California Honey
Pizza Port Solana Beach

 

been awhile since i had a beer from these guys, and this was a really ideal pint for needed pizza, easy drinking beer with a lot of flavor, the honey adds a ton to this but doesnt make it super sugary, which really is the sweet spot, and its a full character blonde ale that has a little mass, well made stuff and very repeatable, also a nice potential gateway craft beer, all beer fans should dig this one. blonde but not pure yellow, just a touch richer toward brass, clear, and with a just ahead of average white head from the tap, good retention and some lace as it swigs down. aroma has just a little coppery thing to it, not quite metallic but its only there for a flash and the honey comes with a nice floral lift, nice with the simple malt base this has, very light on the hops but balanced very well, the honey is identifiable without being dominant, quality is there. the flavor does retain a touch of that high minerality pushing metallic character but its only there for a moment, the honey smooths everything over and is only sweet for a flash, the finish is quick, grain forward for a blonde ale, and relatively quick. this loves pizza too, new york and grandma slices, so fire. enough body to not be lost to food, mild in flavor enough to be just complimentary. i know its not hard to be a good pizza beer, but this is a great pizza beer. nice use of the honey but still a real drinkable brew, well done.

This, (well at least the 3 month old example I got), is not a "beer". It tastes like a non-alcoholic flavored seltzer. It was a drain pour, and I only do that maybe 3 times a year. This is an embarrassment to the brewers of Swamii's and Chronic Ale

Poured from a 16 oz can into a pint glass; born 4/8/25. Pours translucent yellow with two fingers of foamy head that rapidly recedes. Good lacing. Tastes of honey with hop astringent. Good.

 

Pours clear golden yellow with a thick but short-lived white head. Marginal lacing. Aroma is mild, malt, lemon, yeast and corn biscuits. Flavor follows the nose, lemony in front, some honey sweetness with a subtle hop kiss in the finish. Feel is light bodied and well carbonated. Overall, very light and drinkable without any real standout qualities.

 

16oz can. Bottom date stamp is 'CANNED ON 07/11/24 CHEERS'.
Clear, pale gold colored body. One finger of off white head, and this sticks around as a thin cap and high ring. Leaves behind extensive webs of lacing.
Aroma of lightly toasted malt, which translates to sweet bread, and fruit esters of orange and lemon.
Taste has more fruit than in the nose, with a base of toasted bread malts. The fruit flavors are citrus orange and lemon. Late in the profile the honey lends an herbal and earthy bit of flavor. Sweet overall but it is balanced with the other components. A little bitterness arises in the aftertaste, and makes for a crisp finish.
Very easy to drink, and complex enough to keep one's interest.
Medium mouthfeel, with a creamy texture. Smooth and clean at the end. Very good carbonation.

From a 16oz can:

Appearance: Clear yellow, good head.

Smell: Bready, with some orange.

Taste: Comes in mildly bready and sweet, then finishes with a big note of orange blossom honey. Medium-light feel, somewhat dry finish.

Overall: Last one from the mix pack, pleasantly surprised as the honey makes a big impact with a nice orange note. Very similar to Mexican Honey from Indeed here in the Twin Cities. Very nice blonde ale!

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at Farmer & The Seahorse - San Diego, CA
L: hazed golden body topped with a creamy off-white head that fades to a thin layer of foam
S: pretty muted; nutty/doughy pale grain, faint citrus
T: doughy malt, slightly nutty - wheat or oats perhaps, honey, mildly citrusy & earthy hops
F: lighter body, ample carbonation, easy finish
O: a very pedestrian beer for anyone to enjoy, and that is a good thing

Great food here too by the way!!

 

 

Canned 12/8/21.