Bottle Rocket
Bearded Iris Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honoring the historic style of Koln Germany, but slathering it with a thick layer of exotic hops, the classic hybrid taste of pilsner versus ale has now been supercharged with an IPA type of taste, aroma and bite.

Bottle Rocket packs quite a punch for such modest strength ale and that's most evident in the beer's citrusy, winey and herbal scent. Pale straw and foggy to its core, the opaque milky beer builds a frothy dense cap before heading into a crisp and concise grain sweetness of pilsner and honeysuckle.

The beer's tepid malt structure is no match for the hops as its drying effects are felt early on the middle palate. But the hop aromas develop into a tangy and light citrus profile of lemon, lime and white grapefruit. Gooseberry, green apple and kiwi tease the tastebuds with suggests of tartness and bitterness. Riesling tartness and moderate dryness swirls about with the grassy bite of lemon leaf, sassafras and peppery spice.

Light, crisp and mostly clean, the kolsch styled beer trends highly sessionable and hoppy as the light alcohol spice pulls the bitterness from even the dry hopping stages and gives the beer a moderately bitter finish and aftertaste. Sharply spiced, a tannic texture flirts with white wine notions more and more in a medium length, pepper after palate.

 

 

 

 

Beer pours a cloudy orange with ample inch and half head that lacing down glass. Terrific citrus aroma along with other fruits. Taste was full of juicy hops balanced with some malt and smooth finish. Not sure what made this a kolsch (probably the light body) but it was tasty and perfect for hot weather. As an aside, I introduced my son in law and father in law to this NE style and ale they loved it!