Bull Trout Princess
Lost Grove Brewing

 

this is just okay, a needed addition to their lineup i think, but its kind of samey, generic, not real european, and a little stronger than i generally want kolsch to be, especially in an all day summer drinking context, its light enough and all, but it doesnt quite have the session appeal i look for in the style. honey color to this, short white head from the tap thats almost gone by the time the pint makes it to our table, good clarity through. the aroma is minimal, a simple pale barley malt base, fermented mostly dry, with subtle noble hop character and a light hint of citrus from the hops, very little from the yeast, and that cold crispness i like in these is missing. the flavor is a bit one dimensional as well, taste just like a basic blonde ale, which in this instance is a fine blonde ale, but the fermentation isnt quite right for a kolsch and its missing that german malt character. wet and cold and slightly bigger feeling than others, fine with richer foods, but overall a pretty unremarkable offering, not what i was hoping for from these guys. clean and all, but its lacking flavor and true kolsch authenticity...

edit: this has improved slightly since i had it last, maybe faintly more german on the grain side now, and a bit crisper overall, not sure if the abv has dropped at all in this batch, but the body seems to, so the refreshment value is up a little bit. still not the most dramatic of these, and the ferment is pretty minimal, but the beer is cleaner and a little closer to the mark for me. improving the score a little to reflect the evolution...

 

Draft at brewery. Clear golden , small white head. Aroma and taste feature the bready, sweet malts backed up by a crisp, hoppy bite. Nice creamy feel.