Beer Review: Ghost Town Brewing – Cinder West Coast Pilsner
Location: Oakland, CA
Style: West Coast Pilsner
ABV: 5.1%
Ghost Town Brewing has built a reputation for making some of the “meanest” and cleanest West Coast beers in the game, and Cinder is no exception. While some breweries play it safe with the style, Ghost Town leans into the aggressive, lupulin-forward nature that defines the modern West Coast Pilsner.
The Pour
Cinder pours a luminous, pale straw color that is almost vibrantly clear. A vigorous pour yields a thick, two-finger head of tight white bubbles that leaves behind some impressive “Belgian lace” on the glass. It looks exactly like what you want on a hot afternoon: bright, cold, and dangerously drinkable.
The Aroma
The nose is a New Zealand hop lover’s dream. Thanks to the Nelson and Riwaka, you’re immediately hit with that signature “diesel and fruit” punch. There’s a massive amount of white grape skin, passionfruit, and a sharp, peppery diesel note. Tucked underneath is the Bract 106, which seems to add a soft, sweet floral layer that keeps the more pungent NZ hops from becoming overbearing.
The Flavor Profile
The first sip is a total palate cleanser. It starts with a brief flash of crackery pilsner malt, think fresh-baked bread crust, but it’s quickly overtaken by the hops.
Mid-palate: I’m getting tons of grapefruit zest and gooseberry.
The Finish: This is where Cinder shines. It is bone-dry. There is zero residual sweetness here, just a crisp, biting bitterness that snaps shut on the tongue.
The Verdict
At 5.1% ABV, this is a “crusher” with the soul of an IPA. It’s light enough to have three of them at a backyard BBQ, but complex enough to sit and analyze while you watch the sunset. It manages to be “dank” without being heavy, and “fruity” without being juicy.
Quick Take: If you find standard Pilsners too boring and West Coast IPAs too heavy for a Tuesday afternoon, Cinder is your new best friend. It’s lean, mean, and incredibly green.