Kentucky Apple Brandy Kolsch
Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co.

 

Hints of brandy, with lots of apple tartness and a touch of kolsch yeast. Flavor is more boozy than expected, with toasted oak lingering throughout. Kolsch character comes through better than in aroma. Apple is present upfront, but fades in the finish, with crackery malt. Very different combination. I kinda like it.

With a quick visit to the spent apple brandy barrels, Alltech's most pure beer dips its toe into the grape and cider world for a simple, delicate, yet complex complement to the hybrid base beer.

Its crystal clear, light straw appearance is bright with champagne upon the pour. Its quick settle brings an arid and cottony head to cap. With the bubbles popping, strong cider aromas abound- green apple, floral honeysuckle, and crisp cracker-like maltiness bleed into a short grain sweetness in taste to give the initial flavor as much of cider as it does of ale.

Even as the growing taste of the vinous drunken barrel rises to grab ahold of the apple, dry bread and short grain sweetness, a fruity middle takes hold- laced with apple but also of lemon, berry, pear and kiwi; its these undertones that offer uniqueness to the taste while a mild sulfury and mineral taste rounds out the taste, just ahead of finish.

Its dry cracker-like malts hold firm while the vinous spice of white wine, cider and dry oak crispens the finish with spice and light warmth. With echoes of apple, grain and iron returning in aftertaste, the hybrid beer is every bit as true to its base style as its complementary barrel flavors are to its distinction.