Lost Coast Great White

Why I tried this: I had had the Lost Coast Downtown Brown on tap quite a while back. So, when I saw this brew on tap, I recognized the brewer name, and thought I'd give them another shot. Their brown ale was fairly decent, and I was in the mood for something lighter after my porter binge.

Smell: Had a scent of citrus, but mostly smelled of wheat grains. Moderately pleasant, not very strong.

Taste: This one was interesting. In addition to the usual wheat flavor, I detected a bit of oatmeal as well. To top it off, a note of orange peel hits you as you finish your sip. The flavors were a bit lacking and left me wanting more.

Overall, I wasn't very impressed with this beer. I wasn't sure whether to give it a quarter full or half empty beer award, but I've leaned towards the half full award. It's just too forgettable a beer. The taste just isn't bold enough, and what's in there doesn't really make for that great of a mix. Would likely stick to Lost Coast's Downtown Brown, if anything.

--Jeff

Lost Coast Downtown Brown

Why I tried this: I was on a brown ale binge the day I tried the Downtown Brown. After having the Shipyard Brewer's Brown Ale and being disappointed, I wanted to leave on a high note, so I asked the bartenders at World of Beer UCF for a recommendation. This is what I received.

Smell: Good and malty, just the way a brown ale should be.

Taste: I took my first sip and got a mouthful of nice, dark malts. Behind the maltiness was a bit of nuttiness, which complemented the flavor fairly well. The only down side I can say about the taste was that it was perhaps too simple.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 7. With a malty smell accompanied by a dark, malty, nutty taste, this brown ale was good but somewhat pedestrian. It was fairly light and drinkable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a beer of this type. Brewed in California, this 5.0% ABV beer is probably about on par with Newcastle. I may or may not get it again.

--Jeff

I dont really like brown ales that much but this one was OK. 7/10

--Jon