Portsmouth California Common - Portsmouth Brewery

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

picked up a bomber to go at the shop. Anchor Steam's been the only "california common" i've had, so i've gotta give this a whirl.

liberal pouring yields a small, quick-to-fade off-white head. the brew itself is a brilliant shade of copper. biscuity malts in the nose balance themselves against a light fruitty hoppiness. the taste is malt-forward but still crisp, earthy, and refreshing. nice bitterness in the finish, and there's a booziness there as well. it's a little flat.

the appearance, aroma, and most of the taste is pretty damn good. it could benefit from a bit more carbonation. i love this brewery and it's great to see them taking shots at rarer craft offerings this or cream ale, for instance. get some.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 18:39:41 | More by NardiByNature

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark amber pour with almost no head. It's crystal clear and intensely hoppy. The taste matches with a clean lager mouthfeel that refreshes and coats the palate with it's bitterness. It's an incredibly drinkable beer that was better than expected. Definitely recommended and worth trying if it's available.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 03:10:24 | More by ThePorterSorter

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.73/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Wandered into the Brewery last week, and saw this had been added to the lineup. Didn't get a chance to try it last fall. It was a faintly cloudy orange with a small head. Average aroma, somewhat floral. A sweet taste with a nice, not intense, hoppiness. Smooth, balanced mouthfeel. I would imagine this to be a good session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2006 11:50:12 | More by lordofthewiens

meathookjones

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from a bomber. Body is a clear orange with a small white head that left a bit of lace on the glass as it was consumed. Light malty sweet notes with a bit of grain to bit. Mild overall but pleasant and fairly fitting. Sweet and doughy malts make up the majority of flavor. Lightly bitter hoppy finish. Smooth and crisp all around beer that would make for a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2006 18:28:41 | More by meathookjones

Hagbard

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from a bomber purchased directly at the brewery. It pours a crystal clear light gold with a dainty white head that dissipates quickly. The aroma is understated a bit, infused with a malty base providing a sweetness. A touch of hops in the background counteract this. The taste is very interesting. It starts off with a touch of sweetness, whic is followed by a biscuity element...almost toasty. It's very apparent when the beer is cold. Mixed with this is a touch of diacetyl, but not enough to be off putting...this produces another touch of sweetness. The diacetyl provides a nice complement to the cracker/biscuit taste. The finish turns bitter as the hops work themselves in. It finishes crisp and dry with a bitter aftertaste that has just a hint of diacetyl in the background. The carbonation seems a little lighter than I was expecting, but it goes down very easily. A nice session beer and an interesting style.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2005 13:19:18 | More by Hagbard

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A nice juicy California Common. Poured a crystal clear brown that almost seemed to sparkle. A thin head that--for all intents and purposes--completely receded.

Nose was very much evident. Something I always find lacking for the style. Nice crisp crackers came out as well as some malts and light hops.

Pretty chewy for a style that is usually light and crisp. The malts provided a nice sweet base but they also came through as some nice crackers and biscuits. some fruits--apples and pears--peaked through. Slight hop presence toward the end.

Crisp feel and with a slightly dry finish. Almost oily because of the malts, but the dryness follows it quickly and dispelled it.

A great drinking beer with my burger I had for lunch.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2005 22:08:29 | More by MuddyFeet