Kolsch Royale
Bear Island Brewing Company

another inventive and nicely refined beer from these guys, they should get more attention than they do i think. this is a kolsch base done with lavender and honey. the flavors are bold, not subtle, and the beer maybe loses some of the drinkability i look for in a kolsch because of the intensity of the lavender, but overall this is really unique and good. the lavender is unmistakable in here, flowery and springy and a little bit like perfume or lotion. the honey has some nice sweetness, balancing some the the tea-like bitterness that the lavender seems to introduce. there is also just a little more malt depth to this than is common in the style, giving it a little bit of a caramel color and sweetness running through the beer with the honey. the honey is most pronounced early on in the flavor, while the lavender is there the whole time. lighter medium body on this, nice high carbonation, and a very fresh vibe to it overall. not sure i could drink these all day, the lavender is too much for that, but i like the beer being kind of risky and bigger flavored, and i sure enjoyed my pint! these guys are really on a roll.

Draft at Fort Street Station. Appearance is off, cloudy, no head Was? expecting stronger adjunct aroma, faint honey presence. Taste brings more honey sweetness. Mostly honey, barely there floral notes. Kolsch base undetectable. Overall drinkable, a bit sweet, but off style.