Mountain Goat Billy The Mid

From the days when they first started trialling beers that would lead them to the likes of Steam Ale and Summer Ale, Mountain Goat's brewers have picked up plenty of experience when it comes to fashioning paler, sessionable yet characterful beers. And that's the case with their core range mid-strength ale.

Beyond its clever name, Billy The Mid delivers what you'd want from a contemporary session ale. American hops contribute lively tropical lime aromas atop a distinctive caramel malt base. Arguably, the sherbety sweetness – derived from specialty malts from New Zealand – is more prominent to taste than the fruity hops, but really the only hint this is a mid rather than something higher in ABV is the lighter palate as this brilliantly bright copper beer lacks nothing in terms of flavour compared to its bigger pale ale brethren.

James Smith