Calico Amber Ale is one of the beers that built Ballast Point. It dates back to the brewery’s earliest days, it has picked up gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, and it is still the brewery’s benchmark for what an American amber ale should be. Taking its cue from traditional English ESBs, it leans on malt complexity first and lets American hops add the bite.

The basics

• Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, CA)
• Style: American Amber Ale
• ABV: 5.5%
• IBU: 35

What to expect

Calico pours a rich copper color with a lasting tan head. Four types of malt give it a bold, layered backbone: caramel and toffee up front, a toasty breadiness underneath, and a fruity, madeira-like richness that comes from the brewery’s proprietary yeast strain. American hops keep it from turning sweet, adding a floral aroma and a distinct, clean bitterness on the finish.

The body is medium and rounded, and the whole beer drinks smoothly enough that a second pour is an easy decision. This is a fall-friendly, food-friendly amber: it pairs naturally with grilled meats, burgers, and sharp cheese, and it works just as well on its own after a long day.

Our rating

7.0/10

Rated by Alex (7). Alex puts this one at a 7, and that score feels right for a beer that does its job with no fuss. The malt depth is real, the hop bite keeps it balanced, and the fruity yeast character gives it a personality that most ambers never find. It will not reinvent the style for you, but as a classic, medal-winning amber from one of San Diego’s founding breweries, it earns its place in the fridge.