Kihei Kolsch | Maui Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Maui Brewing Co.
Hawaii, United States
mauibrewingco.com
Style: German Kölsch
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.20%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Few beers are as stylistically unique as Kolsch and even fewer have such strong community ties and tradition. Kolsch has a rich brewing history that has defined Koln. Brewed to celebrate our new craft brewery location "Kihei Kolsch" embodies our sense of place and deep appreciation for the island that created Maui Brewing Co.
Kihei Kolsch is a light, crisp and flavorful offering, perfect for a warm Maui day in our Kihei biergarten or at the beach! This Kolsch is brewed with the lightest European Pilsner malts, a blend of traditional German noble hops and spicy, citrusy hops from the Pacific Northwest.
Added by UCLABrewN84 on 01-01-2015
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 52 | Reviews: 18
Reviews by illy44:
3.87/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I noticed the cans at my local Bevmo. Looke quite German. so I tried.
The beer is labeled being a true German Koelsch brewed from premium pilsner hops.
While it can't match the original German Koelsch (Go and have have a Frueh Koelsch in their brew pub next to the dome) - it still is a quite good and drinkable beer in the Koelsch family.
It's not outstanding and also the fact that it is being sold in cans only won't make me buy it again.
Where I'm coming from - beer in a can is sold in Discount stores and you usually have a headache the next day.
Other than that it has a quite refreshing not overly overpowering pilsner taste.
637 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I noticed the cans at my local Bevmo. Looke quite German. so I tried.
The beer is labeled being a true German Koelsch brewed from premium pilsner hops.
While it can't match the original German Koelsch (Go and have have a Frueh Koelsch in their brew pub next to the dome) - it still is a quite good and drinkable beer in the Koelsch family.
It's not outstanding and also the fact that it is being sold in cans only won't make me buy it again.
Where I'm coming from - beer in a can is sold in Discount stores and you usually have a headache the next day.
Other than that it has a quite refreshing not overly overpowering pilsner taste.
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More User Reviews:
3.93/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Maui Brewing Company in Kihei, HI.
Pours a hazy golden-yellow with a foamy white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and grass aromas. Taste is much the same with grain, grass, and hay flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.
Serving type: on tap.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Maui Brewing Company in Kihei, HI.
Pours a hazy golden-yellow with a foamy white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and grass aromas. Taste is much the same with grain, grass, and hay flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.
Serving type: on tap.
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3.68/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can, with a very German-seeming colour scheme - a obvious ode to the style's origins.
This beer pours a slightly hazy, pale golden yellow hue, with three fingers of puffy, tightly foamy, and yet fizzy off-white head, which leaves some sparse splattered and sudsy lace around the glass as it quickly dissolves.
It smells of bready, doughy pale malt, ethereal white biscuit notes, a twinge of acerbic citrus, suggestions of earthy yeast, and a mild floral, leafy, and grassy hoppiness. The taste is grainy, lightly crackery pale malt, a further biscuity breadiness, apple and generic citrus fruit, a gentle hard water flintiness, and more peppy leafy, weedy, and grassy hops.
The carbonation is fairly supportive and a tad tingly in its work-a-day frothiness, the body an adequate middleweight, and generally smooth, a small sassy hoppiness butting its way in. It finishes trending rather dry, the graininess of the malt and zippy hops predominating.
An easy to drink, and mostly engaging version of the style, nothing complicated here, folks. Other than where this one originates, of course, but hey, for we in western North America, Hawai'i is just about as far away as Koln itself.
1,194 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can, with a very German-seeming colour scheme - a obvious ode to the style's origins.
This beer pours a slightly hazy, pale golden yellow hue, with three fingers of puffy, tightly foamy, and yet fizzy off-white head, which leaves some sparse splattered and sudsy lace around the glass as it quickly dissolves.
It smells of bready, doughy pale malt, ethereal white biscuit notes, a twinge of acerbic citrus, suggestions of earthy yeast, and a mild floral, leafy, and grassy hoppiness. The taste is grainy, lightly crackery pale malt, a further biscuity breadiness, apple and generic citrus fruit, a gentle hard water flintiness, and more peppy leafy, weedy, and grassy hops.
The carbonation is fairly supportive and a tad tingly in its work-a-day frothiness, the body an adequate middleweight, and generally smooth, a small sassy hoppiness butting its way in. It finishes trending rather dry, the graininess of the malt and zippy hops predominating.
An easy to drink, and mostly engaging version of the style, nothing complicated here, folks. Other than where this one originates, of course, but hey, for we in western North America, Hawai'i is just about as far away as Koln itself.
1,194 characters
3.57/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
APPEARANCE: Very clean looking straw color with a slight orange hue. A brilliantly white, rocky head of about two fingers thick puffed up as soon as the beer was poured and took a good three minutes to settle into a couple of hills of foam. Lacing is sporadic, but always there in some way.
SMELL: This kind of smells like a good Oktoberfest, with a nice bready aroma. Some light citrus and maybe a hint of grass from the hops is also there.
TASTE: The bread from the nose come through big time. Light citrus, floral and slightly grassy notes round out the bread.
MOUTHFEEL: Nice, strong, but not fizzy carbonation. There is a mild sweetness up front that quickly fades into a dry, crisp finish. Yes, it's still a light body, but not as light as many other Kolsch's.
OVERALL: This is a genuinely gulpable beer. I could easily finish a can of this in four sips/gulps, but I'd rather sip it. Perfection for a summer beer and just enough body to make this a huge, winner, summer beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
APPEARANCE: Very clean looking straw color with a slight orange hue. A brilliantly white, rocky head of about two fingers thick puffed up as soon as the beer was poured and took a good three minutes to settle into a couple of hills of foam. Lacing is sporadic, but always there in some way.
SMELL: This kind of smells like a good Oktoberfest, with a nice bready aroma. Some light citrus and maybe a hint of grass from the hops is also there.
TASTE: The bread from the nose come through big time. Light citrus, floral and slightly grassy notes round out the bread.
MOUTHFEEL: Nice, strong, but not fizzy carbonation. There is a mild sweetness up front that quickly fades into a dry, crisp finish. Yes, it's still a light body, but not as light as many other Kolsch's.
OVERALL: This is a genuinely gulpable beer. I could easily finish a can of this in four sips/gulps, but I'd rather sip it. Perfection for a summer beer and just enough body to make this a huge, winner, summer beer.
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3.52/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.03/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bready, Citric, Herbal, Clean
Kölsch is a highly misunderstood style. Many seem to want more, but its strength is its flawless simplicity. As for Kihei Kölsch, it's golden with a slight haze and a white foam head. Bready and floral in the nose, with a hint of fruitness. It boasts a crisp carbonation, with a prickly creaminess. Grassy bitterness with a citric bite leads to a spicy herbal note and some oiliness. Bready and crackery malts keep it all together. Finishes dry and clean. Outstanding.
As reviewed in BeerAdvocate magazine #102 (July 2015).
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bready, Citric, Herbal, Clean
Kölsch is a highly misunderstood style. Many seem to want more, but its strength is its flawless simplicity. As for Kihei Kölsch, it's golden with a slight haze and a white foam head. Bready and floral in the nose, with a hint of fruitness. It boasts a crisp carbonation, with a prickly creaminess. Grassy bitterness with a citric bite leads to a spicy herbal note and some oiliness. Bready and crackery malts keep it all together. Finishes dry and clean. Outstanding.
As reviewed in BeerAdvocate magazine #102 (July 2015).
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3.69/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours hazy gold with 1/2 in head. Taste is grass, hay, and citrus hops. The beer is dryer and a bit hoppier than others I have had in the style. This is one I would revisit, but I prefer others in the style.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours hazy gold with 1/2 in head. Taste is grass, hay, and citrus hops. The beer is dryer and a bit hoppier than others I have had in the style. This is one I would revisit, but I prefer others in the style.
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4.16/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz can, canned 4/9/15, poured into pint glass
A- pours a bright and clear straw color with a foamy and rocky two-finger white head that retains long after the pour, with bubbles constantly shooting up the glass
S- spicy floral hops of font mix with toasted bready malt, hints of citrus, grass & earth
T- clean and toasted malt is balanced with spicy floral & earthy hop, with a hint of citrus kicking in mid-palate, toasted pilsener malt finish with a linger of yeast and grape skin
M- medium-light body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a dry crisp finish
O- simple, yet outstanding. All of the elements balance out the beer, keeping it remarkable drinkable. One of the better Kolsch I've had in a while
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz can, canned 4/9/15, poured into pint glass
A- pours a bright and clear straw color with a foamy and rocky two-finger white head that retains long after the pour, with bubbles constantly shooting up the glass
S- spicy floral hops of font mix with toasted bready malt, hints of citrus, grass & earth
T- clean and toasted malt is balanced with spicy floral & earthy hop, with a hint of citrus kicking in mid-palate, toasted pilsener malt finish with a linger of yeast and grape skin
M- medium-light body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a dry crisp finish
O- simple, yet outstanding. All of the elements balance out the beer, keeping it remarkable drinkable. One of the better Kolsch I've had in a while
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3.75/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.1/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a nice white head that dissipates at a moderate pace but leaves behind a nice white film on the surface. The beer itself is a clear, although a tiny bit hazy, pale gold color. The overall appearance is nice and definitely appealing when looking for a beer on a nice summer day.
The smell is bit hoppy for the style but well within the limits. The hop notes are nice and floral with a bit of citrus sweetness to it. The smell has a bit of sweet pale malts that are eclipsed by the hops but still manage to get through.
The taste is just as good as the smell if not slightly better. The beer has the same floral hop notes as the smell and sweetness from the malt but also a nice tropical pineapple note as well in the aftertaste.
The feel is nice light but on the heavier side, but doesn't hurt the beer in anyway. The beer has some light biting carbonation that feels nice with a crisp finish.
Overall, a fairly balanced beer that is pretty good and worth getting when it comes it for the summer. I kind of wish I had gotten my hands on a six-pack earlier.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a nice white head that dissipates at a moderate pace but leaves behind a nice white film on the surface. The beer itself is a clear, although a tiny bit hazy, pale gold color. The overall appearance is nice and definitely appealing when looking for a beer on a nice summer day.
The smell is bit hoppy for the style but well within the limits. The hop notes are nice and floral with a bit of citrus sweetness to it. The smell has a bit of sweet pale malts that are eclipsed by the hops but still manage to get through.
The taste is just as good as the smell if not slightly better. The beer has the same floral hop notes as the smell and sweetness from the malt but also a nice tropical pineapple note as well in the aftertaste.
The feel is nice light but on the heavier side, but doesn't hurt the beer in anyway. The beer has some light biting carbonation that feels nice with a crisp finish.
Overall, a fairly balanced beer that is pretty good and worth getting when it comes it for the summer. I kind of wish I had gotten my hands on a six-pack earlier.
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3.55/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
4.25/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured a brilliant and clear golden yellow with a huge fluffy white head that lasted for a long time. Beautiful beer. Aromas and flavors were crisp grain, some grass, and sweet bread. Delicate hops. More hoppy than a Munich or helles lager but less hops than your typical Pilsner. Smooth light mouthfeel with medium low carbonation. Could drink these all night.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured a brilliant and clear golden yellow with a huge fluffy white head that lasted for a long time. Beautiful beer. Aromas and flavors were crisp grain, some grass, and sweet bread. Delicate hops. More hoppy than a Munich or helles lager but less hops than your typical Pilsner. Smooth light mouthfeel with medium low carbonation. Could drink these all night.
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3.25/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.91/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice foam on the top of the bar pour. Leaves a rim of lace after the initial sip. Cloudy. Lemon yellow color.
Almost lemony in the odor. Citrus styled hop must be the cause but it is light. Mild pale malted grain smell.
More hoppy than I would expect. The grainy barley is appropriate for the style. Full bodied for the style but the carbonation is enough to match this. A hop lovers kolsch.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice foam on the top of the bar pour. Leaves a rim of lace after the initial sip. Cloudy. Lemon yellow color.
Almost lemony in the odor. Citrus styled hop must be the cause but it is light. Mild pale malted grain smell.
More hoppy than I would expect. The grainy barley is appropriate for the style. Full bodied for the style but the carbonation is enough to match this. A hop lovers kolsch.
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3.49/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Canned on 05/08/15.
Appearance is just awesome. Perfect haze with shadows on the opposite side, head is fluffy and large, lace left in crazy patterns...solid 5.
Tons of pale malt in the aroma, with pineapple and mango puree, and spaltz hops. There's a staleness to the aroma, but overall it's not bad.
Taste is extremely hoppy compared to the nose, and a bit harsh for a Kolsch. Very huge saaz hop presence. The hop is bitter, stale, and has a bit of vinegar going on there. The malt is faint but definitely pale and crystal malts. Some far off flavors of pineapple but that could be wafting up from the aroma. Unfortunately hop is it and that's all there is.
Feel is crisp and clean, all the way to the finish.
Overall the flavor is destroyed by the overload of saaz hops. It's nice if you like tons of hop, but not what I like in a Kolsch. I'd pass it up next time.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Canned on 05/08/15.
Appearance is just awesome. Perfect haze with shadows on the opposite side, head is fluffy and large, lace left in crazy patterns...solid 5.
Tons of pale malt in the aroma, with pineapple and mango puree, and spaltz hops. There's a staleness to the aroma, but overall it's not bad.
Taste is extremely hoppy compared to the nose, and a bit harsh for a Kolsch. Very huge saaz hop presence. The hop is bitter, stale, and has a bit of vinegar going on there. The malt is faint but definitely pale and crystal malts. Some far off flavors of pineapple but that could be wafting up from the aroma. Unfortunately hop is it and that's all there is.
Feel is crisp and clean, all the way to the finish.
Overall the flavor is destroyed by the overload of saaz hops. It's nice if you like tons of hop, but not what I like in a Kolsch. I'd pass it up next time.
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4.18/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.1/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Really nice looking in the slim almost traditional Kolsch glass. Small bubbly head light hay/yellow color. Really grassy/grain type smell, no other scents jump out. Really nice crisp taste, grassy almost finishes with a pilsner sweet taste.
Good amount of carbonation, perfect for the style. I drank a glass of this in about 3 swigs, very crisp clean taste, could have probly drank 3-4 as the sunset over Kihei's beaches. Will buy a 6-pack or 2 when home in the bay area.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Really nice looking in the slim almost traditional Kolsch glass. Small bubbly head light hay/yellow color. Really grassy/grain type smell, no other scents jump out. Really nice crisp taste, grassy almost finishes with a pilsner sweet taste.
Good amount of carbonation, perfect for the style. I drank a glass of this in about 3 swigs, very crisp clean taste, could have probly drank 3-4 as the sunset over Kihei's beaches. Will buy a 6-pack or 2 when home in the bay area.
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3.79/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Kihei Kolsch from Maui Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
3.74 out of
5 with
52 ratings
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