Kölsch
Blowing Rock Brewing Co.

 

My girl brought me home a six pack of these that were on sale. If you are into kolsch style beer you will definitely not have an issue with this beer.

 

This was one of a few beers from Blowing Rock that I picked up at an Ingles in North Carolina late last summer. Never had anything from Blowing Rock before and this was a surprisingly enjoyable first offering from them as it was more complex than I envisioned and had a nearly-hidden alcoholic presence to it!

With the look of honey and a massive, sudsy head, the pour to this was memorable enough as the suds never fully subsided. Well-defined rings of lacing remained as I sipped this as the sheets easily covered a majority of my pint glass. Lots of deep citrus, fall fruit, and yeast were in the nose with plenty of bread, spice, hops, and Pilsner Malt on the palate. Smooth, somewhat slick, and full-bodied, the flavors really shone since the carbonation was quite subdued.

The feel to this was slightly Belgian, but that wasn't a bad thing as it made this stand apart from other examples of the style that I've reviewed on here over the years. Canned on 8/13 of last year, this held up well and easily deserved another go-around, even if there wasn't any grape to be felt. Nice first impression by these guys with this lovely winner of a Kolsch!

One beer from an assorted six pack gifted me by my next door neighbor after he purchased it on a recent trip to the Carolinas. Poured within 4 1/2 months of its canning date, from a 12-oz can into a Stange.

Appearance: Clear straw color; massive white head that lingered long, requiring several pourings to finally fill the glass, leaving moderate lacing.

Nose: Pleasant, sweet malt, maybe a bit of apple.

Mouthfeel: Medium and smooth, just a bit shy on perceived carbonation..

Attack: Very gentle, pleasant and easy drinking, while some sweetness, the overall flavor is perhaps not quite as intense as a top drawer Kölsch.

Finish: Appropriate-for-the-style hop bitterness.

Overall: While I might purchase instead one of several other brands of Kölsch (e.g., Reissdorf) if there was a selection available at a beer store, I’d happily order this at a brewpub and readily enjoy it. It’s going on my personal list of appreciated beers.

Nice job, Blowing Rock! I’d like to visit this brewery if I’m ever on I-40 east of Asheville.

 

Poured from 12 oz can into pint glass. White head, hazy golden color, light carbonation. Mouthfeel is light and crisp. Citrus and bready malt aroma. Flavors of spice, citrus, cracker. Overall: decent.