Western Standard Saloon Lager
Ballast Point Brewing Company

 

Saloon Lager pours a dark amber color, with no head, at all. Sweet aroma, sugary, soda like, herbal notes. Flavor is sweet, sugary, crisp, lots of caramel, and earthy herbs. Flat. Overall, some unique flavors, herbal, and on the sweeter side.

 

 

Bought at Apollo Liquor in Rochester, MN for 10.99/6pk . Poured into a 16oz traditional lager glass. The first thing I notice when pouring is that there is virtually no head. What little head there is dissipates almost immediately with no lacing. Appearance is clear and a very pretty copperish red. The nose is malt, vanilla, and a hint of bourbon. The taste is the same as the nose, sweet with virtually no bitterness. Honestly, I had to check the bottle to see if it was an all-malt beer. This is a "good" beer, but it's not a style that I particularly like. If I were going in this flavor direction I would go with Liftbridge Farm Girl Saison. I like more carbonation and a bit more hop backbone.

Note from my wife: Most women will like this beer because it is not very carbonated, slightly sweet, and not very filling.

Appearance: Pours a deep, clear orange color with a small head. SRM of 13. (3.25)

Aroma: Sweet bourbon with a slight oaky finish. A little glue aroma. (3.25)

Flavor: The flavor is weird. Yes the bourbon flavor, but then bubblegum, coconut, and bourbon. A strong coconut flavor reminds me of a a pina colada somewhat. (3.00)

Finish: Medium-bodied. Low carbonation. Flat. A sweet bourbon finish is left on the palate. (3.25)

Overall: I'm really not a fan of bourbon-barreled beer. This one is just yuck. Maybe it will grow on me or I shouldn't review what I don't like, but the bourbon is really a turn off here. Nothing else remarkable here besides the bourbon. (Final Rating: 3.00)

 

i have seen these around a little bit, but thought when i found it listed on a menu as barrel aged that it was a special edition. turns out all of the western standard is aged in high west barrels, pretty neat. too bad the beer isnt a little better, not bad, but you have to like them sweet. i dont think the base lager is substantial enough to hold all the flavor of the barrels, i dont get much malt or lager yeast character at all underneath the bourbon flavor, which makes the whole thing seems like a whiskey on the rocks that got left out over night and all melted and diluted. as much as i like the stuff high west makes, this beer somehow tastes a little cheap to me, its got a little more color than most pale yellow lagers, but not quite brassy looking. the head is high and lasting and the nose is like caramel and brown sugar and vanilla with the whiskey. some oak and barrel char in the taste, but the sweetness is honey-like and strong, and runs well through the finish of this, making it a plenty flavorful beer, but one i can really only drink one of before its too much, and all of this gets worse as it warms. i like the idea a lot better than i like the beer, and i want more of the lager flavor to come through, its weird without it. something like a maibock would be preferable as a base beer, a little more boldness is needed, but a cool project overall i suppose...

 

 

 

Dark copper color, nose is a musty type smell. Marshmallow/S'more taste at beginning, softening to a dry hop. Delicious! Purchased in Rochester, MN, 9.99/6 bottle

12 oz bottle- Pours clear golden orange with minimal head. Aroma is pale lagerish, grainy, cheap yet inoffensive. The taste is interesting, lemon and basil jump out at me, wasn't expecting that. Odd yet more interesting than i thought it would be.

 

 

 

 

This beer pours a rich gold with a small head. The aroma is quite light, with notes of cracker malts, sawdust, butterscotch, and something vaguely medicinal. The flavor is rich and sweet, with a big wave of butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel up front, almost a rather buttery, chardonnay like quality. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with gentle carbonation. Overall, I must say I really enjoyed this beer - it is a bit odd, and a bit hard to classify, but I cannot deny my personal enjoyment.