Homework Series Batch No. 5 - Hoppy Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Ballast Point Brewing Company

September 10th, 2016 - Amber and quenching looking, the Homework Series #5 smells like a fresh coat of paint combined with banana food. In this case, very much for consumption. The flavor is much the same, with that new house element, and light tastes of papaya. It's certainly new and curious, but not to my taste.

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a golden color with a greenish cast. Quite lovely foam coating the Troubadour tulip with bubbles streaming. Sudsy and prickly on the tongue, and quite pleasing mouthfeel. A little of the lemony fragrance. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Barons Market on West Point Loma.

Light with some lemon taste. Some of the scratchy yeast flavor comes through, and then the usual dry finish. This is a restrained and highly drinkable brew that manages a little Belgian character. It's sort of a Single with a lot of extra alcohol. It does seem unnecessarily strong. One of my favorite offerings from Ballast Point. They seem to experiment with one undrinkable concoction after another.

Can't find a bottle date. Bottle shop says it just came in.

Pours a murky yellow. More Belgian look than iPa

Smells is Belgian yeast, malt, hops and earthy. Taste is similar. I'm not getting a pronounced hop profile, I think that's due to the strong Belgian yeast.

Very good beer.

 

Really good beer and the smell is just amazing

 

 

22 ounce bomber poured into a tulip glass

A: Pours a golden orange with a big creamy, fluffy head, clear, lots of carbonation streaming off the bottom, some lacing, decent head retention.

A: Belgian yeast, earthy, herbal aromas, some hop characteristics, some spice,

T: Belgian yeast, earthy, herbal flavors, slight lemon zest at the end, finishes spicy, balanced, some depth and complexity, finishes dry, alcohol is well hidden, easy drinking.

M: Nice creamy mouthfeel, feels light and fluffy, less carbonated than it looks, finishes dry.

O: Enjoyed this, lots of depth with the flavors, balanced, complex, well made beer, I would pick this up if available in six-packs, very enjoyable.

 

 

Bottled 3/18/15.

Pours a hazy golden-orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small patches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, earth, spice, and Belgian yeast aromas. Taste is much the same with grain, earth, pepper, spice, and Belgian yeast flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice and yeast bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with solid earth, spice, pepper, and Belgian yeast characteristics all around.

Serving type: bottle.