Ron Santo 10 Ale
Nine-Band Brewing Company

 

 

Deeper gold that is lightly hazy. Thin, white head that collects around glass.
Lemongrass and steadiness in smell
Lemongrass and slight citrus hop upfront in taste. Breadiness sneaks insight hop resin. Sweet for the style.
Crisp finish.

Pours a hazy gold color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Decent retention and good lacing. Smells of wheat, pale malt, slight citrus hops, and a hint of citrus. Fits the style of a German Kolsch. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of wheat, pale malt, slight citrus hops, hint of caramel malt, hint of sweet malt, and a hint of citrus. Overall, average aroma and appearance, but good feel, body and blend.

 

 

 

 

What a Kolsch is supposed to be. Crisp, refreshing and not reliant on hops. They are more floral than bitter. Thanks.

OA: I'm impressed by Nine-Band markets themselves. This is my first from them and went on their site and saw how they thoughtfully tie their beers to the themes of west Texas. Smart.

But that makes me curious about the name. Why would brewers in suburban Dallas name a beer after Ron Santo? As everyone knows, Ron became a character as the Chicago Cubs' 3rd baseman during the time Chicago hosted the 1968 Democratic Convention; marking the City's accelerated decline for 25 years before recovering. Ron retired from third base, but became the Cubs' color announcer. He may be the greatest baseball player and post-player personality to not be admitted to the Hall of Fame when he was alive. He died in 2010 and was inducted in 2012. And shortly thereafter, the Cubs proved that after a century of failing that they no longer suck.

Nine-Band, like Ron, has dedicated themselves to fighting juvenile diabetes. But, my real question is: did Nine-Band name this beer to prove that persistence pays... or that redemption works if you work at it ... or even that recovery is possible ... and that includes the nation itself ? Answer that over your next beer.

I don't understand the hate at all. I'm not even a cubs fan and I think this is underrated. The taste is downright pleasant and fun in a style that really isn't. Floral, orange, hay and some light hops, really add a fun dimension, while still maintaining a nice golden honeycrisp body. I understand a kolsch is never going to light the world on fire, but this is a good one.

 

Poured from 12-ounce can into a straight-sided glass. Amber colored body, with a sudsy white head that disappeared after a few minutes leaving a little spotty lacing. Biscuity malt and grassy / floral hops on the nose and palate, with a fruity, light apple-cidery note and a little pleasant bitterness on the tongue. Finish is crisp and on the dry side. This is a nice, refreshing Kölsch-style ale, a good summertime quencher.

Taste: crisp, floral hop, cracker, bread yeast notes with a clean nose. Same with the nose. Gold, clear, creamy white foam head with nice lace. Medium light body. Good for summertime. 12 IBUs

 

 

 

 

I BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE CHICAGO CUBS FANS. I DID NOT EXPECT MUCH BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GEMIC BEER. THE LABLE SAYS AN ALE . BUT AT THE BOTOM IS PRINTED "A CLASSIS KRISP KOLSCH STYLE BREW" IT HAS A KOLSCH STYLE TASTE VERY SMOOTH - TASTE LINERS IBN THE MOUTH. A GREAT TASING BEER.