365 different beers from 365 different breweries in 365 days with random musings on beer, food, music, sports, dogs and anything else interesting along the way
Since we're experiencing a bit of Indian Summer with temperatures in the mid-80s today, I thought that the German style kolsch from Lancaster Brewing Company would be the perfect beer to review.
Nothing says summer like a creepy sun logo
The kolsch pours a deep golden color with a full
white head. It smells and tastes like summer. It has a sweet, grainy aroma that's also grassy and bright. The flavor has a good amount of hops, which prevents it from being too sweet or grainy. It's crisp and easy to drink and just what I needed.
Beer stats
Style: Kolsch
ABV: 4.8%
IBUs: 28
Rating: Great
Home from work this afternoon, getting ready to head down to the Phillies game tonight with some friends. We're trying to leave a bit early so that we're not stuck in two hours of beach/baseball/weekend traffic, but yeah - we're going to be stuck in two hours of traffic. You suck, roads of Pennsylvania. However, worth it to unwind and enjoy a night out with friends.
Today's review is Scratch 95, a Kolsch from Troegs. This beer has a hazy gold color, and is served in the most phallic beer glass I've ever seen. The aroma has notes of grain and fruit, and when you take a sip, you get a classic kolsch: refreshing mix of grain, a dry, light hop bitterness, some lemony citrus. I detected some light white grape notes hiding out in there, which lent the beer a certain sweetness that I really enjoyed. If you're planning a trip to Hershey in the very near future, stop in and try one of these. You won't be disappointed!!
This reminds you of.... a penis, right?
I mean... just look at it!
The Scratch beer series is Troegs' experimental beer work. Always good, always changing. Wish this one would make it into their permanent rotation.....
Thing to Think About Today:
If I'm going to be stuck in a traffic jam, then I think we should mellow out and relax to the smooth 90s stylings of Domino and his smash(?) hit Getto Jam. Enjoy your Friday, dear friends.
Day #511 Karnival Kolsch / Stoudt's Brewing Company, Reading, PA
Previously from this brewery: Scarlet Lady and Revel Red
It's a glorious, beautiful, sunny and warm day here in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Therefore, I'm debating how much I should type, as (1) I'd rather be outside and (2) are you going to read this if you're spending the day outside enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer? Although, you all have smart phones, so I suppose you can sit and read this while you enjoy the warm rays of the sun on your face. I sometimes get yelled at because I spend a fair amount of time looking at my phone. I can't help it... good things live there.
And once I hit the 'publish' button, this beer review will live in the internet (and your phone!) as well. Up today is a pint of Karnival Kolsch from Stoudt's, which I had on draft at a work happy hour last night. As you might expect from a kolsch, this beer has a clear pale gold color, and a nice bit of white head. There are aromas of grass, yeast, and grains, and balanced flavors of hops and malt, with some lemon and earthy notes in there as well. Very refreshing, very easy drinking... great beer to sip while you're sitting outside, reading this post....
Happy hour!
Second kolsch beer in a week, as I recently had the Kolsch from Lancaster Brewing Company as well. Both excellent choices when you're in the market for something lighter yet flavorful. If you're driving down the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Reading, you'll see signs for Stoudt's. You should take their advice and stop in for a beer.
Thing to Think About Today:
Are you outside? If not, let me paint you a musical picture of a sunny afternoon. No, I mean it - Tom Jones signing Sunny Afternoon. Yes, there's a minute of talking before the musics starts. But seriously, relax and enjoy the weather and don't worry about things like when the music will start. Enjoy!
Hustle day today, as taking time off work the past two weeks has me a bit behind in the office, which means everything else in life is a bit behind as well. And, your life is probably busy these days as well, as today is last shopping day for you to get me a birthday gift. Hustle, people!
Tonight I'm washing down dinner with a can of Kolsch from Lancaster Brewing. In the glass, this beer has a clear, pale golden hue, with a thin but persistent white head. Your nose finds the aroma of bread and light floral notes, and when you drink it down you get a beer that brings bread, grass, and some tart lemon, with a nice, mild hop bitterness on the finish. Crisp and refreshing, this is a perfect beer for summertime. Plus, it comes in cans, so you can take these with you to a tailgate, on the boat, or while driving your lawnmower.
I like it in the can.
For those who don't know, kolsch is a style of beer originally brewed in Cologne, Germany.
Thing to Think About Today:
You faithful readers know that most days, I tie something to do with the brewery or the beer into our thing to think about. Today is not one of those days. Instead, you get one of the songs stuck in my head currently: the new Daft Punk and Pharrell collaboration, Get Lucky. If this doesn't go into your summer sex mix, you're doing something wrong. (note: video is only a snippet of the actual song; just do yourself a favor and go download this asap)
Finally, it's here!!!! After a long, tumultuous off season, we're back in business in State College today. Tailgate starts at the bright and early hour of 7am, the motor home should be arriving by 8am, and we'll be in full swing shortly thereafter. I've been going to Penn State football games since I was seven years old, so by now it's simply part of my DNA. Some of my fondest memories happened in that parking lot, and I intend to use this season to continue that trend.
The beer for the day is Gaffel Kölsch from Gaffel Becker, which has a clear gold color. There are aromas of grain and barley, and the flavor is clean and simple, with prominent notes of grain, biscuit, and a hint of sweetness. Easy drinking beer for warm, late summer day.
Hi there.
This brewery traces it's roots back to the late 1800's. I think... my German isn't that good, and the Google translation doesn't seem to be very coherent today. Whatevs.
Thing to Think About Today:
We wrap up College Week with not just the greatest film about college ever, but probably one of the greatest films ever, period, end of story. I'm not sure when I first saw this film, although I specifically recall watching it when I was in high school, and making my mind up that my time in college was going to be the greatest time of my life.
I'm sure you've all seen this one, but it's a tale of the Delta house, a group only worried about the next party they can throw. That comes to a screeching halt when the Dean decides he wants to kick the trouble makers off campus for good, and enlists the elitist fraternity to help him in the cause. When he succeeds, it's time for Bluto (expertly played by John Belushi) to lead the Delta's in one last suicide mission for the ages.
In a movie where every scene is a great one, how can I possibly choose one to highlight here? I've already showed Bluto's speech to rally the Deltas in this space back in January, so let's let Eric Stratton have the floor. I desperately wanted to be Eric Stratton when I was in college. Admittedly, I failed in my attempt, but when you reach for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars. Thanks for spending some time here during College Week.... wonder what we can do to top it next week?
Ever have one of those days where you just get shit done? That was me...or I should say is me today. The productivity continues into the evening hours. Dinner is on the table. A new beer is in my glass. I have ideas for this weekend's posts. Two loads of laundry are done. I hung a bulletin board.
Although I just realized the guys haven't been fed. A clue should have been this...
...chasing me every time I moved. Sorry, guys! (He has a tail. It was just wagging too fast for the camera!)
Onto the beer! It's the Gaffel Kolsch from Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker and Company. That's in Germany if you couldn't guess from the name. This kolsch has an ABV of 4.8%...making it very drinkable. I'm a big fan of the kolsch style, but this one isn't doing it for me.
It poured a bright clear gold with very little head. It smells a little skunk-like. Did I get a bad bottle? It has a nice full mouthfeel but a very bitter taste. Again did my bottle turn? I'm not loving this one.
After writing this, I went to read other reviews. I really think I got a bad bottle. The other reviews note honey, floral hops, grass. Hmmm....I need to start a list of beers to revisit. This may be one of the first.
Yes, I laughed like a fool after writing my very punny title. In fact, I read it aloud to Gary and cackled like Henny Youngman was in my kitchen cracking one liners. (Wow. I am an old woman.) Anyway this beer sucks.
The Best Blonde Ale from Roy Pitz is supposed to be a kolsch. I stress supposed. It tastes like cheap beer. When I read kolsch, I think of Stoudts' Karnival Kolsch. Light and refreshing, mostly malt with a nice amount of hop. Golden in color, medium mouthfeel. This one is wheaty and sweet with an odd bitterness that pinches my throat. There is none of that vinous flavor. It's bitter, metalic and cracker-y. Gah. I really don't think I can finish this one. Barf.
Addendum: As I read through a bunch of reviews, I'm becoming concerned that I didn't get Best Blonde despite the label. Everyone's writing about a pale yellow beer. I got a slightly hazy amber color beer.
Beer #140 Reissdorf Kolsch / Privat-Brauerei Heinrich Reissdorf, Cologne, Germany
I think the one thing keeping me alive these days is daydreaming about vacation. We're planning on hitting the West Coast to completely immerse ourselves in beer, oysters, wine, fish tacos, and beer. Thinking of places to visit, beers I want to try, and warm weather keeps me motivated. If you have suggestions on places to visit in California and Oregon to get the best beers, wine, or food, please don't hesitate to share your thoughts. Do it!
While dreaming about vacation, there's no better way to stay focused than to drink a beer. Today I had a Reissdorf Kolsch on draft at TJ's. Admittedly, this beer is from the western area of Germany, not the West Coast, but it still works when planning a vacation. It pours a crystal clear gold in the glass, with virtually no head. Aromas are of earthy grains, and the taste gives you a clean, dry flavor of grain and yeast. It has an earthy, mineral side, but is very straight forward. Not the best kolsch I've ever had, but it definitely helps keep the wheels turning when thinking about a trip.
Crystal clear - as evidenced by being able to read the Great Lakes Brewery logo on the other side of the glass
This brewery dates back to 1894, and is currently being managed by the fourth generation. Interesting read about the history of the brewery and their recovery after World War II available on their site.
Thing to Think About Today:
There are a fair number of Americans who's only exposure to German culture came through an 80's talk show host by the name of Dieter Sprocket. NOW IT THE TIME ON SPROCKETS WHEN WE DANCE!
Beer #110 HooDoo Kolsch / Uinta Brewing Company, Salt Lake City, Utah
I hereby formally apologize for any perceived lack in quality from my blog posts this week. It just hasn't been a good week to be on my game. However, I vow that this will change. In the mean time, here's today's beer.
This craptacular Thursday, it's my turn to sample the HooDoo Kolsch from Uinta Brewing. This beer pours an effervescent cloudy yellow pour with a thin
head. The aroma is light, with notes of bread and earth. The taste brings a light malt, with a bit of a nutty
taste. Yeast, dry, grassy, earthy, but nothing that overpowers the senses. In all, it's a pretty mellow place. Sort of like Utah, I suppose. Marci crossed this brewery off her list earlier this month, check it out HERE. Definitely want to try some other beers from this brewery, but as of yet I've only seen the kolsch around these parts. Hopefully that changes soon!
Kolsch is a great summer beer, but I think I'd rank this one behind Stoudt's Karnival Kolsch. Definitely check that one out if you're in the market for a lighter beer that still packs a lot of flavor.
Thing to Think About Today:
Look, I've never been to Utah, although I hope to change that soon. When I think of Utah, obviously I think of Mormons, but let's not forget that other famous Utah thing: Johnny Utah, the lead character from that "so bad it's good" movie, Point Break. Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze? Sign me up!
On my travels today a new-to-me mash-up of LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells and The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony came on. It included some significant scratching which reminded me out of nowhere of my one meager attempt at a DJ career. It was back in the mid- to late-80s and I made my debut scratching on my dad’s prized turntable. Evidently one cannot just up and start scratching on any ol’ turntable and those fancy pants needles are really expensive. It sounded like shit. I ruined a record. I also found out how expensive a replacement needle was. I blame it on Run DMC or maybe Chaka Khan or was it Herbie Hancock?
***
Tonight I’m drinking a kolsch style ale from Uinta Brewing Company out of Salt Lake City, Utah. If anyone cares, it was bottled on October 28, 2011 and is brewed with renewable wind and solar energy. The HooDoo ale poured a golden straw color with a thin head that is leaving some serious lacing behind.
The smell is full of grain and slightly sweet smelling. The taste is smooth -- grains, malt, very mild hop. It’s ever so slightly sweet. If I was the kind of woman who cut the grass on a hot summer day, I would probably be quite happy to grab one of these afterwards. But since I’m more of a make-my-husband-do-it or hire-someone-else kind of gal, then I’ll probably just relax with one of these on a hot day and appreciate the lack of hard labor in my life.
You daily dose of knowledge revolves around funny words like Uinta and hoodoo. A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of a basin or badland located in dry, hot areas. Hoodoos can reach hieghts exceeding that of a ten-story building. Why did Uinta opt for hoodoo for the name of this kolsch? Nowhere in the world are hoodoos more abundant than in Utah and specifically Bryce Canyon National Park. And for your second bit of knowledge -- Uinta is the mountain range located in northeastern Utah.
Yes, I laughed like a fool after writing my very punny title. In fact, I read it aloud to Gary and cackled like Henny Youngman was in my kitchen cracking one liners. (Wow. I am an old woman.) Anyway this beer sucks. 
The smell is full of grain and slightly sweet smelling. The taste is smooth -- grains, malt, very mild hop. It’s ever so slightly sweet. If I was the kind of woman who cut the grass on a hot summer day, I would probably be quite happy to grab one of these afterwards. But since I’m more of a make-my-husband-do-it or hire-someone-else kind of gal, then I’ll probably just relax with one of these on a hot day and appreciate the lack of hard labor in my life. 