Columbia Common - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

UCLABrewN84

California

3.55/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 12/15/12.

Pours a clear honey orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, biscuit, grain, and grassy aromas. Taste is much the same with malt and grassy flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a distinct grass forward aroma and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 06:09:23 | More by UCLABrewN84

Brad007

Vermont

3.26/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours a dark gold with a one-finger head into my glass. Bog standard. Someone complained that it doesn't look like a pils. That's because it's NOT a pils!

Sweet with a buttery edge. Bit of pine on the nose. The bottle indicates that this was brewed at Redhook's facility in NH.

Pretty much tastes the same as it smells. Light hop flavors/aroma. Tastes close to a bitter for some reason.

Lingering pine and buttery malt make up the mouthfeel. Not bad. Crisp.

If you like the style, you'll like this. I think it's ok.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 05:44:56 | More by Brad007

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

3.79/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was expecting almost a Pilsner style color, but this was much darker than a Pilsner. Not a heavy hop smell - very bready and almost lager-ish. Taste was very similar, not quite a smooth, dark, winter ale but also not quite a light, summer ale. Essentially a beer to have around year-round, I think. Very nice taste and mouthfeel. Again, very lager-ish, but extremely pleasant and enjoyable. I very much enjoy this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:11:31 | More by BrianJohnson

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear medium orangish amber in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation along with some orange and copper highlights. The beer has a finger tall off-white head that slowly reduces to a medium to large patch of thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of toasted malts with earthy hops.

T: Upfront there a light to moderate flavors of toasted malts with light to moderate flavors of grassy and earthy hops. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness are present.

M: Light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Fairly dry throughout.

O: A style that I do not come across very often but I do enjoy trying when I get the chance - a little dryer than I would have expected for the style but enjoyable and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 00:03:48 | More by dbrauneis

TheSixthRing

California

3.71/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - Pours a clear, dark golden amber with an off-white, finger width head. Fair retention. Leaves a broken layer of microbubbles on the surface, while lacing is spotty at best.

Smell - Lightly toasted bread, hints of caramel, light pepper, subdued hops coming across as floral.

Taste - Strong overtones of caramel sweetness met by an addition of toasted bread, touches of honey and moderate grass hop character . Bittersweet finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Nice bite. Goes down with near buttery smoothness.

Overall - Nice take on the style, though I'm not big on the style to begin with. Much like the Ninkasi Spring Reign I had last night, this does well as a spring seasonal release. Easy drinker. Downright sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 01:54:15 | More by TheSixthRing

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lgunitas mason jar.

This style isn't quite as common as the name would suggest... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear sunset bronze topped by a short finger of off-cream foam. The nose comprises flowers, light wheat, a touch of funky wheat, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. The taste holds notes of mild biscuit, greens, light grass, flowers, and a twinge of nougat (yeah, I'm not sure where that came from, either). The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a pretty nice little steam beer, something I could see seasonal drinkers really digging in the sunshiny months.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 20:56:13 | More by TMoney2591

secondtooth

Indiana

4.11/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a lovely, rich amber, with fine a tri-finger head. Lovely spoke-style lace, as well.

Nose is crisp grains and grassy hops. Perfect aroma for a proper lager, so points here, too!

Taste is very palate-pleasing, with a light body but full of flavor. I get enough citrus hops and bready malts to be an ideal balance for a session-style spring lager. Very enjoyable and well-done!

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:04:01 | More by secondtooth

metter98

New York

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: The beer is clear light amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off white head that gradually died down, leaving lots of lacing down the sides of the glass and a thick layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of earthy hops are present in the nose along with some hints of toasted malts.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of toasted malts plus earthy and grassy hops along with a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light-bodied and quite dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. The dryness persists through the finish.
O: This beer may not appeal to mainstream beer drinkers, but it's very good considering the style. I really enjoyed the aromas and flavors imparted by the Columbus hops and the dryness.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 00:25:11 | More by metter98

zeff80

Missouri

3.76/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured out a clear copper color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled floral with a malty/bready backbone.

T - It tasted somewhat spicy with notes of sweet bread and caramel.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a good steam beer, maybe even better than the original.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 02:42:31 | More by zeff80

clayrock81

Virginia

3.41/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured a clearish brown body with decent head and lace on top of a slightly fruity but more piney, earthy hop aroma. Beer isn't bad but I just found it bland (boring) and a little toned down for the masses. There is a good hop presence but it's more of just some minor earthy, piney hops that have a little citric to them and help give off an easy, crisp and dry finish. Not much else going on as some fruit and sweet notes are muted and the beer isn't watery but definitely a thinner body helps you pound it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 11:30:36 | More by clayrock81

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.59/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is a little weak, little head and almost no lacing, despite a rough pour. Color is copper/tan and clear.

Aroma is toasted, caramel, bready, nutty, with a little bit of hops.

Flavor has a nice maltiness, bready and nutty, some caramel, a little citrus and some light hops.

Carbonation is pretty mild and body is fairly light with a slightly slick finish.

Pretty tasty, not fantastic but once you get past the lack of a head it's not a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 13:32:16 | More by AlCaponeJunior

Brenden

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The color is just shy of amber, a nice yellow-orange. It's nearly clear with maybe just a touch of haziness in the middle. An off-white head grows to sit at around 3/4 of a finger. Dissipation is fairly quick, though a sturdy island of foam remains. Lacing is left on the glass by way of light, thin patching and some spotting.
All said, this is a nice beer overall and, as I understand, a very nice example of a Common. There's some dryness to it and some toast in the nose lends itself to a cereal grains note, but over all of that is a solid, sturdy aspect of what really comes out in the flavor: a predominantly floral note complemented by grass and a bit of perfume. It's got sweetness as well, which really rounds it out nicely as well as creating an added complexity. Pear and apple flesh, a lightly herbal note, and even a touch of woodiness make for a very well-rounded flavor profile.
The carbonation works for this beer; it doesn't go crazy, doesn't get too spritzy or bite too hard. It does, however, provide this beer with a good nip and a creaminess in a light-medium body.
All in all, this was a pleasant surprise for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 13:16:48 | More by Brenden

constantine_272

Oregon

4.01/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Light brown with a redish tint. Extremely low white head. Highly carbonated.

S: Malt. Slightly bready. A hint of yeast and a tiny bit of warm spice, maybe nutmeg.

T: Initial taste is of wheat and rye which fades fast to a tingle of mellow hops. I detect a hint of tangy grapefruit which adds an understated brightness. A spice flavor lingers on the finish.

M: Full consistency at first from the malts, but the hop finish wipes the slate mostly clean.

O: I bought a six pack of this. The first one I didn't like so much. I had another a few weeks later and it really is starting to work for me. At first I thought there wasn't enough hop to balance out the flavor but I changed my mind. Though not ad hoppy as some of my more usual beers, it is actually quite balanced. It would make a good session beer. It's a tasty beer but its missing something to really make it pop.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 03:49:28 | More by constantine_272

RJLarse

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I bought a six-pack of Columbia Common in a grocery store. Poured into a pint glass.

Pours a medium gold color, clear, with a thin bubbly white head. A few bubbles are rising in the glass.

Smell is faint, a light grain aroma perhaps.

The taste is good. A cereal flavor up front, with a mild bitter fruit flavor on the finish and a dry bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is light crisp and clean.

Overall a nice beer, and very timely for the coming of spring.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:50:29 | More by RJLarse

jamiecoppin

North Dakota

2.48/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

Appearance: pours a beautifully clear copper color with a bountiful head that dissipated quickly

Smell: pretty disappointing aromatics. Not a whole lot going on. Just a generic grainy scent with a hint of citrus

Taste: Crisp and grainy. The taste does not linger for more than a second.

Mouthfeel: very thin

Overall: I'm not a lager guy and this does nothing to convert me. This beer offers me nothing to get excited about. It tastes as about generic and boring as this review.

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 22:08:07 | More by jamiecoppin

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

a style of beer id like to see come around a little more, this is a great spring seasonal with all the necessary attributes. it pours an amber to copper color, clean and neat, with an inch of lasting white head. the nose is pretty well hopped, a little citrusy, with a fairly big malt profile for such a light and crisp beer. there isn't rye in this, but is has a certain spice element to the smell as well. the flavor is really well balanced. plenty of grain happening, some caramel sweetness, a little tannic thing going on, and a good size body. the hops are exclusively in the finish, hardly bitter at all, but of a neutral fruity feel to them, good compliment to the bigger malt flavors. the finish is super crisp and refreshing, and this is an easy beer to drink quite a few of. I like it in early spring here because its got the clean satisfying drinkability and summery hop complexion, but it also has enough body to be useful when its still cold out. a well made example of a style that I am finding I really enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 18:22:06 | More by StonedTrippin

shand

Florida

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

It's been a while since I've had a steam beer. Columbia Common is a beautiful beer, it pours out a brilliant copper color capped with a lovely head. The aroma is a little weak and what's there of the toasted malts is a bit. It ticks the flavor marks just right though, with that whole "not a lager, not yet an ale" thing going on, with a wonderful slight malty nuttiness. A bit of hops hang out with a grainy finish. The mouthfeel is on the heavier side of light and highly carbonated, and the drinkability is solid. A solid attempt at a under-brewed style.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 19:02:40 | More by shand

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottled 12/12/12

Pours an effervescent honey /bronze color with 2+ fingers of pearl colored head. Good lacing & alright head retention

S: Green apple skins, some dry cereal scent, pear notes, a bit of toastyness

T: Pears, a touch of herbal hops & some lemon zest up front. Fruittyness & a touch of lemons as this warms, plus a some dryness & golden delcious apple. Finishes fruity & crisp

MF: Medium bodied, light carbonation, crispness picks up as this warms, nicely balanced

This started a little shakey, but improved as it warmed. Very drinkable, would love to get some fresher just to see if it is any better

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 05:19:26 | More by russpowell

Zorro

California

3.88/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Clear copper colored ale with a medium sized off-white colored head. Darker than expected.

Smells malty with a strong caramel scent. Herbal and fruity hop with some grass. Toasted grain an a faint scent of melon and roasted chile pepper. Smells woody and very faintly smoky.

Starts out mildly sweet and woody with a strong caramel syrup on wheat biscuit taste. Bitterness is about medium and perfectly matched the the malt. Some mineral water taste. Faint wood and smoke. Not real complex but it is quite tasty.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall a surprisingly tasty beer. Wasn't expecting much here but this is an excellent mild ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 22:30:15 | More by Zorro

mactrail

California

3.49/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a fairly dark amber with golden highlights. Attractive appearance with a nice cap of foam on the tall glass. Modest beer smell with a hint of apricots.

Light body with a faint oily sensation. A little of the biscuity taste. Hops are pretty shy, but there is a nice herbal zing and a little resin in the nose. Just slightly bitter in the aftertaste.

Overall, this is a light and quaffable brew of no real distinction, but I'm always willing to try a lower-alcohol beer from a reputable brewery. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Sprout's Market in San Diego. I've got five more bottles from the sixer, so this will probably end up at DIPA Helper.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:46:28 | More by mactrail

tdm168

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A - pale, see through orangish amber with a thin cap of soft, white head that has little retention

S - very faint nose; citrus, toast, caramel

T - caramel, some sweetness, lagery taste, very faint bitterness in the finish

M - light bodied, well carbonated

This is a disappointing beer. The nose offers very little. The flavor follows. There isn't much here. It's a simple, subtle flavor profile. The mouthfeel is also a bit thin. This just isn't for me. I need something a little more bold and flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:44:03 | More by tdm168

mattkoon

South Carolina

3.44/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

ive only had a few beers from widmer bros. and theyve all been pretty good, i really like their drifter pale ale... their columbia common is ok, not as good as the drifter.

the color is reall nice...brown with maybe a very slight redish hue. there is a slight hoppiness in the nose- not strong at all. the taste is similar- a weak hoppiness and a watery finish. the mouth feel is pretty good and it seems pretty drinkable. i could drink a few and watch a game, not heavy at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 12:26:04 | More by mattkoon

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A finger of head on a medium straw colored body.
The aroma smells like a sack of grain, which is nice enough.
A light, dry bitterness; with a mild sweet note and a medium dry, grain finish.
The texture is crisp and light with moderate carbonation.
A flavorful but still light ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 02:24:02 | More by Fatehunter

flagmantho

Washington

3.73/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Apperance: medium orange hue with a haze-free body and a moderate effervescence. Head is a finger of frothy ivory foam with moderate retention. Not too bad.

Smell: toasty malt aroma with a very yeasty/bready character. There's a resiny twist at the end which may be the hops. Mostly clean, but a little bit raw if you're not expecting it.

Taste: much like the aroma, but a little bit rounder and more finished in general. Creamy, yeasty flavor to which the toasty malt provides a little contrast; the hops are kind of minty and resiny, and bitterness is on the low side but still balanced.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a well-integrated carbonation and a pretty big, satisfying creaminess. I like it.

Overall: while this beer seems a little rough around the edges, it's actually not a bad example of the style. This beer is worth a try if you are into the style and want to expand beyond Anchor Steam Beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 23:27:23 | More by flagmantho

avalon07

South Carolina

3.94/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a clear texture. There was a half inch of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Fair lacing.

S: An okay, if somewhat underwhelming, aroma of malt and light hops.

T: More than anything else, malt was the centerpiece of the flavor. It's not overbearing, but certainly very present. Also had light malt and a citrus element as well. A solid, light flavor.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a lively, yet smooth, finish. Light-bodied.

O: While this beer won't win any points for originality or complexity, it is refreshing and easy to like. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 22:17:21 | More by avalon07