Longfin Lager - Ballast Point Brewing Company

mactrail

California

2.89/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Kind of a bland and malt-liqourish flavored brew. On tap at Mitch's Seafood by the sport-fishing piers.

Pours a clear amber with a modest head in the big 22 oz glass. More of the club soda taste. Not as crisp as I'd like in a lighter lager, but not very malty either. Drinkable but even less interesting than many industrial lagers. A slight tanginess is about the best I can say for it, and it still has that kind of sweet nearly insipid taste. An earthy tough to the not very bitter hops. I would hope for a good San Diego style lager from somebody around here to counteract all the over-hyped IPAs. However,the closest I can come to a favorite local lager is Craftsman in Pasadena.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2013 05:06:34 | More by mactrail

beagle75

Iowa

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a shaker pint glass.

A: Clear, pale golden color with over one finger of white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Faintly toasty cracker, with a substantial vegetal quality of green plant stem. A trace of sulfurous metal anchors the other nuanced qualities firmly in the pale lager family.

T: Begins dry, with crisp Munich pale malt that is overstepped by herbaceous/spicy hop aromatics. Flavors turn distinctly sweet on the palate into the middle as malt becomes more refined. Fruit is delicate during the second act, like golden delicious apple. Flavors become diffuse into the finish, barely bitter but with a resurgent huskiness to the lightly toasted grain.

M: Thin viscosity, seltzery and energetic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: Full of traditional qualities, this American pale lager does a credible job of measuring up to the German archetype. The constant craft beer drinker may be misled, dared to contemplate how this beer does not stand apart meaningfully from everyday adjunct lagers. In fact, the truth could not be farther away from such a thought. In a direct comparison, evidence of traditional ingredients and careful contemplation on the part of the brewer ooze from this product. It should not be mistaken for an aggressive, next-generation American craft pilsner such as Sam Adams Noble Pils or Green Flash Fizzy Yellow. This is for the old-school beer purists--and those that simply order 'a beer' when trying Beachwood BBQ for the first time.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 00:28:32 | More by beagle75

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can courtesy of Shane. Thanks!

A: Pale straw color with a 1/2 inch of fluffy white head. Semi transparent and reminiscent of lighter beers.

N: Good mixture of some light lemon, grass, pale malt, and a touch of pine from the hops. Some light banana and green peppercorn. It has an appreciable sensation that works well for its style. Flavors are light and delicate.

T: A strong sense of hop bitterness followed up by a zesty pepper. The malt is the third tier here which I quite enjoy.

M: Easy sipper. Well within style.

O: I’m seeing a lot of low scores from what I assume are non-fresh bottles shipped across the country. I think the cans will mitigate this issue because this is a solid, refreshing beer with a touch of hops and spice to make it worth enjoying. Buy it fresh and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 00:06:50 | More by writerLJBerg

champ103

Texas

3.39/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Blind Pig in Champaign, IL

A: Pours a clear straw yellow color. A two finger white head forms. The head recedes after a minute, and leaves a bit of patchy lace.
S: Toasted malts and cereal grains. A very light sweetness in the nose. Not much else.
T: Light toasted malts. Cereal grains with a bit of sweetness. That is about it. Not much else here.
M/D: A light to medium body. Moderate carbonation, and fairly dry. Not hard to drink, but not enough here to make me come back for more.

Not bad, though I have had much better lagers. Several made at the Blind Pig Brewery itself. Nothing more than a slightly above average lager. Good for an intro into better examples of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2013 04:32:55 | More by champ103

bashiba

Iowa

3.14/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Poured a straw pale yellow. very thin white head.

The smell is very light and a touch grassy.

The flavor is light and grainy with a touch of noble hops in the finish, a bit of citrus and fresh cut grass.

The mouthfeel is light with medium carbonation.

Nothing bad, but on the boring and bland side for a brewery as good as ballast point.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:19:42 | More by bashiba

TheSixthRing

California

2.29/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Enjoy by date of 4/19/13

Appearance - Pours a touch hazy, pale yellow with a white, 1/2 finger head. Sub-par retention. Spotty touches of lace around the glass.

Smell - Subtle esters and a slight sourness.

Taste - Touches faintly on a bready malt character, hints of grain, then a ghostly mild lemon finish. Not much.

Mouthfeel - Is it possible to be lighter than water? Yes, yes it is. Virtually no carbonation. Bone dry, making it a bit of a chore to swallow. Maybe the worst body I've ever experienced with a beer.

Overall - Lagers are light in nature, but this is ridiculous. Boring, relatively flavorless and utterly disappointing. Sorry Ballast Point, this beer sucks.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 03:42:19 | More by TheSixthRing

Halcyondays

California

4.1/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, picked up at the local Total Wine,

A: Pours gold with a light white head, average retention, no lace.

S: Sweet bready pils malt, very much a classic German Helles nose.

T: Lovely simple bready malt, yet vibrant. A soft noble hopping lends a good balance, very easy to drink.

M: Crisp, clean, light-bodied, well made here, no off flavours.

O: A classic craft lager for the summertime. I don't now why I'm seeing bottles of this for the first time come wintertime, but I'll be looking for this in June.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:11:41 | More by Halcyondays

UCLABrewN84

California

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap for the 4th Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a clear light yellow with a foamy white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some grassy aromas. Taste is much the same with a grain flavor on the finish. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is pretty tasty and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2012 03:33:02 | More by UCLABrewN84

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

on tap at khyber in philly

Pours a crystal clear pale golden color with a layer of white head on top. Fades out into a few wisps of film, leaving a couple spots of lacing on the glass.

Bready and grainy in the nose with some hints of straw and grass. Very faint notion of hops and sweetness.

Snap of floral and grassy notes up front. Grainy with some straw hints and a thinner biscuit-like malt backbone. Touch of citrus with light sweetness. Finishes crisp and a little dry.

Lighter medium body, decent carbonation, crisp on the tongue. Not a ton of exciting flavor going on here - not something I'd drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 05:13:53 | More by xnicknj

DeanMoriarty

California

3.88/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Feeling like drinking something light tonight, I picked up a growler at Ballast Point/Home Brew Mart in San Diego for $10.99 and poured it into a Stone branded pint glass.

A: Pours the typical clear fizzy yellow look that one would expect from the style with a decent head that dissipates with the first sip, leaving very small amounts of lacing.

S: Sweet and malty, dried grass and hay with an unmistakable german yeast that reminds me of German beer halls in Munich - they nailed the style for sure!

T: Taste is on point with the nose - sweet and grainy with a very faint hint of hop on the back end. Again - very traditional Munich style lager. Could easily go toe to toe with Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, Spaten or the likes.

M: This is where this one falls short for me - the body is nice for the style which is on the verge of medium-bodied, but the carbonation is too light which gives it a flat finish instead of that crisp clean finish that this style begs for.

Overall this beer is super tasty, ridiculously easy to drink, and a true tip of the hat to the German brewers who helped to get the beer craze going. Great all night drinker!

I heard this will be released in bottles soon if it hasn't already.

Serving type: growler

01-14-2012 06:16:53 | More by DeanMoriarty

womencantsail

California

3.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Bruery Provisions

A: The beer pours a clear golden straw color with a finger of white head.

S: Some sweet malt and corn with a strong aroma of grass and straw. A light banana and apple ester quality to it with some hints of yeast.

T: The beer is somewhat sweet with corn and biscuit malt flavors. The hop character is light, though there is a bit of bitterness to it. A light grass flavor and maybe some fruity esters.

M: The body is light with a medium carbonation.

O: Pretty simple light lager, but not really my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 20:24:36 | More by womencantsail

jamex

California

1.6/5  rDev -55.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured from a growler into a pint glass.

Light gold color, quickly fading head. Smells like a cheap malt liquor like you'd find in a 40oz. Tastes like Miller Genuine Draft. My friend and I were really disappointed. Ending up making red beers from it since it was so awful. When I got home I ended up drain pouring it. Hate to give a beer from BP such a low mark but it really was awful. Pretty sure my growler was clean so I don't get it. Maybe I just have to stay away from this style.

Serving type: growler

09-19-2011 02:18:42 | More by jamex

HopHead84

California

4.2/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

9/2/2011

On tap at Home Brew Mart.

A: Pellucid pale yellow with a modest and fast fading white head.

S: Grain with a little biscuit and dough. Lightly sweet, with a low noble hop spiciness. Clean, with no fruity esters.

T: Slightly sweet grain, bread, and Pils malt flavor with a low noble hop bitterness. There's a light spiciness on the back end. The finish is clean.

M: Upper light to lower medium in body with medium carbonation.

Overall: This is delicious and ridiculously drinkable. I want to take down an entire growler right now.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 21:00:33 | More by HopHead84

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light yellow with a pretty good white head. Smell is a little bit of grain and grassiness; not the best overall, but for its style pretty good. Pretty light flavor, not surpassing most others of the style as the nose did. Mouthfeel was light and crisp, and drinkability was nice. Overall, very nice for its style, but still lacking in too many departments to justify a higher score than this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2010 15:38:43 | More by Thorpe429

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-Tap

Longfin came to me looking like a american adjunct, bright white gold, yellow colored, no head. No lace.

S- Light grain, light hops, a solid malt smell, all in all light.

T- Sweet malt is apparent and some corn. Hops are minimal but make the slightest dent. Kind of has a helles vibe.

M- Goes down smooth, probably this beers best feature. Im liking the light feel and not the over the top carb causing over crispness, fizz if you will.

D- Im sure the ABV is low and i finished my pint with ease, but I wont be going back for it anymore, not my style I guess.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2009 08:10:44 | More by onix1agr

srandycarter

California

3.7/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Very light lager, near clear. Not much head nor lace.

S - Solid wheat and raw grain.

T - Similar to smell. Very raw grain taste, mixed with wheat and a small malt profile.

M - Light bodied, good carb, light coating. Good balance for what it is.

D - A very easy beer to drink, in ABV and flavor/body.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2009 05:05:37 | More by srandycarter

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very pale and very clear light golden yellow color that is almost as clear and light as water. Looks like a very diluted ginger ale. Fizzy white head that quickly dissipates into a very thin ring. I wanted to use words like urine to describe the appearance but thought better of it. I wish that I could give it less than a 1.0.

Pilsner malt aroma with subtle light crisp fruits;apple and pear, some bready yeast and subtle hops. Very bland.

Crisp medium body that is slightly spiced with some nice bready yeast, pilsner malt crisp light fruit and subtle hops. I'm shocked at the flavor and complexity of this beer after how awful it looked and bland it smelled. This is a pleasant surprise. Spice notes up front with clean crisp apple and pear notes followed by some slightly earthy straw notes. Slightly watered down with a subtle hoppy finish.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2009 08:28:25 | More by corby112

Floydster

California

3.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

10 ounce serving from Liars Club in San Diego

Pour was a light golden yellow color with a small head that faded in about two minutes

Smell was purely yeast and not much to it

Taste was surprisngly dry for how light the beer was

Bartneder thought it was around five percent alcohol, but was not entirely sure

Could have drank a lot more of this one

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2007 19:56:58 | More by Floydster

mentor

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle was a 2006 GABF left-over that was given to me as a reward for my volunteer efforts. Thanks a million to GABF and to Ballast Point Brewing for the opportunity. Entered into judging in category #18 (Munchner Helles).

Pours a two finger clingy white head. Crystal clear dull-light yellow liquid. Looks like a macro lager or a light macro lager. Smells a little bit of zingy hops. Pils malt and a hint of yeast.

Tastes simple. Gentle pils malt sweet with a hallertauer floral. Nice zing hops make the end. More and it would come across as peppery. Touch of grassy with a sweet that hangs oon the back of the tongue. Just a touch of creamed corn (suggesting DMS). Not to style, but at a level that I find adds character, rather than detracts. Soft simple and tasty. I see myself buying this one for hot summer days next year.

Md body and hangs on the tongue enough to keep the malt and sweet around a while. Nice, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2007 23:24:13 | More by mentor

scottoale

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

About as good as any Lager gets...served fresh on-tap in a pint glass. This is a very light gold with brilliant clarity and a small white head that thins to a layer. Decent carbonation with some delicate lacing.

Smells somewhat sweet and malty, light roasty aroma with a hint of hops bringing up the tail end. Looks much lighter than it smells.

Mildly sweet grainy malt that fills the pallate briefly, then a bittering and crisp dryness with a grassy hop finish. Quite malty overall, but not overly sweet by any means...pleasant tasting.

Light body with good carbonation and a mild ABV, this is a brew that takes the heat out of Summer. A good solid offering from Ballast Point that suits it's style well...recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2006 08:00:27 | More by scottoale

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.6/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: Sampled on Tap at the 2006 Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza.

Appearance: Striking clear golden body. Soft white head stays around for the whole journey. Streamers punctuate the body, conditioning was lively.

Nose: Light grain nose with a floral backdrop. Some grass and sweetness too.

Taste: Soft start, lightly toasted malts offer a grain texture but this is balanced with a little sweetness in the middle. Finish is dry and crisp with a refreshing bitterness that is also thirst quenching. Best served chilled, as it warmed in the Sun the taste fades and the sweetness is a little too grainy.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation was high but not overwhelming. The body supports the clean flavors and offer levity to this brew.

Drinkability: Crisp, clean and very refreshing, in the sun this one just slides down. Enough taste to keep the 5% brew interesting for a few Pints. Very quaffable!

Overall: I am a big fan of Ballast Point brews, so as soon as I spied this new offering it didn’t take me long to decide to try it. In fact throughout the whole 5 hours of the Mammoth Festival of Beers, despite the great array of brews on sale, I managed to sink a few of these. A great brew for the hot Summer. Enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2006 01:30:07 | More by TheLongBeachBum