Young, who started her brewing career at Fuller’s more than a quarter of a century ago, has helped create a limited-edition beer for pubs within both businesses.
Golden Times is a 4% ABV pale ale that “celebrates shared brewing heritage, enduring friendships and a mutual passion for exceptional cask ale”.
More than just a seasonal release, Golden Times is also a deeply personal project for Georgina, who began her career at Fuller’s – which, at the time, was London’s oldest family brewer – in 1999. During her time there, she was promoted from shift brewer to brewing manager and later returned in 2013 as brewing and packaging manager before being appointed the company’s first female head brewer in 2017.
Real delight
Young joined St Austell Brewery in 2019 to take on a new challenge and said: “I still have many friends at Fuller’s so it’s a real delight to have been invited to brew a beer for its pub estate. I hope this is the first of many special collaborations for us.”
Reflecting on her career, she added: “I have a huge fondness and real affection for the company that took a chance on me as a young woman entering the industry. Golden Times is, in many ways, a tribute to that journey and to the people and experiences that shaped it.”
St Austell Brewery said the name Golden Times reflects both the style of the beer and the story behind it and Young stated: “It’s a play on the golden era of brewing at Fuller’s. It’s a nod to the rich heritage both breweries share, while also raising a glass to what lies ahead.”
Trio of English hops
Golden Times is claimed to be a well-balanced golden ale with floral aromas, bright citrus notes and subtle hints of stone fruit, all supported by a smooth malty base.
It has been brewed using a trio of English hop varieties – Target, Olicana and Harlequin – alongside Cornish malt, the beer is said to have been “crafted to be easy-drinking while full of flavour”.
Golden Times will be pouring in more than 80 Fuller’s pubs from Thursday 11 June and will also be available in select St Austell Brewery-managed pubs across the south-west of England.
