Till it Shines
Proclamation Ale Company

Proclamation and Kent Falls collaboration.I admit I picked up the can because the homage to Bob Seger and the muh-muh-mmmmullet made me laugh aloud, but then I saw the magic word Kolsch and it followed me home. It is brewed with Mandarins Bavaria hops.

Pours a wee bit cloudy, golden body with a densely packed white head. Said head falls over a few minutes and leaves a ring and small raft of fairly unimpressive bubbles.

The smell is quite subtle. Very slight citrus, mild spiciness, herbal and bright, maybe a bit of white wine. Crackery malt. A faint bit of pepper and spiciness emerges as we get away from fridge temp.

Smooth, clean taste. There is a very nice malty sweetness with a crackery character, layered with a very mild citrus and I am going tangerine with this one. There is a touch of peach just as the spicy/bitter really emerges. The spice builds with some decent bitterness, with a zingy peppery finish. It ends cleanly, ready for another sip. The flavors are not strong, but they play well together - oh hell, this flavor is just making me smile. Seems a simple enough beer, but it layers nicely and is just a pleasant drinking experience. Straightforward.

Feel is a bit lively, nice bitter level, and an enjoyable pepper tingle on the finish. Refreshing, extremely easy drinking. I'm glad the label made me pick it up. Providing a laugh is a bonus.

I like this beer, if you can't tell, and think it a satisfactory representation of the style, albeit "interpreted", I guess. If you are going to emulate a style this specific you should hit the mark and pay proper respect. In my opinion this one does. This is a worthy beer.