Sapwood Kellers
Sapwood Cellars Brewery

 

Poured from the can into a Libbey style pilsner glass.

Bright lemon body, with quite a clear looking appearance for a keller, definitely of the filtered variety here. Mirror like finish and a bright white topped three finger head to match. Some retention, but some snapping bubbles manage to break the soapy head down at a good clip. Manages to settle with a bubbly collar when all finished.

Light dough malts, and a touch of classic herbal hop bitterness on the nose. Comes out a hair powdery and dry though, but still pleasant aroma to enjoy here. Doesn't quite have that clean sensing snap but still good.

Very surprising palate. A real nice shot at first out of nowhere of sticky malt and a real yeast like bread punch. Very unexpected and enjoyable. However, the hop angle is almost metallic and even a bit numbing somewhat as well. Distracting finish, definitely doesn't come with crisp and clean flavors, but does have that excellent classic doughy keller punch on ther palate. Muted lemon, sticky dough, tingling astringency.

Overall quite good, nearly getting into exceptional territory with some fine tweaking I think, but just manages to stay solid with all the way things are put in place.

 

(on tap at the brewery yesterday)

This has all the flavor elements of a true kellerbier: cakey malt, grassy hop, fruity flourishes... it's as a lager a delicious brew with great range and contrast of flavors... it just lacks the rustic dirtiness of some German imports I adore, namely Arcobräu, Mönchshof, even Weihenstephaner et al... this is a fantastic lager in its own right, please make it again, just don't let it get clean (2229)

Pours a lightly hazy golden. Floral nose. Kinda tastes like your standard American rendition of a German pils. Assertively hopped without any subtle malt character.

Draft pour into a stemless wine glass at the brewery.

L: Fairly clear vibrant yellow, one finger white head with decent retention, looks like a filtered Lager.
S: Bright zesty nose, hints of lemon, light toasted barley and spicy hop aroma.
T: Tastes surprisingly full and unfiltered, like a Kellerbier, balance leans slightly to malt but it has plenty of spicy zest, overall fresh flavor, bitter finish with malt flavor without the sweetness.
F: Medium body, soft w light crisp edges, somewhat creamy feel, astringent mouth coat.
O: Decent Keller, but astringent mouthfeel is keeping it from being super drinkable.

Very light and drinkable. Crisp, not overly punching in flavor but everything hits just the right notes for a good easy drinking lager.