County Kolsch
Midtown Brewing Company

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; there's a date code but it's smeared and illegible. Served slightly chilled.

Pours a clear golden-yellow colour, stirring up more than an inch of puffy, finely foamy white head that recedes within several minutes' time. A lovely curtain of wavy lace decorates the glass afterwards, with a creamy collar and sudsy cap lasting on - looks great so far. The aroma is subtle yet nuanced, including notes of grainy, bready pale malts and floral, perfumey hops interspersed with hints of orchard fruit, sourdough and white grapes.

Good stuff - clean, grainy flavour profile with rye bread also coming through. Suggestions of floral hops, apples and stone fruit don't last long; hints of grainy malt and vinousness precede a relatively dry aftertaste. Light in body, with moderately assertive carbonation that adds a much-needed crispness to this lagered ale's mouthfeel; very easy to knock back quickly, especially on a humid summer's night.

Final Grade: 3.79, a B+. Midtown's County Kolsch is a quality brew, but probably not a superlative kölsch. Halfway in between a blonde ale and a German lager - malt forward for the most part, mostly because of the added rye, but the noble hops do an adequate job of balancing out its profile. Good, but not great - I'd drink it again, and wouldn't discourage others from doing the same.

Pours crystal clear with a smallish head. The smell is grainy and sweet. The taste is also sweet, but not overly so. Some kolsches are way too sweet but this one is perfect on the sweetness level. Slightly tingly on the tongue
Dec 11 2022