Woodie Gold - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an inch or so above the glass gave me a small to medium sized white head above a clear golden colored beer.

A very light hops with maybe a bit of grain malt in the aroma.

The taste has more malts coming through with about the same amount of the subdued hops remaining.

A light bodied beer with a light mellowing aftertaste.

This beer is what I think they make to pacify the Bud and Miller drinkers and I think this beer is better than anything those two make.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 22:34:15 | More by LXIXME

kojevergas

California

2.03/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a N'ice Chouffe beer flute glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are mediocre.

A: Pours a half finger head of no cream, bad thickness, and terrible retention. Colour is a clear yellow-gold.

Sm: Malt, straw, and stale cream. A mild strength aroma.

T: Quite malty, with stale cream and some straw. Simple and bland. It doesn't taste good - that's for damned sure. What were they thinking? A wretched pilsner. Imbalanced and badly built.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but entirely too thick for the style and flavours.

Dr: Hard to drink because it tastes so bad. It's really an awful take on the pilsner style. It might be better on draught, but as is I have no plans to try this again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 06:57:33 | More by kojevergas

gregshead

California

3.18/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Medium golden color w/ less than half finger of head.

S: Lots of light wheat. Some good hints of banana aroma

T: Lager yeasts adds nice banana flavor. Very light/crisp malt. Very light bread taste. Little bit of hops at end but not that much.

M: Low in carb, disappointing

O: Its just alright. Had some highlights and lowlights. Wouldn't be the first of its type I'd grab, but also not the last either.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 05:24:35 | More by gregshead

NickRivers

California

3.58/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A&S - Pours an obvious golden blonde, with a slim white head, tons of bubbles coming off the bottom even 10 minutes after the pour. Smell is mostly covered up but hints of light malt, light hops, light bready yeast.

T&M - Extremely crisp and light, goes down very smooth and tastes very refreshing. Finishes with the slightest stickiness and hop presence. Mouthfeel is light bodied.

O - A great session beer, and one of my favorites from KS.

I might consider this to be my go to pilsner for summer hang-outs, next to things like Longboard Lager. Its a shame they advertise more of Red Trolley than anything else. RT didn't live up to the hype in my book but I highly recommend you check out Tower 10 IPA and Woodie Gold, tastes better in SD where the beer and air is fresher! Stay thirsty my friends.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 06:28:55 | More by NickRivers

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a clear yellow with no real lacing to speak of.

Smell - just a slight whiff of hops and not much else detectable.

Taste - crisp with just a slighlty bitter hop presence.

Mouthfeel - smooth and drinkable.

Overall - above average pilsener could easily drink several of these in a session.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 03:16:32 | More by ejimhof

srandycarter

California

3.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

A - Pours very clear, very light honey. Some small near white head, leaves instantly.. Some cling lace near the surface.

S - Very light malt and the hint of very light hops.

T - Light crisp.. maltier than I expected giving it some nice structure. Bittering is evident at finish. Not much needed, not much given.

M - Well carbed and balanced.

D - No offensive or tiring flavors. Easy stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 03:02:59 | More by srandycarter

domtronzero

California

3.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Very clear straw yellow with a short, long lasting fizzy whitish head. Very little lacing.

S - Light grainy, bready malts. Subtle floral hops. Otherwise clean. Not much going on.

F/M - Again, light bready malts, somewhat grainy and a little sweet. Floral, earthy hops with a medium bitterness. Clean and dry finish with a lingering sweet corn-like grainy malt flavor. Medium light bodied with moderate carbonation.

D - Quite easy drinking. Light, dry, clean and refreshing, the least they could do is can it so I can take it along with me on our mountain bike rides.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 05:49:32 | More by domtronzero

1realbeer

California

4.6/5  rDev +37.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was just excellent. If you are looking for a flavorful, refreshing, go-to beer for the summer, this is it. I've just finished my second six-pack and plan to add another sixer to the wife's grocery list.

It has a distinct, yellow tint. The head is not particularly huge or long-lasting, but is that what you really want on a hot, summer day? The best description of this beer is "well-balanced." Mr. Strauss seems to know what he is doing. I detect malt, citrus, and a gentle hop note that puts a smile on my face.

If you like "hop water" instead of beer, then this is not your beer. Go grab an IPA or your neighbor's home brew instead. If you are a San Diegan who needs a huge, hoppy brew, buy something from Stone instead. Otherwise, San Diego, you have a winner in Woodie Gold. Mmmm...

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2010 07:09:22 | More by 1realbeer

sergio1va

California

4.8/5  rDev +43.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured to a yellow hazy color on my glass. This beer carries a hoppy aroma with a hint of apricot aroma. The head on this pour was very mild but did not take anything away from the great taste of this beer. The overall taste is of a beer that is not over the top bitter and not so mild. I think its a well balanced taste that makes Woodie Gold an instant winner on my list. Love them Pilsners!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 06:03:44 | More by sergio1va

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

2.93/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is a clean, clear light gold. It's a little darker than straw. Two fingers of foamy white head developed and dissipated quickly to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.

Smell: Much like Karl's Amber Lager, though there's not as much caramel. Bready corn malts that are toasted a touch. Honey and a little butterscotch.

Taste: Not as good as the smell. Buttery and bready smooth. Mostly adjunct corn -- though higher quality than the usual macro fare -- and a very awkward hop bite. It's not the usual, crisp pilsner bite, but something more sour that tickles the cheeks.

Drinkability: It's okay. Karl wanted to make something drinkable for all of SoCal's elevations. It did so, but the result is nothing memorable.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2010 05:39:09 | More by TheQuietMan22

froghop

Washington

2.73/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

pours a clear golden yellow with a small white head, and some lacing.

smell is of wheat, citrus, some nuts, a little corn, and some spice in the back.

taste is weak, wheat, corn, and some lemon, ends a little tangy.

overall for a pilsner it was not that bad, but as a beer it was just average.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2010 04:15:30 | More by froghop

deruiz10

California

3.43/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - One finger white head has no retention to speak of. Pour is a clear yellowish gold.

S - Honey and some breadiness, but really not too much there.

T - Slightly sweet breadiness with some honey and caramel notes in the finish as well as a faint tartness.

M - Mild carbonation and fairly watery.

D - A decent session brew, but there are others with more character.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 20:51:40 | More by deruiz10

fsimcox

California

2.8/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle.

Pours a nice clear golden straw color. White foamy head that dissipates quickly. A little lacing.

Smells of breed and a little hops, perhaps a hint of corn.

Hop notes up front, some metallic hints, finishes dry with a little metallic after taste.

Mouthfeel is good. Has some dry sides to it after the hops blast.

I'd heard some good things about Karl Strauss, but compared to the many German Pils I've had, this one disappointed me.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 20:27:22 | More by fsimcox

jeffjeff1

California

3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This was a pretty good beer.

Appearance- golden color, nice head

Smell- bready

Taste- smooth, bit of hops

Mouthfeel- smooth, light

Drinkability- pretty drinkable, I would drink it again. It's a pretty good summer beer, good for outside working on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2009 20:24:45 | More by jeffjeff1

birdypowder

Oregon

3.4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Woodie Gold produces a thin white head, maybe a finger width at most that dissipates not quickly, but confidently leaving a thin veneer of white bubbles encasing the top of my beer. Bits of lacing that apparently did not want to be part of the protective layer of foam faithfully following my beer down the glass remain stuck to the sides like shy people at a club avoiding the dance floor.

Grainy and toasted malt aromas greet my nose with some slight hop aromas that I am not yet talented enough to identify.

The color is golden yellow of course but a deeper shade than the macro pilsners like Bud and Coors. The carbonation also seems lighter then the aforementioned heavyweights of pilsner.

Slight malt sweetness greets my tounge with a faint backend bitterness. A very drinkable beer but not one you would tell your friends they have to try. If this beer was a person, you would never be close friends but you would always get along.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2009 21:35:22 | More by birdypowder

yesyouam

New York

3.15/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This is a slightly sparkling light golden lager with a small, soft white head that leaves really good lacing. The aroma is a very light breeze of fruity hops. Perhaps a note of tangerine. The medium light body is more than I expected. It is soft and forgiving on the tongue but it retains the zazzle from the carbonation. There is a little citrus and a little noble hop action going on in here. The taste quickly fades and ends up a tad watery. This is a beer your dad would drink.
(rated Apr 26, 2007)

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 16:14:18 | More by yesyouam

magictrokini

California

2.9/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours mostly clear light gold with a bubbly white head. Bready aroma with some metal and grass. No Noble hops to speak of, considering this is a German Pilsner. Sweet with a small hop bitterness with a dry finish. Nice little beer, but not very good for this category.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2008 17:08:48 | More by magictrokini

Newsman

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a six at the Pasadena Whole Foods while visiting Southern California for work. Pours nicely, decent white head, decent lacing, looks very much the classic pilsner. Smells a little better than average, with a hint of florals coming from the above-average hops.

This tastes good. Has that classic pilsner taste, nice bite, with a better-than-average hop characteristic that doesn't overwhelm. Crisp dry finish. Blessedly, they didn't go overboard on the fizz, so mouthfeel was good for the style.

Overall, a really drinkable brew that was greatly appreciated in the midst of a SoCal heat wave. Nothing world-shakingly special, but a very solid session brew. I'd go for this again on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2008 16:42:38 | More by Newsman

Zorro

California

3.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Good clear golden Pilsener with a short white head. Good rich golden color.

Smell is malty and toasted grainy with a spicy hop aroma. Little bit herbal but the spicy hop tweak is quite nice and not at all expected from a beer from this maker.

The taste starts out malty and toasted grain with a little sweetness and a toasted bread flavor. Little bit of caramel and a trace of spicy hop taste, flavor isn't what the smell promised. Not that much bitterness and the hops actually give more of a lemon taste than anything else.

Mouthfeel is OK.

A notch above Budweiser and beers of that type. This is OK and I could see ordering this again sometime when there was nothing special available. Not worth any great efforts or pain to obtain though.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 02:59:28 | More by Zorro

DoubleJ

California

3.45/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(This review is sung to the tune of "Takin' Retards to the Zoo")

Was a boring day, got nothing to do
So I'll open up a bottle of local brew

Moving right onto the beer, moving right on to the beer:

Twist off top, pour it in a glass
Gold colored lager, head is fading fast
Smells imported, but it is not
Stinky grains and grass is all I got

Moving right on to the taste, moving right onto the taste:

Clean and crisp and medium bodied
Honey and hops is what it's embodied
Lightly flavored, and has nice balance
Three or four bottles, that's my allowance

This review is over now, this review is over now..oww.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2008 00:36:39 | More by DoubleJ

Halcyondays

California

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, with a cool vintage-60's style label,

A: Pours a pale yellow, gold, but with an excellent head, which stays around for the whole glass, and drink.

S: Some pale bread malt, pretty sweet, though nothing too substantial.

T: Sweet bread malt, some flowery, grassy noble hops, a straightforward pils taste.

M: Thin, good carbonation, very light.

D: A good pils, easy to drink and refreshing, definitely a step up from BMC, but not in the same league with the German-made pilsners, or better made craft pilsners.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2007 21:44:14 | More by Halcyondays

theopholis

California

4.47/5  rDev +33.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- The body is light, clear gold with a foamy white head. Some head retention. Very little lacing.

Aroma- Very nice balnace between a soft malt sweetness, subdued graininess, and a tiny hint of lemon and floral hops. Also get a very subtle, sweet smelling wood aroma.

Taste- This is one of Karl's better beers. Is has a very nice mix of malt sweetness, a subdued graininess and just enough hop bitterness to let you know it's beer.

Mouthfeel- Mouthfeel is also very nice. Medium to slightly heavy body with just the right level of carbonation. Just sticky enough to coat your mouth and give you an excellent after-taste.

Drinkability- Very nice. Good for day-time drinking or relxing with. I am really impressed.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2007 02:29:07 | More by theopholis

DogFood11

California

2.05/5  rDev -38.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

Poured the 12oz brown bottle into a pounder glass. Extremely clear bright yellow body with minimal support carbonation. Head is fluffy and falls to an island. Little lace.

Plenty of bready, doughy malts make up the body of this brew. Give me a hop cutter of some kind and it may have worked. Like most Karl Strauss brews this is another solid offering but hardly here to wow anyone. There is a cream soda feel to this in taste and it has a creamy sloppy finish that lingers. Hops are subtly bittering towards the finish only to give way back to the doughed up malts. Ends rather sweet and I would reccomend you drink this as cold as possible.

Notes: Probably better in the blonde category as its nowhere near a double pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2007 00:20:50 | More by DogFood11

goschool

California

3.08/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

No offense Scottale, but this is not a double pilsner.

I bought a sixer at Von's, because they didn't have Stone and I know that Karl recently passed away. He really did a lot for the craft brewing community. Hear hear Brewmaster!

Appearance: The pour is light gold with a foamy white head.

Smell: Soft malts, doughy malts, lager yeast, and a tiny hint of lemon and floral hops.

Taste: Nobody gives Karl the credit he deserves for his contribution in creating the double IPA, but I think he did quite a bit. He used almost no hops in any of his beers, leaving more for Vinnie Cilurzo to experiment with. There are plenty of grainy and doughy malts, but very little saaz hop flavor or bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with plenty of carbonation. Good for the style.

Drinkability: This should be a good pilsner to ween macro drinkers off swill with. All Karl Strauss beers are useful in that department and I salute them for it. It's easy drinking, but it's so bland, I have no desire to drink more.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2007 07:44:56 | More by goschool

IntriqKen

California

4.15/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden straw color with a half finger of white foam that melts to a ring of thin lacing.
For some reason this was very different and much more enjoyable to me in the bottle.
Aromas are very light and slightly floral...only a touch of lager yeast smells are present so less of a biscuit smell than most American attempts at this style. There is definitely a presence of fruit in both the aroma and the taste. Refreshing.
Mouthfeel is very substantial for this style with lots of tiny, tingly carbonation.
Taste is bright and light. Touch of very pale malt sweetness then a little fruitiness, then some mild citrus hops.
Aftertaste is very clean and fresh.
One of the best.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2006 21:38:31 | More by IntriqKen