Firefly
McMenamins Inc.

 

Some of a decent sized head sticks around for the duration. This is a typical McMenamins brew which means:

i) far too watery;
ii) stock pleasant astringent twang which reminds me of rhubarb;
iii) good balance of malt and hops

Otherwise it is exactly what I would expect from a Portland brewed Kolsch. Its weakness does mean that it could be used in a marathon session. I am actually rather surprised it has as much as 4.64% abv.

I found myself enjoying this beer enormously until I realized it wasn’t the beer itself that I found so agreeable. I enjoyed the fact that I’d already had a beer or two before venturing to the Bagdad Café and was feeling fine when I walked through the door. I liked how cool and soothing Firefly was after walking a mile on a warm summer’s night. I liked the Grateful Dead they were playing (Lady With a Fan into Terrapin Station). I was also enjoying the effect the recent heat wave was having on women’s casual attire. Portland women are fabulous, especially in summer, especially on Hawthorne Boulevard. All of this is to say that a glass of lemonade would have provoked euphoria in me at the time. But what about the kölsch? Must focus.

The kölsch was satisfying but dull. It was intensely clouded, opaque – nearly creamed – and the color of a dark gradient of pineapple puree. A hint of a head, a smattering of lace, and a distant yeasty aroma. This is certainly a pleasant summer ale in that it is genuinely clean and refreshing. It neither seduces nor inspires. It is citrusy but restrained, nicely balanced, coolly quaffable. My notes at the time suggested a wedge of lemon might make for a nice compliment. I later learned that Firefly is brewed with German malts and wheat.

Not a bad beer, but lacking flavor and pizzazz. And for a good local kölsch, it can’t compare to Tuck’s.

On tap at Boon's Treasury in Salem, Oregon.
Nice enough looking pint..a hazy golden , strw colour,small white splotchy head.
Pretty subdued aroma..the scent there is is very floral.
A nice malty statse to begin then the floral acspects of the beer show through, very fruity almost reminds me of peaches.Then there is a small hop aftertaste.
Not to bad on the palate, thin enough to be drunk in large quantities but not watery.
I found this very drinkable indeed..one of MacMenamins better brews IMO

Light gold color. Small head. Aroma is grainy, fruity and malty. A medium bodied Kolsch. Malts are mild and slightly fruity. Hops are mildly spicy. Nicely balance and flavorful, this is a very nice Kolsch. Slightly sprizty. Light and refreshing. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Still not sure what the Kolsch thing is about...

This beer was somewhat hazy, and really quite yellow. It had a fuzzy, effervescent surface with a slight head. Smell was somewhat nice though, sweet malt and slight bready yeast. Taste was somewhat standard for kolsch; bland. It was a clean, non-interfering flavor, which I suppose goes well with dinner. The feel was off, as there was a seltzer sensation to the beer, somewhat airy in a different way than the normal carbonation. Made it difficult to drink as the feeling, or my annoyance by it increased as I drank it.