1913 Traditional
Grand River Brewing

1913 Traditional1913 Traditional
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From:
Grand River Brewing
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Kölsch
ABV:
4.5%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.42 | pDev: 9.06%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
19
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 16, 2017
Added:
Sep 26, 2010
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
The 1913 traditional is a light golden ale with subtle layers of biscuit malt and delicate German hops. Close to a kolsch, close to a cream ale but absolutely refreshing.

The 1913 is named after our famed building originally constructed by the old Galt Knife Company built in 1913. The beer is designed to replicate what would have been consumed by thirsty farmhands wanting something to quench their thirst.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by hopsolutely:
Photo of hopsolutely
Reviewed by hopsolutely from Canada (ON)

3.8/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
An awesome session ale!

And the closest thing to a true kolsch I've enjoyed since leaving Cologne (Koln). There's a reason kolsch is typically enjoyed in tall, thin glasses - as the bready aroma isn't meant to be the highlight. The taste is pretty complex for it's 4.5% ABV. Light and refreshing, but with lots of grainy tones - it's a very nicely balanced, easy drinking beer.

Light on hops, as should be typical of the style, but truly the best kolsch I've enjoyed in North America. Well done, Grand River!
Jan 22, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3 by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)

May 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by TerryW from Canada (ON)

Jun 09, 2015
Photo of BuckyBeerBeaver
Reviewed by BuckyBeerBeaver from Canada (ON)

3.77/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Slowly working his way through the bottles purchased from Grand River, Bucky turned his attention to their 1913 Traditional Beer (“1913”). It came in Grand River's usual brown 500 ml bottle, with a bottling date of Nov. ?? (smudged) 2013 printed on the label. 1913 was 4.5% alcohol by volume.

A very aggressive pour produced 1” of fluffy, bright white head that left some respectable lacing down the glass as it retreated. The beer itself was an absolutely clear straw yellow. Its aroma was sweet caramel malts together with earthy and grassy hops. The beer's taste mirrored the aroma with sweet bready malts up front, followed by grassy/earthy hops and a mildly bitter finish. The hop profile reminded me very much of their Hannenberg Pils. I would describe the beer and light/medium bodied with an appropriate level of carbonation, and well balanced between the sweet and bitter. In summary, a relatively light, refreshing beer, but I would give a slight edge to their Pils overall.
Apr 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by DaPan from Canada (ON)

Feb 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by kinguy from Canada (ON)

Nov 03, 2012
Photo of korguy123
Reviewed by korguy123 from Canada (ON)

3.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle into pint.
Bottled March 24, 2012

A- Crystal clear yellow pour with a half finger white head. Lacing is excellent.

S- Sweet grains, cereal, floral hops and digestive cookies.

T- Sweet malt profile, nice hop presence reminding me of a Pilsener, digestive cookies and slight corn.

M- Light and refreshing with a quick dry finish.

O- I always look to a Kolsch or a Pilsener for something light and refreshing, this is a perfect example. I wish they distributed closer to Barrie.
Apr 25, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by dipso123 from Oregon

Mar 28, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by beerhunter13 from Canada (ON)

Jan 13, 2012
Photo of liamt07
Reviewed by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

3.56/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle form the brewery, bottled July 9, 2011 and consumed July 15, 2011. Reviewed from notes. Poured into a pint glass.

Poured a golden yellow, with a bright white soapy head of 3+ fingers. Good carbonation is evident in the body; moderate lacing but milder in terms of retention. Nose has some light grain, sweetness, lightly metallic. Taste has some sweet malts, some grain and light corn notes. Sweet and drying finish, with subtle and appropriate hopping. Medium light carbonation and a medium body. Quite drinkable and certainly patio-worthy; a nice beer from a style I've never been particularly fond of.
Aug 30, 2011
Photo of Stocean1
Reviewed by Stocean1 from Canada (ON)

3.52/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A very pleasant light kolsch - poured from a bottle into a tall wine glass - bought straight from the brewery (fresh - brewed 3 days ago) nice foamy two finger head that quickly dissipated - only a little patchy lacing - light straw colour - understated malt smell - some floral scent - not at all overpowering - the taste is similarly understated - light malt with some grassy hops but not at all bitter - very smooth light mouthfeel - overall this is an easy drinking kolsch that is a little light on the hops but is definitely sessionable.
May 14, 2011
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

3.8/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Clear bronze with a white head, thin ring of retention, some lace.

S: Floral, pepper & steelie grass aroma.

T: Toffee, bread, floral, steelie earthiness with a modest bitterness. It's good, but it doesn't have the same continental malt profile of the originals.

M: Light to moderate body is very crisp.

D: Overall, a good, easy drinking brew.
Apr 02, 2011
Photo of Phyl21ca
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

3.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle: Poured a lightly hazy golden color Kolsch with a nice medium foamy head with OK retention and some good lacing. Aroma of cereal and grain is quite dominant with light sweet undertones. Taste is also a mix of clean cereal notes with light grainy notes with light residual sugar notes. Body is quite full with good carbonation. Not my favourite style but well brewed and easily drinkable.
Mar 29, 2011
Photo of heebes
Reviewed by heebes from Canada (ON)

3.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
500 ml bottled Jan 07 2011.

Pours a clear pale light golden with a thin foamy white head. Nose is biscuit malts and grain with notes of sweet vanilla. Taste follows the nose, with the expected light tasting grain pale flavour but balanced nicely by the excellent malt profile. Noteable sweet vanilla tasting quality subtle. Light to
medium bodied. Easy drinking and the best of it's style I've had the pleasure of trying.
Jan 21, 2011
Photo of Bestuurder
Reviewed by Bestuurder from Canada (ON)

3.3/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 500mL standard brown bottle into a tulip glass. Very fresh, right from the brewery - bottled January 4th, 2011. Consumed today, January 6th, 2011.

This beer is a pale gold colouration with a light and deep head. Nicely carbonate, travel of carbonation is always present. The head remained for about five minutes settling into a nice white cap at the top of the beer, with excellent lacing even after an hour sitting.

Very malty, with notes of whole grains and a biscuity afternote.

Notes of sweet caramel and crisp vanilla bean. Also present is a very balanced, but bold bitterness.

Slippery and yet velvety to the palate. Quite enjoyable.

Could have a couple, but will certainly enjoy a single bottle with some barbecue or a rum-raisin pork tenderloin over chicken pilafe.

Cheers.
Jan 07, 2011
Photo of mrnobody
Reviewed by mrnobody from Canada (ON)

3/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
500 ml bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. Summer beer (kolsch) as a winter seasonal? Okay...

A: Pours a clear pale gold with a thin film of bubbles.

S: Smells of some sweet bread-y malt.

T: Tastes of a little bit of hops and sweet malt, not strong tasting at all.

M: The mouthfeel is thin-ish with light carbonation.

D: The drinkability of this only okay.

I know this style is not supposed to be big or bitter or anything but this beer is thoroughly unremarkable and average, thus the solid 3.0. I can imagine being a little more interested in this come summertime if there's nothing better to be had.
Dec 05, 2010
Photo of kwjd
Reviewed by kwjd from Canada (ON)

3.08/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Had on tap at C'est What's 2010 Fall Festival of Craft Breweries. Pours a golden orange with thin head. Smells very bready and malt with very little, if any, hops in the nose. Flavour is a bit thin and bready. Mouthfeel is medium bodies. Not a horrible beer, but not one of the better kolsch's I've had either.
Sep 30, 2010
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

2.88/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Starts off as a decent Kolsch, very mineral bitterness. The local water just does not work for the style. The bitterness is too much to be very drinkable. 19 IBU that feels much much higher. Some head, lacey on yellow. Astringent finish. No aroma.A not too good club soda.
Sep 26, 2010
1913 Traditional from Grand River Brewing
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 19 ratings