Review: Even Keel

Have you been to the grocery store or liquor store lately? You may have noticed that there is a sh’load of beers cluttering up the fridges and the shelves in damn near every shop that you visit. This is a great thing! After what seems like a lifetime, we beer-loving Utahns are finally getting the suds selection that many have been screaming for since the late ‘80s. If you’re a frequent reader of the SLUG “Beer Reviews” (Hi, Mom!), you may have observed that (for the most part) every month, we get to sink our teeth into new beers. The Salt Lake market is being inundated with outside brands like never before. This month is no different. Not only do we continue to offer new brews to discuss, we can also add new beers from new local breweries. Our beers this month are mostly homegrown and specifically made for these hot August days.

Even Keel

Brewery/Brand: Ballast Point Brewing Co.
ABV: 3.8%
Serving Style: 12-oz. bottle, 12-oz. can, draft

Description: Even Keel pours a golden amber color with a sudsy two fingers of head that has staying power halfway through the glass. The nose has a nice, bright, citrusy and floral blast with little in the way of malt sweetness. The taste starts with tangerine rind and grapefruit. Thin malts come next with a resin-y punch of bitterness in the end. It finishes light and dry.

Overview: While this is a nice beer, its price point and low ABV (even for Utah) may make the casual beer shopper look for another option. It’s a nice session IPA, but I was hoping for a little more from a Ballast Point offering.