Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
San Diego, California USA

Pours a clear orange copper with a moderate beige head. Aroma of some piney citrus, caramel malts, some toasted grain. This is quite hoppy and bitter, though the balance is there. The flavor is more pine and then turns to citrus. Medium bodied, soft moderate carbonation. Good beer.

22 oz bottle. Point Loma Seafood - San Diego. Ballast Point redeems itself after the Yellowtail incident. Drank perfect with a hearty fish sandwich. Copper color - thick head. Medium body with FULL flavor. Bitter finish. Beautiful beer. My full rec.

This beer is a brilliantly clear brown-tinged amber color that is topped by a frothy, one-finger thick tan colored head, that even leaves some lacing patterns as I work my way through this glass. The aroma is nicely hoppy up front with notes of sweet orange peel being dominant. An interesting herbal note soon follows, but leads to a solid toasty grain note. Underneath is a solid caramel note that adds to the secondary, yet noticeable malt character. The nose really strikes a nice balance, definitely leaning towards the hoppy side of the spectrum, but it has a nice malt backbone.

The beer is well enough carbonated to cause a nice prickle of carbonation as it passes through my mouth. A solid bitterness accompanies the carbonation and adds to the sharp quality of this brew. The beer is fairly light on the palate, there is an ample malt body, but it seems to be balanced quite well by the lingering bitterness, which makes one want to take another sip (or at least this one does). There is lots of American hop character here as well; notes of grapefruit, orange peel and even a bit of resinous pine like character are certainly the dominant note up front. The malt character is not as noticeable as it was in the aroma, it really plays even more of a supporting role here. Perhaps a hint of toasted malt notes peek through, and the sweeter malt notes are not even really all that noticeably, except that they allow the citrus-like hop notes to come to the fore.

This is a fabulous example of an Amber ale, hoppy and flavorful, like a hoppy Pale Ale even. I definitely recommend this to those sick of bland craft brewed Amber ales. A 22oz of this beer is the perfect amount as well; it allows for a mini-quaffing session, which is what this beer is made for.

<font size=-4>Purchased at: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/arizona/scottsd Brewing Co, Scottsdale, AZ<font size=-1>

22 oz Bottle. A real good floral aroma. Amber body with off white head. Good medium bodied citrus flavor. This was a good refreshing brew outside as it was over 100 degrees.

Bottle poured a nice red amber with a thick, creamyhead. Aroma is a heavy citrus and pine and flavor. Light/ medium body, easy drinking with a easy citrus and spice finish.

Thanks to Foolish mortal for this one. The pour is very deep copper/ruby with a 1-finger off-white head. The aroma is caramel malt, some toffee, resiny hops, and fruit. The flavor is caramel malty up front, with some toffee, giving way to a firm piney hop presence coupled with citrus. Medium, smooth palate. this just might be the finest amber ale I’ve ever quaffed.

22oz bottle acquired in trade with DarkElf (thanks!). Poured a deep orange color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, lightly spicy, and some citrus. Tastes of caramel, citrus, and a little nutty.

(bottle - 22 oz) Deep orange/copper color with a nice and lasting white head. Aroma is a nice mix of malts, caramel, and lots of hops. Flavor begins malty and sweet with a crisp malt middle and a nice and smooth bitter hop finish. Aftertaste is very bitter and hoppy. Medium bodied. Thanks Dan.