Big Deal Brewery Original Golden Ale by Labatt 12Pk

Big Deal Brewery Original Golden Ale by Labatt 12Pk is a 4.5% ABV American golden ale brewed in Rochester, New York by Labatt USA, sold in a 12-pack of 12 oz cans. Developed in collaboration with the Spittin' Chiclets podcast crew — led by former NHL player Paul Bissonnette — this golden ale holds a 3.67 grade on BeerAdvocate and has accumulated over 8,800 ratings on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Rochester, New York, USA  |  Style: American Golden Ale  |  Brewery: Labatt USA (Buffalo, NY)

Production & Heritage

Big Deal Brewery is a brand born from the intersection of hockey culture and brewing, created by the Spittin' Chiclets crew at Barstool Sports alongside Labatt's experienced brewmasters. The collaboration reportedly involved extensive development sessions to land on the final recipe — a straightforward golden ale designed for easy, high-volume drinking. Production takes place at Labatt's Rochester, New York facility, a brewery with deep roots in North American lager and ale production through its parent brand's long history dating back to 1847 in Canada.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bready malts and clean grain notes lead, followed by subtle lemony citrus. A light herbal hop character sits quietly underneath without dominating the nose.

Taste: The entry is grainy and bready, establishing a malt-forward base that quickly gives way to gentle lemon citrus at mid-palate. Herbal and mildly spicy hop notes emerge toward the back, creating a moderately hoppy tail end. The malt reasserts itself heading into the swallow, leaving a bittersweet impression.

Finish: Medium-short and clean, with bready malt lingering alongside a bittersweet aftertaste. The moderate carbonation adds a crisp, effervescent bite that keeps the finish from feeling heavy.

How to Drink Big Deal Golden Ale

This golden ale is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to release its foamy white head and bright golden color. Its light body and moderate carbonation make it a natural session beer. A Shandy works well here — the existing lemony citrus notes marry seamlessly with fresh lemonade. A Michelada benefits from the ale's bready backbone, which holds up against lime, hot sauce, and Clamato. For a simple twist, a Beermosa pairs Big Deal's crisp profile with fresh orange juice for a brunch-friendly serve.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for hockey watch parties or game-day gatherings
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing 12-pack to a backyard barbecue
• Sessionable warm-weather drinking on a patio or at a tailgate
• Gifting a Spittin' Chiclets or hockey podcast fan

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Deal Golden Ale taste like? It delivers bready malt and grainy sweetness up front, transitioning into lemony citrus and a moderately hoppy, herbal finish with a bittersweet aftertaste. The body is light with moderate carbonation, making it crisp and refreshing.

How does Big Deal Golden Ale compare to Labatt 50? Reviewers have noted similarities to Labatt 50, which is also a golden-style ale with a malt-forward character brewed under the Labatt umbrella. Big Deal leans slightly more into herbal hop spice and citrus brightness, while Labatt 50 carries a more traditional Canadian ale profile.

Is Big Deal Golden Ale good for beginners? At 4.5% ABV with a clean, approachable flavor profile and light body, Big Deal Golden Ale is well-suited for craft beer newcomers or anyone who prefers mellow, easy-drinking ales over aggressively hopped styles.

Where is Big Deal Golden Ale made? Big Deal Brewery Original Golden Ale is brewed at Labatt USA's facility in Rochester, New York, with the brand headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

What foods pair well with Big Deal Golden Ale? Grilled hot dogs and burgers complement the bready malt backbone. Fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the ale's lemony notes. Mild cheddar or Colby cheese harmonizes with the grainy sweetness. Buffalo wings benefit from the carbonation cutting through rich, spicy sauce. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the ale's bready, bittersweet character.

What sizes does Big Deal Golden Ale come in? The Big Deal Brewery Original Golden Ale is widely available in a 12-pack of 12 oz cans.

Is Big Deal Golden Ale worth the price? Big Deal Golden Ale positions as an accessible, session-priced golden ale competing in the mainstream craft-adjacent segment. Its 3.67 BeerAdvocate grade (B range) reflects a solidly acceptable beer that delivers clean, uncomplicated drinking without premium craft pricing.

Why Big Deal Golden Ale?

What separates Big Deal from the crowded golden ale field is the genuine collaboration behind it — Paul Bissonnette and the Spittin' Chiclets crew didn't simply license their name but worked directly with Labatt's brewmasters through an extended development process. The result is a beer that knows exactly what it wants to be: a clean, sessionable 4.5% ABV ale with enough malt character and herbal hop complexity to stay interesting across a full 12-pack. With over 8,800 Untappd ratings and a respectable BeerAdvocate score, Big Deal has earned traction beyond its podcast fanbase on drinkability alone. For anyone seeking a light, crisp golden ale backed by Labatt's production capabilities, this delivers without pretension.