8

mart (27297) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 8 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Bottle (from koht). Pours golden. Aroma is aour, fruity, sugar, baked apples. Flavor is sour, bitter, funky, apricots. Finish is sour, acidic. Overall: ok.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Dec 2017 at 16:33

8.5

Kita (5313) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 8 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Bottle, 0.375l. Aroma of wheat, funk, wine, barnyard, pepper and wood. Hazy orange golden color with thin quickly diminishing off-white head and average sparkling appearance. Taste starts sour vinous and citric, following is bready, yeasty, woody and earthy, mouthfeel is dry, while finish is mild bitter. Medium body, slick texture and average carbonation in palate. Excellent refreshment, although a bit strong...

Tried from Bottle on 30 Oct 2017 at 15:07

7.4

lore (7878) reviewed Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 8 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

hazy yellow colour, minimal off-white head; aroma of fruitiness, barnyard, woody notes, wet wheat, some pineapple, tannines and acetone notes, taste of vinegar, barnyard, bittery tannines and some fruitiness; is it really a Bi�re de Garde? I've found it more like a gueuze, or a wild ale...

Tried on 03 Sep 2017 at 12:43

Marduk (26467) ticked Good Harbor Golden from Leelanau Brewing Company 8 years ago

Tried on 20 Jun 2017 at 11:55