Main Street Kölsch
4th Street Brewing Co.

My first ever Main Street ale -- chosen randomly as the first item at the top of the seasonal beer list – was stale. It was bright gold, clean, and even refreshing on a warm summer’s eve, but it was tired and flat. There was no lace and virtually no carbonation. Aside from that it was light on flavor and had no discernable smell, suggesting that even when fresh this may not have been an exemplary brew from the start.

What can be said of the Main Street Kölsch is that it makes no demands upon the drinker. The flavor is modestly sweet -- like a teaspoon of honey in a pint of water. It is dilute though easy to drink. But this beer as a whole lacks charisma, excitement, and as far as I can tell, alcohol.

There’s no excuse for serving stale beer at a brewpub. My advice to the brewer is to restrategize and try it again.