Ballast Point

Beer Review – Ballast Point Pale Ale (Yellowtail)

By on • ( 6 Comments )

While in San Diego, we stopped at Café Coyote and with dinner I opted for a Ballast Point Pale Ale (Yellowtail). From the Ballast Point site:

“There’s no wonder why our Pale Ale is so popular—it is skillfully crafted in the style of the Kolsch beers of Cologne, Germany. We’ve chosen German hops for aroma, and rounded out the recipe with a blend of American and German malts.
While it is very much like a pilsner, our Pale Ale is fermented at ale temperatures, giving it a subdued fruitiness—a perfect compliment to the crispness of the wheat and maltiness of the Munich malt. If you like a lighter brew but also like the complexity of craft beers, then our Pale Ale is for you.”

I found the Ballast Point Pale Ale to have the following characteristics.

    • Appearance: Golden yellow with good foam and lacing.
    • Aroma: Citrus and malt.
    • Taste: Mild carbonation and body. Nice flavor with a great finish.
    • ABV: 5%

This was a very good, crisp and refreshing beer. It made for a great pairing with my carne asada burrito. I was left with just one question, why is Ballast Point marketing it as a pale ale as it is far more of a Kolsch than it is a pale ale?

Categories: Ballast Point, Brew Review

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6 replies »

  1. I believe the Kolsch style is very strictly defined, at least in Germany, as to its fermenting, specs, etc. if this brew doesn’t meet those specs Ballast Point probably wouldn’t call it a Kolsch. Pale Ale on the other hand just seems to be used for any light ale. Pale Ale is also easier to sell to the American consumer, perhaps.

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  2. Sounds like an ale that’s been lagered and uses german malt like a Kolsch, but not as hoppy as a pale, which I suppose would make it taste more like a Kolsch. I’m confused 🙂 and thirsty.

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