Daam Nation
Lost Grove Brewing

a salmon safe kolsch done as a collaboration with hopworks, a good get for these guys and for a beer like this, i think hopworks were one of the early salmon safe supporters and i know them well in that context, so cool for lost grove on this one. too bad the beer isnt great, its sort of soapy to me, a little tired, and has some out of place for the style elements that make it seem a little cheap and disjointed. this is blonde beer with some cloudiness, definitely not as bright and clean as i like a kolsch to be, even a kind of rugged one, and the carbonation sags a little bit after the initial pour. i dont know what the hops are, but id like to, lost grove never seems to give enough information about their beer, chalkboard or letterboard or whatever it is definitely isnt adequate most of the time, like arent the salmon safe hops the whole point of this? anyway, its not a very hoppy beer in nose or taste to me, even for a kolsch its mild, instead this is grainy and sort of oddly estery on the ferment, a little bit of oxidation is here too which works against whatever hops are in it. subtle citrus, leafy green herbs, and late grassy bitterness. the grain is cereal forward and earthy and the main flavor element, a bit generic but right for the style just lacking freshness. the whole thing could use more life and vibrancy, and i ended up being pretty lukewarm on a beer that frankly should be way better than it is, especially given hopworks involvement. a missed opportunity i think. not a great kolsch, not a great showcase of any hops, meh...