Yellowtail Pale Ale - Ballast Point Brewing Company

Lothore

California

2.83/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a golden orange color with a small one finger head that fades pretty quick leaving no trace. Appears to be pretty heavily carbonated.

S- Slightly sweet, hoppy smell. I get the smallest hints of raspberry in the nose.

T- Full grain taste with a bit of hops. Not at all bitter which I was expecting it to be. Very mild and unimpressive, not completely watered down but not full of flavor at all.

M- The mouthfeel is fairly viscous, chalked full of carbonation.

D- You would think with the inoffensive taste this brew would be pretty drinkable but I find myself not wanting to ever pick up another glass after the first. It only seems a bit better than something i'd pick up in a cheap 18 pack at the liquor store, quite dissapointing for a craft brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2007 03:23:31 | More by Lothore

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Golden-hued and clear, below a small white head.

Citrus-y aroma, fresh orange and lemon zest...light spices....fragrant and lively.

Fresh on the tongue, with plenty of hop zing blasting the palate. Then all is smooth and lovely. Light bodied, light hops, tasty malt below...a kolsch, but called a "pale ale" on the label..."I guess"...but, it works, it's a lighter easier-drinking ale, no chore to toss back,but full of flavor.

Should be offered in 6-packs, though, not 22 oz bombers. Just not spectacular enough to warrant the size or the price. A good beer, don't get me wrong, just doesn't push my buttons...

...searching....searching....no, that's all I have to say on this...

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2007 08:55:50 | More by feloniousmonk

DoubleJ

California

3.58/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thank you Cost Plus World Market for carrying this in your vairety pack! On to the beer:

A soapy head forms on top of this golden ale, albeit one that doesn't last too long. But it does the job on a pleasant warm day. It's semi-sweet with some hop grape and bready flavors. The crispness is light and finishes a touch dry. A great beer to have when the weather is too much to have something big.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2007 02:33:38 | More by DoubleJ

bjohnson

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

thanks to solomon420 for sending this offering my way.

Pours a darker golden color with a thin head that dissipates rather quickly. A few bubbles rising to the top. Bready malt notes with hints of fruit hops. Buttery with a hair of lemon zest. Not much going on here except the subtle aromas that I mentioned. Kind of boring actually.

Bready and biscuit malt flavors. A tinge of lemony hops. Slight bitterness towards the edges of the tongue. A bit bland with not much going on. Thicker body then I expected as I was looking for something more crisp and cleaner. Slick through the mouth leaving a trail of buttery ooze behind. Again, like the aromas, the flavors are just middle of the road. Nothing stands out here. A mediocre brew at best, though actually quite drinkable, despite it's pedestrian disposition.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2007 20:41:51 | More by bjohnson

flexabull

California

3.53/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale clear gold color, with a nice tall white head.

Aromas are mostly sweet, with a touch of cirtrus.

Flavors are of light carmel malts, sweet, and creamy in the mouth. The finish is crisp, but the flavors seem a bit flat.

Mouthfeel is pretty good. The carbonation seems about right, but the overall feel to this one just seems a little too light.

Not bad, not great either. I had no trouble drinking this one, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2007 04:26:33 | More by flexabull

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap in the Marriott Marina Hotel, San Diego.

Poured a clear, pale yellow color. Medium, off-white head.

Primary aroma is bread dough. A bit of an acidic/unpleasant aroma comes along with it.

Taste is OK. Good balance. Biscuity with citrus/grassy hops.

Light body. Medium carbonation. Dry.

OK, but something off in taste or smell. Could be that this is not a fast mover at the Marriott. I would be willing to try again based on brewer's reputation, but not in any great hurry.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2007 17:54:10 | More by

stephendr

California

3.1/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle- color of honey yellow , with a decent frothy off white head - nose of citrus (orange) , sweat , slight hops , and malts – taste of grapefruit , dough , hops , and slight minty-ness - body is medium , dry chalky-ness, and with medium carbonation – aftertaste of stale hops , sweat , and salty

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2007 06:45:05 | More by stephendr

mithrascruor

California

3.65/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a mug.

Appearance: Pours a clear golden orange color. Frothly white head becomes a nice film.

Smell: Has an aroma of florals and spices.

Taste: Mild taste of semi-sweet floral malts, with a bit of spices and some very light hop bitterness. Maybe a bit of bread too.

Mouthfeel: Smooth with soft carbonation. Light- to medium-bodied.

Drinkability: Very drinkable, physically, though it doesn't fully keep my interest.

An enjoyable beer, but nothing that particularly stands out. A bit too sweet for a beer this light, at least for me. But it's certainly worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2007 05:16:18 | More by mithrascruor

bradybeer

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

As others have said and the label states this is not a pale ale but a kolsch.

Pours a medium gold with little head and little hops aroma. I don't pick up any hops or malt aroma. Taste is a bit soapy? Not much body or hops. Mouthfeel is a light-which is good for a Kolsch. Drinkability-I have to give this beer a good because it is drinkable and is one I could have after mowing the lawn (if I had a lawn)

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2007 20:22:35 | More by bradybeer

uberabr

California

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 into a pint. I'm going to go ahead and review this one as a Kolsch and not a PA, otherwise we'de have some problems...

Minimal head even after a hard pour. The serious hop oil up top is probably the culprit. Lacing and carbonation are great, however.

Appearance is a light yellow amber, faint red and gold hues. Not getting much out of the nose...smells like a lager. Spicy malt and a hint of bitter.

Taste is deep and rich for such a light beer. The bitterness is subtle but complements the sweet malt very well, although there is a slight grassy effect. Lots of bread and butter, some sweet honey, oats and rye. The body is quite full and i'de rank the drinkability as solidly quaffable.

This is a great Western take on a traditional European style. It's really quite good. The name is confusing though, as this is definitely not your typical california Pale Ale, and the text on the label clearly calls it a golden Kolsch. Weird. I probably won't drink it again, but if you're into this style I'de highly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2007 05:48:53 | More by uberabr

Talisker

California

3.83/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nice example of a non-American style from a West Coast brewery.

Poured from a 22oz bomber (BevMo SF area, $3.99). Basic clear yellow with an orange tint. Foamy head that dies down quickly - no lace. Crisp German hops flavor (no citrus) - nice to experience without the metallic lager aftertaste. Nice light bready malt complement. Finish is long, maybe lingers a little too long for such a crisp beer.

If you can find this fresh and like the style, it's worth a try. Very nicely integrated beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2007 04:29:54 | More by Talisker

Barleywhiner

California

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz., this beer is very clear with a light orange tint, there was a decent head that faded away after a minute or two, good amount of carbonation. The smell is very nice, a light citrus fruit that was unexpected. The taste/mouthfeel is somewhat watery, yet not bad. It is very light on the tongue, not really much malt flavor, and leaves a slightly tangy finish that fades about 15 seconds later to a earthy aftertaste. Overall this was a very smooth and well balanced beer, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2007 02:28:16 | More by Barleywhiner

MiScusi

California

3.78/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy golden straw color with no head, smell was pale malt. I was expecting it to be clear, but realized the cloudiness is from using some wheat. Taste was light bready malt and slight hops, that combine with a medium carbonation to give it a bit similar to a pilsner, although the body is a little heavier. It was still crisp and clean.

This was an good tasting Kolsch style beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2007 03:02:04 | More by MiScusi

TheLiterati

California

2.03/5  rDev -42.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a bright gold with reddish highlights and a smallish off white head. Smells of bread, malt, and a hint of hops.

Mouthfeel is watery and thin. Taste is slightly off as well, and is mostly weak. The bottle says it’s styled after “the crisp golden Kolsch ales of Cologne, Germany,” but I’m not so sure about that. Though I didn’t see a freshness date, I’m wondering if I might have gotten a bad bottle.

Has the potential to be a good beer, so maybe I’ll try another bottle at some point. However, if this is the norm for this beer, then I’ll have to pass.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2006 03:31:23 | More by TheLiterati

Imstillthegman

Delaware

3.88/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Zorro and BIF 41 for this bomber.

Pours a clear golden color with a white two finger head that quickly recedes to a ring. Moderate lacing remains. Bubbles rise steadily to the top.

The aroma contains citrus fruits, light doughy bread and hints of cinnamon (or something close to it). Smells good, but it has a very light scent to it.

Crisp taste. Some spicy citrus, caramel, bread, and lighter floral qualities at the end. Nice balance between the sweet and spicy. More malt and yeast flavors than were noticed in the smell.

Medium body with crisp, refreshing carbonation. The ABV makes this very sessionable. Ballast Point hasn't let me down yet. Nothing absolutely outstanding, but every one very solid.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2006 21:15:28 | More by Imstillthegman

Enola

North Carolina

2.5/5  rDev -29.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer is a little lighter than typical. There is a foamy head. The smell is similar to a lighter beer combined with a wheat beer. The taste is a bad bitter. Not a very desirable beer. this is kinda hard to drink. I don't think this beer will be in my cabinet again.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2006 02:22:16 | More by Enola

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Many thanks to BeerRun13 and NC Lotto BIF for providing the oppertunity.
Pours a clear golden color with a head that rises about 2" and quickly recedes to a halo of lace.
Smell is nice and strong. Very noticable hop aroma. Also a hint of butterscotch.
Taste starts of biscuity but the hops come in quickly. Very earthy tasting.
Mouthfeel is light bodied.
Overall a very drinkable quaffer on a hot summer day.
This is a style I don't really have a lot of experience with, but this beer motivates me to explore more.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2006 02:04:24 | More by wcudwight

BeerRun13

California

4.22/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a super clear golden copper color. Has a small white head that stays, as it is being fed by a constant flow of bubbles rising to the top. Good lacing.
Smells crisp and clean. Malty, biscuit aroma, and German hops?
Wonderful flavor. Nice balance between the malt and hops.
Light bodied. Good carbonation. Smooth AND CRISP FINISH.
What a good refreshing beert. Highly drinkable, and perfect for a hot Summer day.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2006 23:26:37 | More by BeerRun13

BeerAmbassador

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice two finger head with good lacing. Pale yellow color. Looks a bit like a domestic lager.

S: Bread-like aroma with some yeasty smells and a bit of citrusy fruitiness.

T: Very malty and buiscuit-like flavors with a nuttiness that I can't quite place. Finishes with a small amount of citrus and floral at the end.

M:Nice tight, bright carbonation. Although head has dissapaited.

D: Very Smooth and drinkable, something that I would drink for a thirst quencher when I wanted something a little more complex than your run of the mill macro.

Overall I really like this beer, it has a really pleasant nutty malt. And for an ale it is really smooth, bordering on a lager. This is my first of the style so I dont have anthing to compare it to but i really like it.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2006 02:26:47 | More by BeerAmbassador

tonistruth

Nevada

3.88/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- clear golden straw with an orange tint to it. 1" fluffy white head, retent is decent. Some lacing as well.

S- faint sweetness, hoppy aromas as well. Not much on the nose.

T- biscuity, maltly for sure. Strong pear flavors. Floral hop behind the scenes, come forward in the aftertaste.

M- silky smooth and light on the palate.

D- this is a good summer brew. Refreshing with good flavor. I'll reach for this when i need to cool down and unwind.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2006 02:39:00 | More by tonistruth

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliantly clear, light copper color and is topped by a two-finger thick, frothy, light tan colored head. This beer has a light, herbal, lemon-like hoppy aroma to it. As I dig around a bit deeper in the nose I get an interesting aroma of something like cinnamon.

The beer has a fairly light taste to it, in fact it is almost completely dry. The hops almost get it a tangy tartness though and there is a noticeable herbal hop character found throughout this beer. The flavor almost reminds me of those exotic, yet mellow, basils (e.g. cinnamon basil), but that is not quite it. A light lemon-like note is here as well as some spicy hop notes. This is not your typical American Pale Ale, but I really like its hop leanings. Light and quaffable as well and it makes for an easy drinking 22oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 21:52:52 | More by Gueuzedude

rousee

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Nice light translucent gold color. Smell and taste are very typical of a british pale ale yet this is described as a German Kolsch style on the label--strange..

It has a smell of malty cider and is quite woody. The taste is a dry full flavored caramel with some nuttiness- cedar-like finish. Extremely drinkable --a little too chalky in the mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2006 22:46:48 | More by rousee

Westsidethreat

California

2.7/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: Crystal clear orangish gold body with an off white rapidly diminishing head

S: Smells mildy malty with hints of fresh cut grass and wheat. Very organic smelling

T: Wow thats standard. Minor tastes of caramel, creamed corn and cantelope on top of a plain kolsch base

M: Bit spritzy and prickly.

D: eh. So why don't they bottle the DIPA?

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2006 05:23:47 | More by Westsidethreat

Padron4KM

Arizona

2.83/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, no freshness date.

clear golden with a frothy white head, lively carbonation.

minimal lacing.

Sweet and grainy malt aromas.

Lightly sweet, grainy with a light crisp bitter finish.

nothing memorable, just a middle of the road quaffer. I'd drink again if offerd, but wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2006 04:16:49 | More by Padron4KM

scottoale

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this last week-end at a Ballast Point tasting, hosted by a local pizzaria, with which they had paired the pizza to the beer. Quite a tasty event it was.

The Yellowtail Pale Ale was the first of the five ales that were served. It was served from their 22oz. bottles into pint glasses. This one pours a nice light gold, with a white, bubbly head. The head dwindles quickly leaving some nice lace behind.

Nice light malt aroma that was doughy, bisquity and had a faint wheat, as well as hop, peering through the back door.

The taste mimicked the smell, with a mildly sweet malt up front, then a much more pronounced fresh hop, to even things out. A nice clean, refreshing Kolsh style ale that went perfectly with the artichoke and olive, thin crust pizza it was paired with.

Quite a tasty beer that was light in body, had a good smooth mouthfeel, with a modest ABV making it a very easy beer to enjoy. I happily recommend this one, cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2006 12:43:22 | More by scottoale