Some people don’t like lagers, and I don’t know why. There is a time for every beer in the beer world, I think, and lagers are no exception to that rule. Of course, there are a large variety of lagers, from bocks to doppelbocks, Helles to Viennas. I suspect that when some people say that they don’t like lagers, they are referring to Pilsner and Helles styles.
While it’s true these beers are not as complex as some of the sledgehammer brerws all the rage these days, well-made examples do have their own allure. The delicate interplay of malt and hop can be a thing of beauty to behold. So, if you happen to find yourself with a glass of Ballast Point Longfin Lager before you, judge it on its own merits and not against a barrel aged imperial stout.
Ballast Point says of Longfin Lager:
A classic German-style beer, brewed in San Diego.
Our
Longfin Lager has become one of the go-to beers with the team at the
brewery. A solidly balanced Helles that finishes clean with a hint of hops,
it would easily fit in at any German beer garden. But we think it’s perfect
for enjoying on the beach, the boat or anywhere else you can put an ice
chest full of beer.
I paid $6.25 for a 20-ounce mug of Ballast point Longfin Lager at Taco Mac. It’s also sold in cans and bottles. The beer has an alcohol content of 4.5% and 18 IBUs. That IBU count seems a bit light to me actually. I got a free point glass with my purchase as well.
My mug of Ballast Point Longfin Lager arrived a pale golden color with a light spritzy head formation and a soft malty nose. I like the crisp biscuit malt up front, and the beer is smooth and clean of esters. It could certainly use more hops in the finish, though. There are a little, and they are lemony, but I prefer grassy hops in my lagers. Definitely needs more bitterness for my taste.
Judged as a lager (Helles) it’s OK, but just OK. I would likely buy it again as a warm weather quencher, but all in all I’d be more likely to buy a Penn Gold Lager or Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold when in the mood for this style.
Update 08/30/2018: Ballast Point Longfin Lager again at Taco Mac, and once again, a beer of the month. This soft malty helles Lager is perfect for the late August heat. Toasting the Beer Hunter on the 11th anniversary of his passing. $6.80 with a free glass.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft