Mine Shaft Kolsch
Downhill Brewing

This was my first Elk Mountain brew, and it wasn't bad. I still prefer my kolsches to be lighter than this (seems to be a trend in the US), but the flavor was good. I knocked off some points for the darker color, though it didn't taste too heavy. I wouldn't have even guessed it was 5.4% if I hadn't seen the listing on this site, so that's good - this is supposed to be a very light, summery beer. I'd probably try other beers from this brewery.

 

 

 

Great light beer! Unique. Overall it is a great introduction to the Elk Mountain brewery.

 

 

a guest tap at black sky last night, if i was reviewing this on the grounds of true to style kolsch, it would be an utter failure, nothing kolsch-like about this at all. super sweet, tons of leftover sugar, i would ordinarily be pretty down on this, as a kolsch because it lacks all the dry and well carbonated crispness the style s famous for, but it just tastes so darn good. the sweetness plays on the light malt so well, bolsters it with some body and a fresh baked dessert sort of vibe, hearty and warming for a light beer, year round applicability, and delectable. surprised by how dense this is for a lighter brew, which is crystal clear and nice and frothy. carbonation speckles the palate, interrupting the sweetness at good intervals. light and flavorful, but with some sturdy base to it, again, far from the kolsch we know and love, but a very tasty blonde ale, and a great introduction to elk mountain brewing for me. will make an effort to get to their tap room and try their other stuff soon!

Bought a growler for the 1/19 Broncos game. Beer was sweet and a bit too bitter for style. Sweet like it had too much caramel malt? It seemed a bit dark for style as well. The beer was not very carbonated. I don't except it to be insanely carbonated. But, at least carbonate it enough to leave a little lace on the glass. Seems to be a common theme throughout their lineup.

 

 

Served on draught into a generic pint glass at Elk Mountain. Reviewed from notes taken earlier tonight.

A: One finger head of no cream, fair thickness, and abysmal six second retention. A clear light gold colour.

Sm: Cream is all me broken nose can discern. All apologies, lads.

T: Cream, full barley, welcome caramel, and a bad finish. Very simple. Decently built. The balance is alright. Not as full as it is thick.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Too wet, actually. Entirely too thick for the style.

Dr: Drinkable enough, but of lackluster quality. Priced a bit high by Colorado standards.

A: Nice appearance from the get go. Nice bubbling head straining a bit to keep together but holding on good. Golden in color with strong fingers and good lacing.

S: Pleasant aroma allowing you to enjoy the basic ingredients of this beer.

T: Great taste for a Kolsch. Crisp in the beginning balancing out to a smooth refreshing finish. A beer I could drink all summer long.

M: Carbonation was good in the mouth keeping true to a Kolsch. Body was thin to medium allowing you to enjoy one after another.

O: A great Kolsch for a fairly new Brewery in CO. I am anxious to see them take on a lager or pilsner soon.