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California Kölsch
Ballast Point Brewing Company
- From:
- Ballast Point Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Kölsch
Ranked #211 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 81
Ranked #25,911 - Avg:
- 3.55 | pDev: 13.52%
- Reviews:
- 436
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 12, 2023
- Added:
- Dec 26, 2001
- Wants:
- 59
- Gots:
- 317
Formerly Yellowtail Pale Ale and Pale Ale The Original.
There's no wonder why our Pale Ale is so popular--it is skillfully crafted in the style of the Kolsch beers of Cologne, Germany. We've chosen German hops for aroma, and rounded out the recipe with a blend of American and German malts.
While it is very much like a pilsner, our Pale Ale is fermented at ale temperatures, giving it a subdued fruitiness--a perfect compliment to the crispness of the wheat and maltiness of the Munich malt. If you like a lighter brew but also like the complexity of craft beers, then our Pale Ale is for you.
23 IBU
There's no wonder why our Pale Ale is so popular--it is skillfully crafted in the style of the Kolsch beers of Cologne, Germany. We've chosen German hops for aroma, and rounded out the recipe with a blend of American and German malts.
While it is very much like a pilsner, our Pale Ale is fermented at ale temperatures, giving it a subdued fruitiness--a perfect compliment to the crispness of the wheat and maltiness of the Munich malt. If you like a lighter brew but also like the complexity of craft beers, then our Pale Ale is for you.
23 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mfnmbvp:
Reviewed by mfnmbvp from Illinois
3.38/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present. My label is a bit different than the one pictured and says only Ballast Point Pale Ale, "the original", and lists a 5.20% abv instead of 5.00%. I think this is my second beer from Ballast Point.
Poured into a clear balloon snifter.
A - Pours a hazed lemon colored body with just under a finger of soapy white head that fizzles to a bubbly ring quickly. Some spotty sticky lacing.
S - Smell is of buttery diacetyl, bready malts, a bit of honeyed graham cracker, some soapiness, corn, and some musty yeast. Otherwise, the smell is pretty lame and boring.
T - Taste is of buttery caramel malts, corn, grains, herbal earthiness, crisp fruity yeast, grainy pilsner malts, and subdued indistinct fruitiness.
M - Feel is crisp and clean, light-bodied with good carbonation.
Overall, a fairly boring, uninspired beer. Poor duration of flavor, but light-bodied, refreshing, and drinkable. Inoffensive, but it doesn't really do anything for me. This would be a great stepping stone beer for those looking to get into craft beer, though.
Ballast Point Pale Ale ---3.5/5
Dec 30, 2013Poured into a clear balloon snifter.
A - Pours a hazed lemon colored body with just under a finger of soapy white head that fizzles to a bubbly ring quickly. Some spotty sticky lacing.
S - Smell is of buttery diacetyl, bready malts, a bit of honeyed graham cracker, some soapiness, corn, and some musty yeast. Otherwise, the smell is pretty lame and boring.
T - Taste is of buttery caramel malts, corn, grains, herbal earthiness, crisp fruity yeast, grainy pilsner malts, and subdued indistinct fruitiness.
M - Feel is crisp and clean, light-bodied with good carbonation.
Overall, a fairly boring, uninspired beer. Poor duration of flavor, but light-bodied, refreshing, and drinkable. Inoffensive, but it doesn't really do anything for me. This would be a great stepping stone beer for those looking to get into craft beer, though.
Ballast Point Pale Ale ---3.5/5
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.38/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.38/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Bottle. Straight up kolsch, light malt and crisp. Clear pale golden with tight white head. Nice bready taste, crackers. Short, sharp finish, light lemony notes.
Nov 12, 2023Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
4.03/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Scrappy notes from 2008.
This beer was called "Yellow Tail Pale Ale" when I had it in Autumn 2008 in San Diego on tap on the beach at a small pub/restaurant that gave surfboarding lessons. The beer is very light bodied, crisp & brisk yet rather creamy. Some pronounced hops and finishes quickly. It has a clean malty smell. Extremely easy drinking and very fresh tasting. Beautifully balanced. Would buy it anytime and I highly recommend it.
Nov 18, 2021This beer was called "Yellow Tail Pale Ale" when I had it in Autumn 2008 in San Diego on tap on the beach at a small pub/restaurant that gave surfboarding lessons. The beer is very light bodied, crisp & brisk yet rather creamy. Some pronounced hops and finishes quickly. It has a clean malty smell. Extremely easy drinking and very fresh tasting. Beautifully balanced. Would buy it anytime and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
355 ml bottle, from Fakta Hirtshals. BB date is hard to read, but is possibly Febr. 2014. Pale golden colour, slightly hazy. Low white head. Yeasty aroma, notes of slightly stale jam / marmalade. The flavour is moderately spicy and herbal with hints of citrus. Dry finish.
Dec 12, 2020
California Kölsch from Ballast Point Brewing Company
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
1401 ratings
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