The J
Hollister Brewing Co.

Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Hollister Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
6.2%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.52 | pDev: 16.48%
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
11
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 18, 2014
Added:
May 19, 2007
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by UCLABrewN84:
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.49/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Hollister Brewing Company in Goleta, CA.

Pours a clear orange with a foamy bone head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grape-like fruit, and slight smoke aromas. Taste is much the same with subdued smoke flavors on the finish. There is a very mild amount of smoke bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a low level of carbonation with an almost flat and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a decent smoke presence but the mouthfeel is off in my opinion.
Jun 04, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by ChrisAlbertine from California

Jul 18, 2014
Photo of 100floods
Reviewed by 100floods from California

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Huge thanks to my lovely girlfriend for making a pit stop to Hollister and grabbing some brews. We randomly stopped their on a road trip a few years back and whoever is down their always has to either stop in for a drink or grab some growlers.

I got the growler yesterday and this is my second pint. The growler opened with a loud 'pop' leading me to believe that their was still a good amount of carbonation left. Pouring the beer yielded a thick, creamy vanilla head that lingered around for a bit. A medium-dark amber hue that looks rather clear shows few bubbles. Mild woody smoke aromas, with a hint of honey are present which presents a literal smooth transition from nose to mouth. With each sip I can experience this beer travel through my senses. The first pint was a little smokier. Pint number two is a bit more resinous. The hops provide a sharpness but without being too present. When I read the description of the beer, I thought I was getting a hoppy smoke beer. This beer is definitely suffering from not being as fresh as it could be, more carbonation would make this beer sing! There still remains some complexity between the smoked malts, hemp and hops, which isn't entirely lost. The smoke malt begins to mask some of the hoppier elements once this beer has breathed a little. With the stretch of my imagination I am enjoying it as much as I can with no problem at all. I'm definitely giving this beer the benefit of the doubt. Can't wait to have it on tap!
Jun 10, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by drewone from California

Jun 01, 2013
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at the source itself in Goleta, CA. On to the beer:

The J is an orange, reddish color with good head retention and fair lace. The aromas of smoke and hemp arise from the beer. It's unusual at first whiff, but the two aromas work with each other. Its taste starts with a snap of hemp, followed up by citrus and smoked malt component. Well balanced too, desipte the way the described flavors sound. It owns a medium body which is complimented by smooth carbonation. As a bonus, this beer is easy to drink.

This is an honest smoked brew with a twist. As you could imagine, the idea of a smoked beer to drink alongside a BBQ pulled pork sandwich was too good to pass up.
Sep 11, 2012
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.58/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at Hollister Brewing

The beer is amber in color with an off-white/khaki head. The smoke comes through as the initial aroma. It's got the usual semi-salty and woody aroma to it as well as a fair amount of toast and some toffee. While smokey, the flavor is not overwhelmingly so. Toasted malt and bread flavor with a hint of toffee. There might even be just a little bit of fruitiness to it, too.
Feb 01, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by SanDiegoBeerLove from California

Jan 21, 2012
Photo of ILikeGoodCider
Reviewed by ILikeGoodCider from New Jersey

2.16/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Enjoyed on 08-16-2008. On-tap at Hollister Brewing Co. in Goleta, CA.

A: Amber/Orange with off-white ring.

S: Think campground and/or fire. Smoky. I thought it was too smoky for my liking.

T: Combos of sweet & malty were in there, but the ham & bacon was too far up-front.

M: Slighty syrupy. Nice CO2.

D: A drinkable brew for the smoke fans. I was glad I sampled this guy & didn't go for the full pint.

All of that said, I wasn't impressed but I could see how this beer might receive better reviews from others. It's a particular beer. Different strokes...and all that.
Aug 17, 2008
Photo of bulletrain76
Reviewed by bulletrain76 from California

4.1/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Draught at the brewpub. Dark amber with a beige head. Smokey brown sugar aroma reminds me of barbecue. Lots of smoked malt in the flavor with caramel, and some subdued hops. Thick and chewy body with small bubbles. A pretty cool beer, even If the hemp seeds weren't really obvious. Liked the smokiness, though it wasn't as intense as, say a schlenkerla. I'd pair it with one of their meatier entrees next time. Rerate: the smoke was more forward and nearly dominated the flavor this time. Loved it.
May 28, 2008
Photo of charlzm
Reviewed by charlzm from California

2.85/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Consumed 05/25/08. Noted as 6.6% ABV on my visit.

Medium/dark gold. Clear and bubbly.

Aroma is smoky: think bacon.

Flavor is likewise smoky. In fact, it's the primary flavor. Some malt character (caramel, I think).

Don't think I've ever had a smoked amber before. There's probably a good reason for this, and that's because it's difficult to make a smoked amber that's tasty.
May 27, 2008
Photo of JayTheFinn
Reviewed by JayTheFinn from California

4.18/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
My first beer at the new Hollister Brew Co in Goleta, CA was pretty darn good! Of course, the brewmaster isn't a virgin. He used to brew for Santa Barbara Brew Co in SB about 10-15 miles down the road.

Even though Hollister has only been open a short while, The J seems to already be a favorite amongst patrons and bartenders alike. It's got a nice deep red body with a healthy head and carbonation. Hoppy pine scent is noticeable. Good strong, slightly spicey flavor. The J is made with dried hemp which works in subtly to give this all around solid amber a little extra flavor. The hops are mildly bitter, just right really. It might be a little high for a session beer technically speaking, but it's a tasty, smooth drink that doesn't wear on the tastebuds. Delicious!
May 19, 2007
The J from Hollister Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 11 ratings