Ballantine XXX Ale - Pabst Brewing Company

mikelf77

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Now my GrandFather used to work for this Brewery when it was based in Newark, NJ. So out of some sentimental reasons my father bought a sixer of this. I thought I'd try 4 or 5 of them. The old brewery had a huge beer bottle that said "Ballatine" on it. Ah the memories.
Tastes good. It almost tastes like a Corona if Corona was good. But this beer is much better. Now this is an ale but alot of people think it tastes a little like some lagers. The taste was good with a nice balance of sweetness which I can detect and some hops which I can detect even with my limited skills. I can detect some malted something but I am developing my skills so one day I will do a re-review.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 23:45:23 | More by mikelf77

JoKo

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +35.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this particular beer into my standard mug.

Appearance: Very golden in color, well carbonated and clear, formed a inch and a half white head. The appearance of this beer was quite peculiar for a pale ale, I'd say it's more of a blonde ale.

Smell: The smell of this one is citrus hoppy notes up front.

Taste: This beer has a very crisp, citrus like taste, the hops are up front in this one. As I take a sip of the beer, it goes from a sharp lightly hoppy citrus to a mild bitterness. The malts are light in this beer, but they are noticeable in the background.

Mouth feel: A very light bodied, crisp, highly drinkable ale.

Drinkability: I'm impressed. This is a definite go-to session beer. This one is definitely ideal for warm weather. I feel this could be one of those "gateway beers" when trying to convince friends that there is more to the world of beer than Bud and Coors light, also at a very affordable price.

Serving type: can

03-10-2009 01:49:21 | More by JoKo

johlendorf

New Jersey

3.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I've drank gallons of this out of 16oz cans, but can only find bottles here.

A = Pale yellow, slightly greenish.

S = It's got that funky green beer smell. The cans are sweeter.

T = The skunkiness wasn't overwhelming and a nice sweetness comes through.

M = Light and refreshing.

D = I can drink this all day.

Old school favorite.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2009 03:15:34 | More by johlendorf

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a plain pint glass.

A: Pours a very clear, golden yellow color with a thick, fizzy head of bubbles which dissipates quickly, leaving a light, soapy lace.

S: Smells fairly grainy, like corn and cereal with a bit of zesty lemon aroma.

T: Super crisp and clean toasted grain malt with a slightly sweet and drying citrus hop twang and a rapidly vanishing bittersweet aftertaste. Not very complex, more or less a guzzler.

M: Mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing with a little sticky twang and drying pucker.

D: This classic American brew is a great, cheap session beer. High drinkability, no frills, good, simple taste with clean flavors and a quality that makes it easy to drink en masse.

Grabbing a 6-pack of 16-oz. Ballantine's would make a great companion for say, a fishing outing or to throw in the cooler for a trip to the beach. It's got that certain old school novelty feel to it, but is actually a decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2009 06:53:52 | More by Gambrinus1184

skullx

New York

3.75/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

was having nostalgia for this beer for some reason though i ve drank less then a case of this in my life . bought a 40 since they had no six packs let it sit a day . for some reason this beer has never smelled good but its the taste that counts right . poured it into my pint glass nice looking head but first yellow beer i drank in i dont know when . taste excellent . might have to stock up on this stuff im sure my 60 dollar a week beer bill will go down and still have a great tasting beer ale whatever

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2009 23:42:34 | More by skullx

nick76

Florida

2.15/5  rDev -29%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

The aroma is Soda water, yeast, corn, funk, and metal. The appearance is pale gold with a decent head. The flavor is like the aroma. The palate is watery. Overall it's not good. You can do much better than this but of course most of us are just getting a rating.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 21:14:28 | More by nick76

Vendetta

New Jersey

1.35/5  rDev -55.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

Original Rating Date:
June 27, 2008

Had this one before, figure I'll drink it (or pour it, depends how this goes...) to remove it from the cellar. Instant skunkitude from the pour and first whiff. Damned green bottles... The taste isn't much better, there's really nothing there except for a watery, skunky taste. The rest of this is getting dumped, not worth it...

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 01:27:11 | More by Vendetta

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.43/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

"America's Largest Selling Ale" the lime green can told me. Why did I doubt this... out of the half quart of metal this beer was a pale gold color with a tremendous three finger head of cream foam. The retention was average and it left chunks of scattered albeit thin lacing. The aroma was slightly musty and dry, typical American macro lager, very grainy and very generic. The flavors were better, at first a flash of semi-sweet pale malt with a nice grainy center that faded into a bitter, leafy hop finish that was crisp and rather refreshing. The body was medium, the carbonation perfect and smooth and the mouthfeel very pleasant but a little oily. Much better than I was expecting and/or the aroma suggests.

Serving type: can

12-06-2008 15:54:17 | More by thekevlarkid

6470zzy

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Crystal clear pale straw coloring with a nice fluffy head and yes indeed some decent lacing down the sides of my American pint glass.

S- Faint aromas of sweet cut grass and citrus.

T- Slightly sweet with a touch of citrus and a dry bitterness towards the end.

M- Highly carbonated which in turn leads to the perception of a thinner beer.

D- This is a classic "old school" beer, one which I am proud to keep in my beer fridge on a regular basis, don't just save this one for mowing your lawn.

Serving type: can

09-11-2008 22:17:22 | More by 6470zzy

changeup45

Florida

2.4/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

When I read "America's largest selling Ale" on the bottle I thought I was doomed. It's not that bad though. It's golden in color with initially a pretty thick white head that tapers away but a thin head stays. A slightly floral aroma but not much to it. Taste is slightly sweet malt with a very mild hop balance. Easy enough to drink and relatively refreshing, notching it one step above standard crap swill.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 19:02:03 | More by changeup45

JMD

Connecticut

2.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear golden straw, active carbonation, and big head. no lacing

S: Grass, hay, very earthy aroma

T: Same as the smell, grassy, basic macro lager taste

M: Very carbonated. This beer tingles your mouth as you drink it.

D: Basic macro lager, but it goes down like water.

Serving type: can

08-14-2008 01:53:17 | More by JMD

nasty15108

New York

3.63/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsner glass.

To be honest, I'm not used to drinking this stuff when its not directly out of the 40oz, but I'll give it a shot.

A - Poured a clear yellow color with a good amount of carbonation. The pour produced a thick head of white foam and sticky soapy lacing.

S - Ballantine has a grassy, slightly metallic aroma that I can't really compare to any other beer.

T - Slightly sweet and malty up front, followed by a slightly grassy and metallic bitter finish. A little soapiness also detected, but not really in a bad way.

MF&D - Thin bodied with pleanty of carbonation to give you tongue a slight sizzle. A great old school CLASSIC brew. Much better than any of the U.S. macros and you get a little puzzle under the cap to work on while you enjoy your brew, what more can you ask for. Hears a link that give you the answers : http://www.jokelibrary.net/yyDrawings/bottle_caps.html

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 21:35:33 | More by nasty15108

Cresant

Kentucky

2.2/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured this 12 oz. green bottle into a Samuel Adams glass. No date. The body was golden yellow and clear. Active carbonation. Small head left some lacing.

Smell was a little malty. Somewhat peppery. Creamed corn.

Taste was a bit spicy and peppery at first. This flavor drops off leaving a bland sweetness that is not balanced by noticeable bittering. I don't detect the "dry hopping" touted on the label. The label also boasts, "Purity Body Flavor" I suppose two of the three could be correct.

Mouthfeel was medium to light bodied. Zesty carbonation with some slickness. This is an APA but it surely resembles a smaller market macro lager like Iron City.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2008 15:34:10 | More by Cresant

Durge

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This old favorite is something I don't see too often any more, especially in a can so I had to run a quick review. The color is fairly consistent with the bottle, dirty gold with a fair white head and a little lace. The aroma is a little anemic but there is a mild hops bitterness present. It has a smooth light citrus and grass hops flavor. A little dry at the end, tastes similar to the bottle. An easy drinking option and very refreshing as always. Fine.

Serving type: can

07-11-2008 15:49:49 | More by Durge

giblet

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

i remember seeing this beer when i was a kid - 35 years ago. did not know a thing about it. when i was a Piccalo's shop this week i saw a few sixers and thought, wtf i will try anything once.

this is a pretty damn good beer. reminded me of what Rolling Rock was years ago. far better than RR now. pours pale with decent carbonation. smells nice with pale hop aroma. more lacing than i expected. flavor was rather yummy! if it were more available i would have a twelver in my fridge at all times for a nice light change of pace.

give it a try.

suckem up and movem out!!!

giblet

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2008 12:53:38 | More by giblet

Schmidts

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +36.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I am tasting this as I write pours a amber color not much head just a little laceing. Smell of Corn and a little hops.Taste is Very Good and refreshing. Very nice feel in your mouth. This a a very drinkable Ale of the type I drank as a kid! Nice Dry finish and it does not fill you up it is a very Pleasant Ale and you could just sit and drink a few of these and really enjoy them.
I highly recomend giving this fine old type American Ale a try, I am glad after all these years I revisited it.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 01:14:48 | More by Schmidts

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Just doing the Can-Can ...

It poured with a finger's worth of bone-white head that reduced to wisps in no time at all. The color was a bright, light gold with NE-quality clarity. The nose had an interestingly sharp hoppiness to it, not quite as snappy as Saaz, but still sharp. The mouthfeel was medium with a light hop flavor on the tongue. The finish was dry and refreshing. I am a sucker for the "old school" beers and I often take Ballantine to tailgate parties when I cannot find Iron City.

Serving type: can

03-08-2008 23:46:14 | More by woodychandler

becktone

Ohio

1.6/5  rDev -47.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Eye: To the eye this beer looks good. It is, however, much lighter in color than I would have expected. The beer is a clear gold that is active with tons of tiny bubbles rushing to the top. Head is white and foamy, nice retention. I would be more impressed if this looked less like a macro.

Nose: There isn't anything thats too great about the way that this beer smells. A little bit of some spice from the hops, smell to be like a noble variety, and a bit of sweet malt aroma. Tons of adjunct aroma in here, smells much like a macro, but with hops and some malt sweetness behind the adjunct aroma instead of nothing.

Tongue: Harsh and unrounded bitterness hop flavor are the focus of this brews flavor profile. Flavor, like aroma, is weak, watery and non-offensive to the majority. I am not enjoying this beer, I have to say, infact, that this one is better colder, just as a macro is. There are few beers that are best served out of the bottle but this is one of them.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability: Thin and watery in the mouth...overall very disappointing. This is a beer I'll never come back to. If you're looking for a craft beer, it can not be found here. Maybe if this beer was actually made from barley malt instead of rice it would have some flavor and weight to it...but alas.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2008 16:37:45 | More by becktone

mltobin

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I have seen Ballantine in cans and 40oz bottles at stores time and time again, but never purchased it until tonight, why was it that I trusted myself to Olde English and Mickeys in high school ?

Appearance is bright yellow, with a medium sized white head, which is nice and frothy.

Smell is of oranges actually, really suprising.

Taste is sugary, sweet, not too bad, better than some other classic u.s. beers that the gent at the store compared it to.

MF is average, with an after-taste that is not very pleasant.

Drinkability is solid overall, I only bought one this time, but I could see this as a great 6-pack to accompany a social activity.

Serving type: can

02-15-2008 00:28:39 | More by mltobin

Brad007

Vermont

2/5  rDev -34%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a pale yellow color with very minimal head. Aroma is of malt and skunkiness (why in the hell do breweries still use green glass?).

Taste is mostly of malt and it's somewhat bready like a pale ale. I can't detect any hops, which is a shame.

There's not much else here that would fit the style. It's drinkable but thin at the same time. I've seen much, much better pale ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 03:32:11 | More by Brad007

Ptelea

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great light ale with a mild hop bitterness. Good session beer -definitely better than BMC. Share these with a friend --they will thank you. Purchased these in NH, they had several cases and six packs. I have also witnessed these at Kappy's in MA--usaully in tall cans

.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 19:59:31 | More by Ptelea

Dogbrick

Ohio

1.83/5  rDev -39.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a clear golden color with a medium and fizzy white head that dissipates steadily. Stringy lacing. Grainy malt aroma with some corn and weird-smelling hops. Light-bodied with tart sour fruit, earthy malt and light hops. The finish is more grain and malt, with an off-tasting hops aftertaste. Very one dimensional and barely above a drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2007 18:52:49 | More by Dogbrick

dustylong

Ohio

2.42/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a pale yellow color with a small head that dissipates quickly and leaves little or no lacing (poured from a bottle into a pint glass). Has a fairly faint aroma to it, sightly grainy at best with a hint of hops. The taste was a little less than I expected. Once again, very grainy with the slight taste of hops to give it some balance. Kind of a boring taste. Has a light mouthfeel to it with a good amount of carbonation. Overall, not that impressive of a beer, try one if you can't find anything better.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2007 04:54:55 | More by dustylong

Rudgers73

New York

2.73/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Well, it says it is an APA, but it smells remarkably like a pilsener to me...

Pale yellow color, moderate carbonation, small bubbles, retentive 1/4 inch white head. Smells like pilsener hops with wheat and bready yeast in the back. The taste is a bit thin, crisp at the end. Fruity/corny taste. Pretty much one-dimensional flavor profile.

Well it says "Purity, Body, Flavor" on the bottle and it has almost none of each.

Better than Bud Light, not as good as Miller High Life.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2007 22:25:33 | More by Rudgers73

Slar211

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle from the B-Side Liquor Lounge on Coventry, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Appearance: Pours a clear gold into a pint glass. Foamy white head fades fast and leaves little lacing.

Smell: Sweet yet grainy malt with a slight hint of generic hops.

Taste: Sweetness reminds me of a farm, grainy and grassy. Bitter hops balance the taste well enough.

Mouthfeel: A decent medium body that finishes very crisp, bordering on harsh but never going overboard.

Drinkability: This would be a nice summertime beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2007 19:09:50 | More by Slar211