Ballast Point Brewing Company Homework Series #8

**Aroma:** “A prominent sulfur note surrounds all other aromas but is not unpleasant. Some light spice and floral characters, along with an earthy, woody hops aroma. A little musty, like a root cellar, along with some almost copper-like minerality.” **Flavor:** “A nice, delicate sweet biscuit malt profile that complements the hops bitterness. Some light minerality adds a bit of complexity that highlights the malt character, with some earthy and musty notes. The carbonation helps open up the hops, allowing the flavors to stay on the tongue with a crisp, welcoming feel.” **Overall:** “A well-crafted, well-executed beer that stays true to tradition while adding some small twists to keep it feeling new. Crisp and simple, with the blend of bitter and biscuit. Very pleasant to the palate and invites a second glass.”

**Aroma:** “Eclectic combination of hops—spicy, floral, tropical fruit, melon, and grass, along with citrus, light fruity notes, passion fruit, stone fruit, peach, apricot, tangerine, herbal, and dank. Spicy clove and pepper phenols, with a heavy dose of floral. Wheat, with some malt sweetness in the background.” **Flavor:** “Big time stone fruit, especially peach, with passion fruit and a bit of mango. Pine, mint, herb, and grass in the background. Clove and pepper phenols, and light, clean wheat. Grapefruit, which builds throughout the sip, and crescendos to a bitter finish.” **Overall:** “Wonderfully complex hops aroma that’s loaded with stone fruits up front and transitions to an herbal, dank, and piney retronasal—hops lovers, rejoice! It’s crisp and dry, with a little bit of sweetness to get you through the bitterness and a body that stands up to that.”

**Aroma:** “Huge citronella, strawberry, and bubblegum with some heavy floral aromas. Quite piney, with lemongrass, lemon polish, ginger, and slight earthiness. Some soft spice notes of coriander and pink peppercorns; phenolics add complexity. A touch of musty old honey as it warms.” **Flavor:** “Complex blend of strawberry, bubblegum, orange, and a touch of lemon. The wheat character supports and adds richness; the phenolics are more subtle than on the aroma. Slight honey sweetness, bright floral notes, and coriander spice dominate. Finishes creamy with very fine carbonation but dries out a bit too quickly, with a slight acidic aftertaste.” **Overall:** “The ester complexity blends well with the wheat smoothness. Has a unique spice character. An intriguing beer that’s thirst-quenching and needs just that last little bit to raise it beyond.”