Gratitude
Bombastic Brewing

Review: 2602
Name: Gratitude
Brewery: Bombastic Brewing
Location: Hayden, ID
Style: Kolsch
ABV: 4.8%
Canned: 25 August 2025
Date: 9 May 2026
Initial Impression:
Taking a slight break from the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company run, I decided to give this one some attention. I was a little concerned going in—the can is pushing nine months old, which starts to matter for a delicate style like Kölsch.
Appearance:
Served at 42°F in a tulip. Pours a pale gold with light straw hues (SRM ~2), crystal clear with streams of carbonation rising through the glass. A frothy, airy, bright white head forms about two fingers thick, slowly receding and leaving light lacing behind. Visually, this is exactly what I want from a Kölsch.
Aroma:
Malt-forward with a crisp, delicate edge. Crackers, light biscuit, and soft malt sweetness lead the nose. Supporting notes include light jasmine, eucalyptus, faint lemon peel, and fresh grass. A subtle yeast character contributes light phenolic notes.
Unfortunately, the age does show slightly—a faint cardboard note creeps in, hinting at oxidation.
Flavor:
Easy-drinking with a pleasant balance between malt and hops. The malt backbone brings cracker, biscuit, lightly toasted grain, and gentle sweetness. Supporting flavors include jasmine, light pine, grass, bay leaf, mineral/chalky notes, lemon pith, and a faint phenolic edge from the yeast.
There’s also a subtle corn character and slight cardboard oxidation, suggesting the beer is nearing the end of its ideal drinking window. The sweetness lingers a bit more than I’d prefer, making the beer feel less attenuated than the style typically calls for.
Mouthfeel:
Medium-light body with moderate-plus carbonation. Crisp and refreshing with a noticeable carbonic bite and a clean finish.
Overall Impression:
Bombastic Brewing has been a consistently solid brewery for me, and Attempted Murder is still one of my favorites from them. Kölsch is one of my go-to summer styles for its crisp body and restrained hop character, and this beer mostly delivers on that experience.
The age and slight off-flavors hold it back a bit—the cardboard oxidation and lingering sweetness soften the crispness I want from the style. Still, it remains an enjoyable, easy-drinking beer with enough balance and drinkability to make me come back to it again.

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Clear golden pour, initial high foamy head, fades to ring around the glass. Sweet grainy aroma, notes of melon and lemon. Taste is fruity, bready, melon with a mildly dry finish.