Blueberry Kolsch
Black Hat Brew Works

Can from Paul, thanks for the hookup.
Lightly cloudy dark straw with a thin bubbly white head.

Continuing on with the saga of beer styles that shouldn’t be fruited but for some reason are, we have Blueberry Kölsch. Last night was a pineapple Hefeweizen that was really weird, so I’m hoping this one will be better. I’m thinking the light base style may work well with the blueberries but we’ll soon find out

Pours a hazy orange gold with 2 fingers of dense white head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves minimal lacing

The blueberry comes through surprisingly strong in the nose, and it actually works here. I’m picking up on aromas of lemon rind, doughy malt, juicy blueberry, toasted grain, light white pepper, and honey

Sadly it doesn’t fair as well in taste, but it’s still quite good for what it is. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting lemon rind, crackery malt, peppery hops, and toasted grain. The swallow brings notes of blueberry cereal, lemon juice, crackery malt, light herbal hops, and honey

A medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a smooth yet crisp beer. Finishes somewhat sticky with an increasing sweetness

This one is actually quite good for what it is. It retains the drinkability of the classic Kölsch while adding something new in a mostly successful way. A nice beer for a surprisingly hot day at the end of October

Hazy, straw color. Three-finger initial head. It does settle to fine surface bubbles. Some minor spots on the glass for lace.

The smell is a combination of earthy and sour. There is also a pleasant freshly crushed blueberry notes.

The challenge with fruit beers is how to keep the base flavors strong enough that the fruit is a spice, not the predominant flavor. Here is the blueberry is front and center, so there's no real Kösch lightness except in the body. The beer is also highly carbonated. The aftertaste is brief with a touch of blueberry skin sourness.

An easy pour from a 16-oz. can yielded a finger of off-white creamy foam that slowly shrunk to a rich cap and ring.
Clear yellow straw color with fine bubbles rising to support the head. Small spots of lacing remain.

Smell is light, pale malt (cracker and bread) and blueberry Pop Tarts greet the nose.

Semi-sweet with low bitterness, the blueberry flavor is in front of the malt which tries to show its self. Cracker and toasted wheat bread are noticeable. Hop flavor is herbal and spicy, still on the mild side. The finish is quick with the blueberry flavor lingering on with mild bitterness.

Medium-light bodied with soft and lasting carbonation, smooth and session-able. Enjoyable to drink, however the blueberry flavor hides the malt. Missing is the typical malt forward taste of a Kolsch. They must have used blueberry juice minus the skins, blueberry doesn't show in the looks but you sure can smell and taste it.

 

Had on tap. Pours clear, gold in color with 1/4 inch head. Taste is big blueberry, honey, and wheat. Sweet, light bodied with medium-low carbonation. Blueberries are front and center here. Makes for a solid, clean, unexciting fruit beer. Hits all the marks, worthwhile if you want a blueberry beer, but nothing to rush out for.