Woodie Gold - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap in downtown San Diego at the Columbia Street brewpub. The beer was poured into a pint glass with a bright, pale golden-yellow color. The beer had no head. There were light and soft malt smells, with very faint hints of hops at the end. The beer has flavors of light, musty pilsner tastes, with a balance of malt. It has a smooth finish, and is extremely light in mouth, but overall uneventful. Decent beer to down on a hot day of yardwork, but not if you are expecting anything of substance.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 08:09:57 | More by GarthDanielson

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

Jayli

Massachusetts

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

Consumed 6/13 at Redondo Beach Brewing at LAX airport
Served in a pint glass

A: This beer pours a murky yellow with a 1/4 inch of white head. Head recedes immediately leaving wispy lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is somewhat fruity, grain, and hints of grassy hops.

T: Taste pale malts on the forefront, hints of wheat and grain through the middle mixed with mild honey fruitiness. Finish is of a light grassy hop note.

M: Light body, moderate carbonation, nice crisp body with a dry finish.

D: Goes down easily, somewhat tasty, not much of a kick. This isn't a knock your socks off beer, but it's pretty simple and nicely balanced. Nice enough flavoring and a nice ABV to make this a sessionable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2010 14:15:17 | More by Jayli

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

Phelps

Arizona

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

Poured from the tap into a shaker pint.

Perfectly clear pale gold, with a one-finger frothy head of off-white. It soon becomes a thick, soapy top layer that lingers forever.

Very little to pick up in the aroma. Biscuits, eggs and very subtle hops.

The egginess, which seems now rather odd, shows up the flavor as well. Along with lightly spicy hops, I get biscuits and scrambled eggs. It’s like breakfast! A crisp, clean finish rounds it out.

Medium fizzy carbonation, very bubbly as it moves. The medium-light body leaves the palate with a crisp snap, as it should.

Aside from some weird sulfuric flavors, this is a fairly standard pils. Not bad, not great.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 22:48:42 | More by Phelps

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

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

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

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

Dukeofearl

California

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

12 oz bottle from a sixer brought by a friend to my wife's birthday party in July 2006. He brought it because he liked the label (see attached photo).

Double Pilsner? What is that? Never heard of it. Based on the style guidelines (more malt backbone and intense bitterness), this gets one out of two right. Full rich malt, sweet but not cloying, very very drinkable on a hot day, but I can find absolutely no bitterness. As aonther reviewer mentioned, creamy. Not a bad thing, just not what the description says. Hmm.

I kinda like it, but it is literally 110 degrees at 5:30 PM, so most cold beers will be good. Seriously, I can drink this, but it is more of a one-off for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2006 00:26:02 | More by Dukeofearl

Domingo

Colorado

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

Not many reviews for this one...which I though was odd. I must've seen it on tap in nearly every hotel or restaurant I saw in the San Diego gaslamp area.
Comes a light golden color. It looks like a Pils, although maybe a little more amber than a bright yellow. Head's more pronounced than the KS Amber, which is nice.
Smells like a fresh euro macro to me. No skunkiness, but then again nothing really special either. Reminds me of a Heineken straight from the brewery.
Taste is crisp. For a double pils, this was pretty subdued. There's a little hoppy bitterness and some huskiness, but I was expecting something stronger. Again, it reminds me of a euro lager that has no skunkiness. If you like those but hate how it's tough to get a "good" one - this is your brew.
Mouthfeel is a little thicker than you'd expect. I'm used to the more "soda-style" carbonation from the euro pils brews, but this one is thicker and reminds me a little of a british ale in texture.
It could be a decent quencher, but I like the Amber much more. Not a bad brew, but nothing wonderful either.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2006 23:36:41 | More by Domingo

ThreeWiseMen

California

2.95/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Sampled this on-tap at a Karl Strauss outpost in the San Diego International Airport.

Served in a 20oz. imperial pint glass.

Appearance: Upon arrival, this beer sported a half inch of white fluff, though that quickly decayed to a splotchy film, leaving blankets of lacing in its wake. Body is golden and lightly hazed. Decent head retention and lacing. Not bright nor crystal clear though.

Smell: Leafy Noble hops come through as dew-covered vegetation. Smells sweeter than anticipated. A more subtle lager yeast aroma also makes its way into the mix. Not a whole lot of complexity here. Hops definitely reign supreme.

Taste: Once again, those leafy Noble hops are the main players. Lager yeast adds some pleasant bitterness/sourness (I never know which word to use when describing this), though the flavor profile is decidedly blunt and hop-centric. I also get a touch of salt, which occasionally comes through as an oat-y flavor. The finish is sweet and resinous with lots of lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium in body, moderate-to-high in carbonation, and resinous/sticky. No clean finish here folks! The feel isn't disruptive or unpleasant, but it certainly misses the mark style-wise.

Overall: A bold, American interpretation of a delicate German beer. I can see what Karl Strauss was going for here - a light-bodied, hop-forward lager for the SoCal masses - but I'm just not that into it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2011 16:25:13 | More by ThreeWiseMen

mithrascruor

California

2.45/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a mug.
I had some of this a couple weeks ago from a growler, and thought I'd try it again.

Appearance: Clear, yellow-gold color. White head that laces the glass a bit.

Smell: Smells of mild malts, mild grains, and mild hops. Nothing special.

Taste: Fairly boring taste. A bland amalgam of grains, hops, and malts -- no complexity, and it has a somewhat nasty bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Fairly light-bodied, smooth, a bit of carbonation. As with most other elements here, it's average.

Drinkability: Alcohol-wise, it's very drinkable. But the taste is just so annoying, and the beer is really tedious.

I'm not impressed -- taste isn't good and the rest is just average. No reason to get this again. And I probably won't have it again from a growler. As usual, not impressed with Karl Strauss beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2006 04:52:24 | More by mithrascruor

scottoale

California

2.85/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this one at my folks house last night. Somewhat perplexed, I bought a single 12oz to add and review. The brown bottle has a lable that depicts a San Diego beach scene at sunset with the classic old "Woodie" as the theme of the label. The neck label classifies this brew as a "Coastal-Style Classic Blonde Pilsener"... whatever...the closest style listed I figured would be the American Dbl. Pilsner, so I went with it.

It pours a straw pale gold with a two finger pure white bubbly head that dies quickly. Lacing, well a few dots and a dab, although the carbonation produces a steady flow of bubbles from the bottom.

Smells of light wheat, weak malt and a hint of lemony hops. It smells like a wheat beer to me.

Tastes sweet at first with a watery, fizzy, light malt (more like wheat) to a weak hop (bitter defeated by sweet) dry finish. Notes of lemon peel and sweet-n-low with no sign of alcohol, must be low in ABV (not listed)

Fizzy, creamy like mouthfeel leaves the mouth dry and has very little aftertaste as it just tastes weak. You could probably drink gallons of it, but why bother ?

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2006 03:58:57 | More by scottoale

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

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

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

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

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

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

AustinBeerLvr

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at several locations in San Diego.

Pours a fairly solid straw color w/a decent amount of head. The taste is mostly a good dose of sweet malt with just a bit of hop bitterness there. I see it classified as a German Pils", but I would probably say it's more like a Helles with a little more hop punch. Lots of bready flavors in there. Nothing awesome, but very highly drinkable and somewhat interesting for a good session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2007 02:57:37 | More by AustinBeerLvr

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

Merkur

Tennessee

3.15/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the San Diego Airport's Karl Strauss.

Beer pours a nice golden color without much head at all.

No real smells to detect other than a slight bit of bready yeast.

Beer has a very crisp flavor with a bit of hop bitterness, but not very much.

Very crisp and full of carbonation flavor.

Average pilsner

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 03:12:30 | More by Merkur

aquaderek

California

3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I bought a six pack of the karl strauss woodie gold at my local vons. Poured into a tasting glass. It has a golden yellow color, the head diminishes to a very thin broken lace. It looks like what you would expect for the style. The nose leads me to believe that this bottle is skunky, but I guess hoppy with slighty cabbage like smell. This beer has a slightly more viscious and heavier body than what I would expect in a pilsner. It has a fuller more complex taste than most american pilsners and a great drinkablility, I could drink a few in a setting.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2006 01:46:20 | More by aquaderek

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