Crooked River Lighthouse Gold
JW Dover Beer & Wine Makers Supplies / Black Box Brewing Co.

 

 

Served from the bottle into a pilsner glass.

A- Poured a golden brown, non-existent head, and very little carbonation

S- Sweet caramel and butterscotch

T- Very very sweet. Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, with an unpleasant bittersweet aftertaste.

M- Medium body

D- Way too sweet. I got this as a part of Crooked River's Sampler and this was one of my least favorite out of the bunch, hence why I still have some leftover from a month ago. The only standout in the bunch was the porter, which was quite good and robust. The ESB was pretty decent.

A: Pours a surprisingly dark, slightly hazy copper color. This is a kolsch, right? There is an average-sized off-white head initially, but retention is mediocre. Very little lacing sticks to the glass.

S: A sour-sweet nose. Some light graininess, but mostly a lightly funky, vinous yeast character. Perhaps a slightly herbal hop aroma as well.

T: Some nondescript sweetness up front. Perhaps a little caramel, which doesn't seem to fit the style. Some fruity/grapey yeast character adds a bit of complexity. Herbal hops contribute a measured bittering bite.

M: Medium body. Carbonation is very light, even for this style. Given the carbonation issues (which their Bavarian lager also had) and sweetness, the finish isn't nearly as dry as would be appropriate.

D: A poor version of a kolsch, and a thoroughly mediocre beer by any criteria. I'm not really sure what they were shooting for with this one. Whoever has resurrected this line seems to be having some carbonation/conditioning issues.

Crooked River was a Cleveland standard for years until it seemingly disappeared over night. Recently a home brew place on the west side of Cleveland resurrected the label and put out four styles of Crooked River brew. Here's my review of their Kolsch ale.

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pilsner glass. Pours a golden yellow with a thick frothy white head that looks like merangue.

Has a malty smell, grassy and slightly sweet. This style of beer lends itself to a barley smell, and this particular selection does not disappoint.

Taste is crisp, yet not too light. The malted barley comes through clear, followed by a slight carbonated tang and a bit of yeastiness. Smooth, but not bland, though not terribly exciting either.

Mouthfeel is decent. Not too thin,though it is easy drinking. It does, however, leave a slightly stale aftertaste in the mouth that can only be alleviated by drinking another sip.

Overall, an easy session beer that I probably let get too warm as I bounced around the internet looking for information on this brew so I could prepare this review.

It came in mixed 12 pack with three other Crooked River selections. It's an old hometown favorite, historically more "blue collar" than Great Lakes, and one which I will buy again the next time I've got a good sized group of casual beer drinkers over.