Kayak Kölsch
Lake Superior Brewing Company

Kayak KölschKayak Kölsch
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From:
Lake Superior Brewing Company
 
Minnesota, United States
Style:
Kölsch
ABV:
5%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 12.06%
Reviews:
62
Ratings:
134
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 21, 2021
Added:
Mar 05, 2002
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  19
Denizens of Cologne, Germany may call us “ugly Americans” for brewing a variation of this light, crisp ale. In fact, German law dictates that only a few breweries in Cologne and surrounding areas can legally call their beer Kolsches. Ours is more homage than theft: Starting with a malt base containing 10% wheat and ALL German hops, we ferment it with a hybrid ale yeast and then “lager” (or mellow) it in cold temperatures.

The result is a delicate, straw-blonde body and medium hop that delivers a crisp hint of fresh hay in place of the cloying sweetness of a lager or the bitter notes of a pale ale. It’s the perfect capper for a day spent hiking, hunting, or yes - kayaking.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by manitouman84:
Photo of manitouman84
Reviewed by manitouman84 from Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Brew pours a translucent golden yellow with a thin white head. Aromas mostly of grain, noble hop aroma, and notes of grape. Tastes as it smells, I get grain and cereal malt as the base of the flavor, grape hangs in the background, finishes with yeast and very very mild hop bitterness. Feels crisp and refreshing, a light bodied, lightly carbonated, very sessionable brew.
Sep 06, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.72 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 21, 2021
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Pours a slightly muddy, pale-brown color that is cloudy with a frosty, white head. SRM of 10. (3.50)

Aroma: Strong aromas of lemon citrus, some apple, grapefruit and grass. Then some fresh baked bread. (4.00)

Flavor: Fruit on the tongue too. Lemon, apple, grapefruit with a hint of tartness. Then comes a dry and nice bready malt profile to clean off the palate. Finishes dry and clean. Not bitter. (4.00)

Feel: Lighter-bodied. Decent carbonation. Finishes dry and clean. Alcohol is well-hidden (3.75)

Overall: A pretty decent Kolsch. It has nice lemon, apple, and tart grapefruit fruit flavors. Fantastic bready backbone! It's just a little thin and lacking some complexity. Overall, pretty average, and well-done for an American brewery. (Final Rating: 3.90)
Sep 13, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by DownyIsHungry from Minnesota

May 18, 2019
Photo of JimboBrews54
Reviewed by JimboBrews54 from Michigan

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer has a golden orange appearance. Its aroma has some grassy malt, not much hops. The taste is balanced. It’s not a terribly complex beer, but it’s still good!
Nov 24, 2018
Photo of deleted_user_1239096
Reviewed by deleted_user_1239096

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a nice, dark gold colour. Taste is that of a very mild orange flavour, can definitely taste the yeast at finish. Perfect for a hot summer day and easily drinkable!
Sep 22, 2018
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

3.69/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 12oz can into glass. Can has ABV% as 5.1.
Slightly cloudy, pale gold colored body. Thin creamy cap. Leaves behind some trails of lacing.
Hay and biscuit in the aroma, with a hint of apple.
Smooth, rather flat taste profile of freshly mown hay and slightly spicy hops. Some hints of fresh fruit (apple and peach).
Medium mouth feel. Does not have a long lasting after taste. Quite satisfying and thirst quenching.
Pleasant beer that has more subdued tastes but is still great for summer activities.
Aug 01, 2018
Photo of badgerbeer1
Rated by badgerbeer1 from Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +28.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Great beer. Not usually a big fan of kolsch beer but this set the bar. Loved it
May 29, 2018
 
Rated: 4.29 by kiki123 from Minnesota

Dec 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Jul 03, 2017
 
Rated: 3.63 by Nolster from Minnesota

Apr 06, 2017
Photo of Tone
Reviewed by Tone from Missouri

3.91/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy, gold color. 1/5 inch head of an off-white color. Decent retention and good lacing. Smells of pale malt, hint of sweet malt, hops, slight wheat, and fruit (apple?). Fits the style of a Kolsch. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong pale malt, slight fruit, wheat, hint of yeast, hint of sweet malt, and a hint of hops. Overall, not a traditional Kolsch, but nevertheless quite tasty.
Jan 20, 2017
Photo of hoptheology
Reviewed by hoptheology from California

3.79/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Orange gummy bear color with a firm 1 finger head. 60% opaque.

Aromas of cornbread and crisp apples.

Flavor is satisfying...very fresh, minimal biterness, and faint tart fruits. First taste is hay, then baked malts, club soda, bread top, white pepper, and green apple skins.

Feel is crisp and clean, just as it should be. Minimal resin, very clean.

Kayak Kolsch does justice to the style and incorporates its own flair while doing so. Recommended.
Dec 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.1 by Jodio from Texas

Jul 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.14 by lic217 from Connecticut

Jul 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by FitgerFanatic from Minnesota

May 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Cpt_splding from Minnesota

Mar 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by SortaAmbivalent from Minnesota

Oct 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.47 by BrewNoob1 from Minnesota

Oct 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.35 by thorkelson from Minnesota

Sep 29, 2015
Kayak Kölsch from Lake Superior Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 134 ratings