The Mariner
Holy Mountain Brewing Company - Interbay Brewery + Taproom

16oz can

Pours one finger of soapy white head into my Willi. Retention is poor, and the head fades within a minute. Lacing is nonexistent. Body is golden yellow, crystal clear, with a small amount of bubbles coming up. Looks very poor.

Nose has mostly hoppy fruit notes of gooseberry, melon, lemon, and a dash of mango. The fruit gives a perceived sweetness here. It smells nice, but it’s more like a Cold IPA, than a Kolsch; there is no malt presence, or really any other Kolsch features.

Flavor starts out pretty sharp, mostly having astringent citrus and lemon. Melon and gooseberry come out as it warms, and not a moment too soon. Still, doesn’t really have any Kolsch qualities to the flavor. Maybe it’s just not the right style to dry hop because it loses its stylistic identity, but I feel like the flavor could have still stayed true to the style if there was any sort of malt presence.

Carbonation is elevated. Light bodied, and insanely crisp. Bitterness is moderate. Some light fruity sweetness, but finishes very clean and attenuated. The mouthfeel is actually really nice, it’s true to style while also working with whatever style we want to call this.

Drinkability is nice once the citrus calms down.

Odd beer, very all over the place. Once it warms it drinks like an enjoyable and sessionable Cold IPA.

Sampling a chilled 16 oz can poured into my Gaffel stange. Date Stamp says "Acts of Servais" but no date....
the beer pours a bright clear golden color with a fluffy bleached white head of 3 cm foaming up. This foam is fed by some large lazy streams of carbonation. But the foam still fades away to a surface covering soon after the pour. Leaves scattered lattice on the glass.
Aroma is a little bit of biscuit and then a good dose of grassy hops. Pretty mild on the nose, no flaws but not a lot there either.
First sip reveals a crisp textured light body and very fine tingly carbonation. Drinks very easy on the physical traits.
Flavor is a bit of grainy bread and some biscuit and then a good dose of grassy hops that leave a dry bite on the finish. Drying out makes me want to take another sip of course.
Flavor is more robust than the nose and is enjoyable.
Hoppier than some kolsch I have tried, but I enjoy this one just fine.

2023-04-08
16oz can. Light, clean, surprisingly hoppy. Very grassy.