Captain Kolsch
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

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From:
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Kölsch
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.26 | pDev: 16.87%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
13
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 14, 2018
Added:
Jun 05, 2017
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  2
Brewed specifically for Trader Joe's.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by harsley:
Photo of harsley
Rated by harsley from Massachusetts

2.82/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Aug 12, 2017
More User Ratings:
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

3.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A bottle (22 fl oz brown glass format) ran me $4.99 at a Trader Joe's.

"Kolsch style ale" (translation: they might've not used actual Kolsch yeast). 4.8% ABV. 26 IBUs.

Darker in body than any traditional Kolsch I've seen, coming in at a dark amber-copper. Seemingly filtered judging by its clean clear complexion. Head is frothy and thick but short in height at ~2cm. Head retention is above average - ~5 minutes.

AROMA: Again, this doesn't seem like a Kolsch. Bread crust, amber malts/amber malt syrup, floral hops. Aromatic intensity is below average.

Lacks the refreshing inviting fresh aroma I'd associate with a German Kolsch.

TASTE: Poor for a Kolsch, but decent for an amber lager. Amber malts lend it its backbone. Caramel, bread crust, floral hop character, slightly doughy yeast.

Neither well-balanced nor well-built. Not a Kolsch by any measure, though it has no off-flavours and lacks overt booziness.

TEXTURE: Smooth, wet, well-carbonated, medium-bodied, and of moderate thickness. Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy,

OVERALL: Choosing to judge it as an amber lager instead of its ostensible Kolsch intention, it's above average. Very drinkable though very rudimentary. Were it not for its price, it might be a worthy rival to Yuengling. I'll enjoy polishing off the bottle, but at its high price point it's tough to justify purchasing again.

Low C+ (3.03) / ABOVE AVERAGE
Jan 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.05 by IRONRakkasan from California

Aug 31, 2017
 
Rated: 3.59 by Noelito76 from New York

Aug 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.59 by JonSchwartz from North Carolina

Aug 08, 2017
Photo of HattedClassic
Reviewed by HattedClassic from Virginia

3.38/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours a light white and fizzy head that dissipates quickly. The beer itself is a certainly interesting color considering the style guidelines. The beer itself is a clear brown; while it looks good for a beer, it definitely is something that you don't expect from a kolsch.

The smell and taste are decent but lacking. The smell has same interesting roasted notes with a light floral hoppiness to it and some nice and sweet caramel malt notes to it. The taste has the same notes pretty much plus a bit of light caramel.

The feel is meh. It's a light body with a smooth body but not much texture to it.

Overall, it's a decent altbier but not really a kolsch. If you like altbiers, then go for it; otherwise, skip.
Aug 06, 2017
 
Rated: 3.12 by BrewNoob1 from Minnesota

Aug 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.12 by EdmundBlackadder from Ohio

Jul 29, 2017
Photo of mikeg67
Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey

1.74/5  rDev -46.6%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
22 oz bottle from TJ. Pours brown (?) with tall, long lasting, fluffy, white head. Aroma is of grassy hops, caramel malt and bread crust. Body is medium and smooth. Taste is of caramel malt and herbal hops. Finish is long and dry. It would be more believable if Harpoon called it alt.
Jul 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by RBorsato from Virginia

Jul 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4.02 by mnine from California

Jun 24, 2017
Photo of Blackop555
Reviewed by Blackop555 from Michigan

3.87/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours light reddish brown. Foamy, medium, off white head that lasts a little while.

Smells light toasted malt, fruit hints, earthy hops and bready malt.

Tastes bready malt and earthy hops. Followed by light fruit and touch grain. Dry finish with malty linger. Medium body and fizzy lighter medium carbonation.
Jun 24, 2017
 
Rated: 3.53 by UCLABrewN84 from California

Jun 10, 2017
Captain Kolsch from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 13 ratings