Kölsch Encounters of the Briny Deep by Nubis Sanctum Ales

June 25, 2016 by cloudx30 tagged Azzaca Hops, Chrono Cross, Chrono Cross Kid, German Kölsch, Home brewing, Kölsch, Kölsch Encounters of the Briny Deep, Kid, Nubis Sanctum Ales | Leave a comment

Rating: 4/5

Kölsch Encounters of the Briny Deep by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 6.8% ABV German Kölsch brewed with Azzaca hops.

==Introduction==

Project #22 was my first attempt at brewing very close to a light lager. I realize my Gravity was a bit much but luckily it did not get over the top. Needless to say, when I first tried it, it really felt like a clean lager even though it fermented at ale temperatures. I made this beer wanting to take a step back to the first beer I ever made. It was called A Dive Into The Pale, since it was like taking a dive into making beers for the first time. I have come a long way since that time but this time, I wanted to make a testament to what I have learned so far. I made this beer which is a style close to a lager fermented at warm temperatures because with lighter beers, it is much easier to spot off flavors. Therefore, making this one, while easy to make, the outcome would be the hardest part and taking everything I learned, I had to make sure it came out right. While brewing actual lagers requires colder temperatures and temperature control equipment, you can still make a light beer. Well, without further ado, let’s see how my lighter, clearer attempt at a beer turned out.

Aromas:
Pilsner cereal grain, biscuit bread, honey dew melon, banana, citrus, grape and honey hints.

Flavors:
Citrus, Cane sugar hints, biscuit bread, banana hints, grape hints, coriander hints, lemon peel hints, pilsner grain, honey hints, mild vanilla, stone fruit hints, pears, honey dew melon hints, kiwi hints and very minor mango hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with clean and cry with very mild tropical hints on the back end. No alcohol in the taste, Pale hay colored clear body, crisp, clean and refreshing mouth feel and easy to drink.

Overall:
A very delicious Kölsch. Even though I only used one ounce of Azzaca, the flavor profiles from that small amount of hops is what really started to drive the beer along with the Kölsch yeast which I felt gave it closer to the German lager with the banana notes. The tropics were definitely from the hops. Although the beer came out a bit higher in alcohol than what I wanted, I think it still came out to a really drinkable clean beer. I will definitely make this again but the only thing I would adjust is the amount of malt I add to lower the ABV into the lager range. Despite that, for being so damn clean, clear and above the average tasting lagers, I really enjoyed what I did with this one.

Anime Corner:
Kid from Chrono Cross was used for this beer and pairing as she represents the clean waters, the dive into the ocean. The name of the beer is a play at Close Encounters. In this case, Kid finding this beers is like finding gold. This beer is like the color of gold. Very nice and clear and while it is not worth millions of dollars, the taste buds seem to say otherwise.

Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Kid.%28Chrono.Cross%29.full.428212.jpg

Mangö by Clown Shoes

September 12, 2015 by cloudx30 tagged American Kölsch, clown shoes, Clown Shoes Brewing, Crunkle Sam, German Kölsch, Kölsch, mango, passion fruit, Starry Orange | Leave a comment

Rating: 4/5

Mangö by Clown Shoes is a 6.5% ABV American Kölsch brewed with Mango.

Label:
Crunkle Sam, tired of being a mere anomaly as a most refreshing summertime Barleywine ale, targeted a German beer style and bastardized it. He had us brew a traditional Kolsch, but made us dry hop it and add all natural mango flavor. Warning: This beer is NOT Reinheitsgebot!

==Introduction==

Passing this beer up a couple of times, I decided I finally give it a shot and bring it here for a review. Mainly because it is close to 100°F weather and its is super hot this summer. El Godzilla Niño strikes with no remorse and the heat is unbearable. Leave it to Clown Shoes to make an awesome summertime beer. This is the second time I try a Kölsh and to be honest, it is the next best thing next to the pilsner. So since this one is made with mango, lets take a dive and see what tropics this one awaits! Cheers!

Aromas:
Mango notes, cereal grains, strawberry notes, mango candy, stone fruit apricot, peaches, citrus, oranges, lemon peel, pilsner malt, cereal grain, strawberry notes, herbal and grassy hop hints, banana notes, coriander spice Banana hints, pineapple hints, honey dew melon, prickly pear, passion fruit hints, and dragon fruit hints.

Flavors:
Mango, Banana hints, pineapple hints, honey dew melon, prickly pear, passion fruit hints, dragon fruit hints, mint, citrus, oranges, lemon peel, pilsner malt, cereal grain, strawberry notes, herbal and grassy hop hints, mango candy, vanilla hints, biscuit bread, apple notes, stone fruit peaches, apricots, coriander spice and Danish cream notes.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with some mango and other tropical fruit notes and citrus with hints of herbal hops
No alcohol in the taste, Lemon colored light to medium body, crisp, clean and refreshing mouth feel and easy to drink.

Overall:
Very delicious and refreshing beer. While I understand that they use natural mango flavoring for this one, it still does not hide that the beer overall is a delicious beer. I made my Mango Double IPA with real mango which was above this one but we really compare apples to oranges. This is the best one for the summer. Not too boozy, ridiculous drinkability, not too sweet even thought he rich fruit flavors are there but not cloying at all. Definitely hit this one up before the summer is gone. It made this hot day way more tolerable. Thanks Crunkle Sam!

Anime Corner:
Original character by Pyon Kichi for the Album “Starry Orange” which was composed by Artist DJ Genki was used in this pairing to show case how American the girl is as she almost looks like the Statue of Liberty with her crown. That complements Crunkle Sam as he is surrounded by tropical fruits like the mangos. This beer overall and the art scream summertime no doubt about it and ‘Murrica!

Sources:
http://blog-imgs-65.fc2.com/o/t/a/otakunanikki3/yande_re2029442620sample.jpg

Tailgater by Flat Tail

August 28, 2015 by cloudx30 tagged Asuka, Asuka Langley, Asuka Langley Shikinami, Asuka Langley Soryu, Asuka Shikinami Soryu, Evangelion, Flat Tail, German Kölsch, German style, Kölsch, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pilsner malt, Tailgater, Tailgating | Leave a comment

Rating: 4/5

Tailgater by Flat Tail is a 5% ABV German Kölsch.

Label:
A sophisticated slammer, for the progressive redneck in us all…

Tailgating doesn’t have to mean crap beer, and the good stuff shouldn’t have to come with directions. Rich German Pilsner malt, a hint Noble hops, and the kind of brilliant yet unfiltered clarity that only comes with time . So, lock those hubs, drop that tailgate, and pop that top with your pinky up. After all, this isn’t your Grandpa’s fizzy yellow beer.

==Introduction==

Got this one as a freebie from CraftsShack.com for ordering some good beers. Looks like being a good customer pays off after a while. Thanks for the freebie guys! Also, instead of just drinking this off, I decided, what the hey, we don’t get this one locally, Review time! Technically, this would be my second Flat Tail Brewing beer, where the Cyanide and Hoppiness was the first. I don’t think I have tried the actual Kölsch style before in a review or ever really. I heard it is really light and easy to drink and from I can tell so far in appearance, it surely is looking that way. So let’s give this one a shot shall we?

Aromas:
Citrus, honey, cane sugar notes, phenolic bready hints, hints of clove spice, lemon, green apples, Stone fruit peach hints, pilsner malt, lyche fruit, piney hop hints, biscuit bread and cereal grains.

Flavors:
Citrus, Stone fruit peaches, light apricots, pilsnery malt, biscuit bread, cereal grain hints, orange notes, lychee, piney hints, honey, cane sugar notes, phenolic bready hints, hints of clove spice, lemon, green apples and honey dew melon.

Aftertaste:
Finishin dry with minor notes of the stone fruit and citrus. No alcohol in the taste, clear straw colored light body, crisp, clean and refreshing and easy to drink.

Overall:
Amazing, such a light body and great summer beer. I did not know what to think of this one coming into it but the more I drank it the more I like it. Like the very definition of summer with nothing too over powering and yet so refreshing and delicious. Makes me want to take a look at the Kölsch style more and more to see what great things it has.

Anime Corner:
Asuka Langley Shikinami/Sohryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion was used in this pairing to go with the whole Tailgating theme but the actual Tailgating done by Germans. In this case, Germans would typically go tailgating for a Football/Soccer game and not American Football. Regardless of what sport is being tailgated, this beer fits right in. But because it is a German Kölsch, Asuka, being half German and representing the German National team, was definitely the Goal!

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/ZGLuLQc.jpg