Shiner Kölsch (Summer Stock)

Brewed by Spoetzl Brewery (Gambrinus Company)
Style: Kölsch
Shiner, Texas USA

I had this on a hot, early September Minnesota day, which is still summer-y, so the atmosphere was for right for it’s intentions... Appearance: clear, bright yellow color, solid fluffy white head. Aroma: big on the lemon, otherwise clean and clear. Taste: clean, also, on the palate, with some malty sweetness, and just a little hop bite. "Crisp, refreshing taste", reads the label, but only so much, it seems. I had the pleasure of sampling some true German kolschs for the first time, just before tasting "Summer Stock", and the difference is rather sharp. Goes down smooth, to be sure, but it becomes far too sweet, and as we get halfway in, cloyingly so. Lacks the trim dryness and sophisticated hop tang. But not a bad beer, if isn’t close to those Koln kolsches, and surely must drench the gullet just fine in Texas.

Deep yellow and crystal clear and inactive, yet with a standing sudsy head. Very malty aroma. Crispy malty flavors with vague almost wheaty texture ... very reminiscent of the true Koelches ... not bad.

Dark straw color with a white quickly diminished head. Best desciption off the top of my head is smells like a weak malt liquor. Light sweet pale malt folowed by a strong grassy weed bitterness. Switches from one to the other, without mixing. Must find something else to clear the palate.

Pours clear yellow with thinly lacing head. Soap in the nose with some hops. Fairly hoppy overall, I get no wheat flavor from this at all. Not my favorite of the genre.

Hops, a bit of corn ans some sulfur in the nose. No brightness or cleanliness on the tongue. murky malts, with a vaguely half sweet finish. Vaguely wheaty as well.

pours a urine yellow with a fluffy white head. aroma is sour wheat smelling. initial taste is sweet with a fuller wheaty lemon finish. ;eaves a clean mouthfeel.

I expected a bit more from this. Has a lot of carbonation at first. Then it settles and has no head to top the bright gold body. The aroma is light with a little green beans. The taste is like flour with a little butter. Not a refreshing drink. I'll take another Shiner, please.

Pale yellow body with substantial carbonation and a sudsy white head. Tart, wheaty, and buttery nose. Citrus and light malt flavor and mild bitterness in the finish. Fairly crisp. I commend Shiner for trying at least.