J.T. Whitneys Koln Kolsch

Draft at the brewpub. Poured a clear pale gold color with a thin white head. The aroma was one dimensional, consisting of distinct, but subdued apple. Not really what you’d expect when smelling a kolsch. Light bodied and slightly sweet. Distinct apple came out again in the flavor and was accompanied by hay and some white paper (at the end). Strange fruity beer without even the slightest hint of hops. This one didn’t have much going for it.

Pours a clear straw yellow colour with no head. Light, crisp and clean but watered down. Faint lemon aroma, grass and corn. Flavors that reminded me of rice and crackers. Bleh.

Clear gold with a nice white head. A nice honey taste with a nice malt / hop balance. A brewpub staple kind of beer. Not all that interesting but drinkable.

On draught at the brewpub in Madison, Wisconsin. Pours a light golden blonde brew with a thin and fast dissolving white head that has some spotty lacing and white ring. Aroma of golden grain malt, some grassy hops, green vegetable character and a touch of honey. Taste is light bodied, plenty of carbonation with flavors of golden grain malt, grassy and light citrus hops, some farm hay and a touch of honey. Finish has a sharp bitterness then a clean cut aftertaste. Not quite the Colonge Kölsch I am used to but still a simple light session beer.

On tap at the brewpub. Golden yellow with a thin white head. Aroma of corn, grassy hops and light sweet malt. Taste of corn, grassy hops with a mild hop finish. Taste is too vegetal. My least favorite beer on the sampler.

Poured a golden color with a slight hint of haze to it. Aroma was that of fresh cut grass and the pungent aroma of tart hops. Pallate was much of the same - a little sweet malt taste up front followed by a pallate ripping hop blast. Aftertaste was slightly bitter. Not overly impressed by this one.

On tap at the Thirsty Troll Brewfest

Jt Whitney’s did not bring much that was of interest but this did catch my eye. I have had samples in the past but never properly rated it. Since I am unlikely to order a full pint at the brewpub this was my best chance to get a sample. It wasn’t bad but I found myself wondering if it couldn’t be better.

Aroma / Appearance - The body was very clear with a starch white head. Straw and wheat were all I could pick up from the simple nose.

Flavor / Palate - Honey, melon and straw fill the mouth briefly before things evaporate on the tongue. It is clean and simple which as much as one could expect from a kolsch. If it were any other style I would have called it a bad example. This one is so-so.

Date: 06/22/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

clear yellow, fine white head, streaks of lace, light sweet malt aroma, nicely bittered light malt flavor,

Aroma: 3/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 4/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 7/20
Rating: 2/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *+/4