Kalmer
Rhinegeist Brewery

If you like cucumbers, this is the beer for you...

I saw this unlike I saw other kolshes, it didn't have a great coloration but it did have a very thick and foamy head - impressive really. The smell was citrusy, hiding the fact that when you tasted the thing it was as if you were drinking very watered down pickle juice. Now, I do like pickles and I do like pickle juice, but I'm not the kind to want it in my beer. Mouthfeel was very light and crisp, a combo I am always rating high, and overall, it's not bad but certainly nothing I will be looking forward to ever again...

I got a 6pck of this from my local meijer store. It poured a clear golden with white head that is leaving some lace. The scent starts with lemon spritz then turns earthy. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with cucumber base and bitter citrus highlights. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its just an ok beer.

 

 

A - Yellow body, clear and bright, minimal head, not much lacing.

S - Sharp nose, with a pungent, slightly off cucumber element. Citrus underneath. Not particularly inviting.

T - Bright lemon and cucumber flavor, middle reveals a solid cracker malt, and a moderate bitter bite in the finish. The cucumber note is dialed way too far forward. Not great.

M - Sharp on the tongue, moderate weight, light dryness in the close.

O - Not my cup of tea.

 

 

 

 

"As cool as a cucumber" is usually a phrase reserved for calm behavior; kinda like the kolsch bier. It borrows the better techniques from ale making and lager making and adapts them to Cologne's unique geographic pressures for a familiar but localized spin on the German lager.

So relaxing from their classic beer making ways, Rhinegeist's Kalmer injects its pilsner-esque ale with copious amounts of cucumber that's evident straight from the pour. A floral scent of melon, basil, rose and honeysuckle leap right out as the hybrid beer settles into the glass with a racy effervescence and a golden straw appearance. Sweet with light honey, cereal and fresh baked breads greet the tongue with a subdued early impression.

But as the lightly hazy beer washes the middle palate, a refreshing taste of cucumber comes across fruity with honeydew, kiwi and green papaya soothing the senses with a refreshing beer course. As its hops start to roll in, a spicy flavor of lemon peppery translates to a spicy finish of grass, herb and hay.

Medium light in body, the unique vegetable beer applies a minty cooling sense of evaporation on the finish for an utmost refreshing taste that nearly seduces the senses away from the quick finish of grain, cereal and light hop astringency that would otherwise plague the finish.