Ballast Point / Kelsey McNair / Stone San Diego County Session Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Cavery

California

3.28/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz shared with Klym at the start of a Friday session. Poured into small tulips.

A: A cloudy lemony yellow pale malt body with some decent small bubble foam. Modest retention is likely caused by a very violent moving body and lack of stickiness. Comes off very light in the visual, almost like a pale wheat ale. A decent ring of foam sticks around the edge of the glass.

S: Yummy light herbal hops with an almost pear skin like quality to it. There's a bit of a medicinal linger but not one that makes me feel like I'm getting my vitamins. I'm getting an actually kind of funky note of cucumber from the hops. Not bad, just comes off really light. The theme so far is lightness!

T: Once again, light. A fairly simple flavor of semi-old hops and supplement powders. There really is an aged taste to this thing, and it's really not very welcome. There doesn't seem to be any sign of infection, just kind of a funky mellow taste that takes the malt sweetness to a realm of bitter medicines. some mild orange rind before the medicine sets in.

M: An appropriately light slow bubble dissipation in the mouth. I like how there's a real effort to keep the theme of drinkability a top priority. Very light and almost air like, but still has a very noticeable IPA hop presence and general flavor transition. Not wet from alcohols, and not overly dry from the medicines. If the flavor could keep up with the mouth this would fair better.

O: I had this before, and I didn't remember it being this mediocre. I actually remember thinking it was very drinkable and respectable despite the suspicious low ABV and small clear-ish bottle. However, I think that this bottle may have seen a bit more time than it needed. The hops really come off tasting like a preservative, and the malt is ridden with cobwebs. This is an enjoyable beer fresh, but a mediocre beer without that element of freshness. Don't make a session ale out of this unless you are certain of the bottle date!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 03:51:43 | More by Cavery

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.5%

05-21-2013 20:11:55 | More by InspectorBob

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -12.1%

05-13-2013 22:24:18 | More by mikeincharleston

Bill235

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%

05-10-2013 00:01:04 | More by Bill235

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%

05-07-2013 23:01:24 | More by cadaugherty

blknikon

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

04-30-2013 19:23:47 | More by blknikon

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -12.1%

04-29-2013 01:34:53 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

04-27-2013 09:27:23 | More by Kelp

t0rin0

California

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%

02-24-2013 15:58:25 | More by t0rin0

DrBrewDay

4.75/5  rDev +19.3%

02-16-2013 16:29:33 | More by DrBrewDay

toolg

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%

02-07-2013 17:07:00 | More by toolg

stampfler07

Georgia

4/5  rDev +0.5%

02-05-2013 00:11:18 | More by stampfler07

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

01-09-2013 21:54:44 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

bigalsd

California

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%

12-24-2012 03:45:46 | More by bigalsd

Pecan

California

3.5/5  rDev -12.1%

12-20-2012 08:37:29 | More by Pecan

GregoryMo

California

3.25/5  rDev -18.3%

12-16-2012 04:42:00 | More by GregoryMo

HumphreyLee

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

10-29-2012 05:07:22 | More by HumphreyLee

socon67

New York

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Orange color and quite cloudy. Sticky lacing on the glass. Tan foam settles a bit slowly.

S - Pine cones and hop resin smell. Has a light malt and light grain smell. Smells a little like pancake batter.

T - Very nice session beer. Light drinking with a residual sweetness. Finish has a mild bitterness. Tastes very much like a mild west coast IPA, but without the citrus nites and more sweet malt.

M - Easy to session. Light feel, solid balance, and keeps your taste buds interested.

O - Doubt I'll see this one again, but I'd enjoy finding it.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 02:07:35 | More by socon67

MarkyMOD

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

10-04-2012 00:35:20 | More by MarkyMOD

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%

09-20-2012 22:25:28 | More by Molson2000

HopsintheSack

California

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%

09-17-2012 01:40:46 | More by HopsintheSack

ELECTRONICAnonymous

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.5%

09-06-2012 00:39:11 | More by ELECTRONICAnonymous

SLeffler27

New York

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear, light amber with a one-inch, off-white, rocky head that deposits sticky lace and lots of carbonation on a fisheye pint glass. Meanwhile, the yeast was left in the bottle.

A fruity first impression is overtaken by pine hops and pine resin, while orange and spices linger in the background.

There is a good dose of bitterness followed by caramel and dried hay. This one is very dry with orange rind and unsweetened green tea being most prevalent. Crispness is followed by a long, dry, bitter finish.

Full bodied with a dry, satin texture, lively carbonation, a hint of astringency and no alcohol whatsoever.

As stated in the name, this is easily a session beer to be enjoyed with friends while winding down after work on a cool evening.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 19:55:07 | More by SLeffler27

beerpadawan

California

4/5  rDev +0.5%

08-27-2012 14:36:45 | More by beerpadawan

skunk242

California

4/5  rDev +0.5%

08-13-2012 04:52:46 | More by skunk242