Treasure Kölsch
Walking Tree Brewery

This was yet another beer that I picked up at the Total Wine in Vero Beach, Florida late last year. Never had anything from Walking Tree before but given that this was brewed in that town, I wanted to give it a go. Not the biggest fan of this style in general and it's a brew like this that reminded me why...

No, it wasn't bad as much as it was underwhelming after the initial pour. Of course, this was bright and gold with plenty of foam to top the liquid off. A decent amount of lacing stuck around although it wasn't in the form of well-defined rings. Quite the muted aroma here as the taste wasn't that memorable either. Bread, vegetables, a bit of spice, and mineral water all combined to make this basic on the palate and moderate in body.

Not the best of aftertastes and some more carbonation and lively grape would have really elevated this to meet its full potential. The date on the bottom of the can was illegible but it would have been great to get a fresher version of this, and to give their better offerings a go. The lack of overt alcohol was this beer's saving grace as it made it something to kick back with, before moving on to the next can in my stash...

 

I've had plenty of American made "German-style" kolsch brews that don't quite rise to the heights of their Euro counterparts. This one from Walking Tree really does nail it. Crisp gold pour, nice pure white head, bread and biscuit nose and flavor. Nice job and soooo refreshing!

16 oz can from a 4-pack purchased at the brewery's taproom in Vero Beach, on the "Treasure Coast" of Florida.

Appearance. Clear golden body with a good white head.

Feel. Fuller body than usual for the style, with medium carbonation.

Aroma. Bready grains with some spicy hops.

Flavor. Leans towards the bold side of the style.

A medium strong pour from a 16-oz. can yielded a fat finger of soapy white foam with average retention and a lasting cap. Very clear golden-straw color, a hint of amber shows in front of light.

Faint smell of bready malt and cracker with a hint of indistinguishable hops.

Neutral taste with very low bitterness. Bigger than the smell, bready malt and toast with a hint of caramel. I'm not getting a wine taste but there is a hint of apple and citrus fruit. Hops are faint, herbal and floral. The finish is quick and clean but not crisp, malt and a slight rise in bitterness lingers briefly.

Medium light bodied, less carbonated than average. Balanced, smooth and easy to drink. This drinks like an American Blonde Ale, it's missing the Kolsch yeast flavors and the crisp, Lager-like finish.

Largely true to this regional style.
Treasure Kolsch Looks average and Smells mostly malty, bread with crust. Tastes improve as are sweet malts (honey?) balanced well by just enough hops. Medium-mouthed and bubbly, sits on my tongue well enough to be refreshed and then to eat roasted potatoes and carrots... probably also true enough to regional Cologne's kitchen.

My first (and probably only) from Walking Tree since they don't specialize in Belgians and are unlikely to. But reviewing their website, I was reminded yet again how many people leave professional careers for the satisfaction of brewing. My only advice to them in their 7th year is to get the itch to start a kitchen... or at least amp-up the food trucks. Cheers !

Poured from a 16 oz can.
Opaque golden orange body with pillowy white head that leaves plenty of lacing in the glass. Mild aromas of bread, cracker and citrus. Taste follows suit with a easy drinking honey and bread taste with a dry finish. Super easy to drink with a sessionable abv. This is a definite crushable beer.