Just what makes a good beer? For must of us, that might mean our own favorite brand, but beer enthusiasts tend to rate everything. So how exactly does one go about rating a beer? Actually, there are two very important ways to address this question.

The first is on a Stylistic scale. That’s the only true way you can judge a beer against another, because in an absolute sense saying Bigfoot Barley Wine is better than Budweiser is like saying steak is better than lobster, or an apple is better than an orange. Such comparisons just don’t work.

So, we have to look at beers on a relative scale. In other words, a standard is required to judge whether a beer is a good or bad example of its respective style. We can do this. When sipping an imperial stout, for example, I’m looking for lots of rich roasty malt, chocolate, licorice, perhaps espresso, and alcohol warmth. Finding these things can mean a good imperial.

But what if I don’t find what I’m looking for? Does that mean I’m drinking a bad beer? Not necessarily. Because there is a second way to look at a beer, and that’s on a hedonistic scale. Basically, that means did I like the beer? A beer can be a poor example of the style it purports to represent yet still taste good to me. Ultimately, that’s the real test of what makes a good beer to any one individual. If you don’t like Thomas Hardy’s ale but you do like Budweiser, then obviously Bud is the better beer, at least for you.

When I rate a beer here on Epinions, I usually use a little of both of the above. How does the beer in question compare to other beers of the same style? And how did I like it? And how does this relate to Abita Golden? Well, I’m getting to that. Abita Golden happens to be a beer that doesn’t fare too well on either account.

Let’s see what Abita has to say about their Golden:

Abita Golden is a crisp, clean continental lager.

Just four ingredients are all it takes: American malt, Mt. Hood hops, German lager yeast and pure Abita spring water.

As the name applies (sic), Abita Golden has a brilliant gold color.

Its crisp, clean flavor makes this light lager the perfect match for Louisiana Creole food

My take? Abita Golden pours to a light gold color with a thin fizzy head and a subtle malt nose. The palate is thin, overly so with just a dash of malt and not much else going on. Granted, it’s smooth and drinkable but in many ways is reminiscent of a macrobrew. The finish is balanced with no discernible hop presence.

Stylistically, I’m looking for a little more malt and hops here. Hedonistically, I want more flavor. And economically, I can’t see paying $6.99 for a beer that is little different from Coors.



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