Tuck's Kölsch
Tuck's Brewery

Tuck’s Kölsch begins as a visually stunning beer with a head pressed so flawlessly level and impeccably white, I have to pause before going any further just to admire this portrait of serenity in a glass. I’ve never seen a beer head so placid and sensual. It’s like snow on goose down. It begs, just begs, to be raised to your lips.

Kölsch is a style that is often overlooked and rarely duplicated with much success by Northwest brewers. Tuck’s Kölsch stands out as highly distinctive and successful in this enterprise. Its unique yeast and malt conjunction makes for a compelling flavor for which the aroma is an astute compliment. The body is pale goldenrod, clear though not lucid.

This beer delivers the goods with abundant character, making for an appealing interpretation of this traditional German ale. The same brewer has been known to produce an imperial kölsch that I sampled once at the Portland International Beerfest and walked away similarly impressed.