Showing posts with label Kolsch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kolsch. Show all posts

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Phillips Analogue 78

I hesitate to review this beer because it isn't that bad, but it isn't a proper representation of that style. There have been several Kolsch style ales unleashed into Victoria recently. Here is the rundown: Craig Street (bleck, very unlike Craig St. stuff), Nelson Harvest Hemp (meh), Spinnakers Swan-Lake Kolsch (depends on how long it has been in the tank) and now this Phillips thing. If you truly want to make your tastebuds happy, get them a real Kolsch. A true Kolsch is one of those hybrid beers; an ale that has been lagered for a while. This style of beer can be lagered for up to a month. Only certain breweries with the German city of Cologne can call their beers Kolsch. They even have their own glass: a 200ml cylinder called a Stange.

Phillips Analogue 78 = 1/10

Ratebeer 2.2/5  percentile
Beer Advocate No one even bothered

Let me break it down by the BJCP guidelines. Aroma should be very low and perhaps a bit of fruitiness. This Analogue stinks of sulfur, corn and wet grains, best drank cold - very cold. Sulfur in low amounts is OK, but not like this. Drink this one straight from the bottle. A true Cologne Kolsch is a delicate beverage. There are faint fruits, mild spicy noble hops and a very dry finish. On every Seattle trip, I make an effort to pick up a bottle of real Kolsch. The Analogue mouthfeel is oily and chewy. I can't quite put my finger on the flavour, perhaps a recently dry-cleaned wet blanket. Don't forget the cereal, lettuce and musty/skunky hops. I shouldn't have left this beer warm up. There is still one bottle in my fridge; if anyone wants it let me know. Call this brew a cream or blonde ale and don't taint the noble German name.

Taste 0
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content 0 5%
Value 0
Appearance +1 (fun Edwardian/Steampunk label)

Other Kolsch Reviews
Gaffel Kolsch
Reissdorf Kolsch
Hale's Ales Kolsch Style

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Kolsch Style (Hales Ales)

I have come to the realization that I am a failure. Last years resolution was to get caught up documenting all my 33beer journals. The current journal is numbered 14; journal #2 has not been finished. Sighhh. such is the life of a beer ticker.

Kolsch Style (Hale's Ales) = 3/10

Ratebeer 2.97 44th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

I like a good Kolsch style but so many are done poorly; have people never tried a true Kolsch before. This one is pretty good; very light nose with straw, honey and spicy hops. The nose is also very lager-like despite being an ale. A very clean sip produces dancing flavours of apricot, honey, straw/grass with a lightly spicy hop snap at the end. There is a bit of light fruits and apricots in there also. This is not a flavour powerhouse, but something calm and refreshing. Very much suited for a hot patio.

Taste +3
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content -1 4.5%
Value +1
Appearance 0

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Gaffel Kolsch

A properly prepared Kolsch is a thing of beauty. These ales undergo considerable lagering and are clean, lightly fruity with a crisp hop finish. A very delicate brew. I'm sorry if it's not from Cologne it's crap.

Gaffel Kolsch = 5/10
Ratebeer 2.94 43rd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

It just smells clean: like fresh cut grass and organic orange peel. Up front a refreshing, spicy hop tingle clears the palate for a wash of green apple, lemon and straw. The finish is gloriously clean with no off flavours/DMS. I could drink this every day and be a happy man. The description does not fully describe the refreshing nature of this beer.

Taste +4
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content -1 4.8%
Value +1
Appearance +1

Reissdorf Kolsch

Friday, January 22, 2010

Reissdorf Kolsch


Reissdorf Kolsch

Ratebeer 3.14 60th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

This was the real treat at the Tactical Nuclear Penguin Tasting Party. It was the direct opposite in taste to the Penguin. The Kolsch was light, grassy and flowery.

Taste +4

The nose was very faint but hints of topical fruits and fireweed honey could be noted. Every sip was very light, crisp and dry. The tongue was lightly graced with honey, bread and grasses. People really under appreciate a light and refreshing brew.

Aftertaste +1

It was very crisp and dry with a slight sweetness.

Alcohol Content -1 4.8%

Not all beers need to be strong to be pleasing to the palate.

Value +1

This was an uncomplicated and refreshing beer.

Ingame Enhancement +1

No one expected this brew to impress the beer geeks after the Penguin.

Overall 6/10

It was very light and refreshing. You could drink these all day long on a warm patio and be one happy person. I also had a Kolsch style at Spinnakers and found it just as refreshing.

Bitburger Pils and Palms Springs
Steam Whistle Pilsner