Lexington Avenue Brewery Kolsch

Another beer I ordered while out to dinner at Lexington Avenue Brewery (The LAB) was the Kolsch. The beer pours a golden color with a frothy white colored head. The aroma consists of lemon, wheat, grass, and caramel. The taste is butterscotch, caramel, lemon, and grass. The alcohol content is not available online, but I would assume it to be about 5.0% ABV. This was an alright Kolsch, but not as clean and crisp as I like. The butterscotch flavor got in the way of it being too enjoyable, and I wouldn’t return to this beer.

Stoudt's Achluophobia Black Kolsch

Another beer I ordered at Fat Head’s in Pittsburgh was Stoudt’s Achluophobia Black Kolsch. The beer pours a black color with a frothy tan colored head that leaves a lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of chocolate, caramel, coffee, and lemon. The taste is light bodied with chocolate, lemon, coffee, toasted malts, grass, and pepper. All of the flavors you would expect from a stout were combined with those of a kolsch, and it blended really well. The alcohol content is 4.8% ABV. I thought this was a really good beer that brought two distinct and unique styles together in one glass, similar to a black and tan. The grassy finish on top of chocolate flavors is what sold it to me.

Troegs Scratch 65- Kolsch

I went to the Troegs Tasting Room to get my hands on a glass of Scratch 65- Kolsch. As the kolsch is one of my favorite styles of beer, I was more than excited to try this. The beer pours a golden color with a frothy white head that leaves a thin lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of lemon, grass, earth, and a hint of toffee. The taste is clean and fresh, which is the most important part of the experience for me. Lots of grassy and peppery hops make their way to the tongue with a hint of toffee in the background and a light lemony finish. The alcohol content is 4.8% ABV. This was a wonderful kolsch and I am extra particular of this style. I would put it near the top of my lists of the style that I have tried, and I would hope that Troegs brings this beer back again.

Rock Bottom-Penn Brewery-Hofbrauhaus Home Opener

Another Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week collaboration on tap at Bocktown in Robinson was Home Opener. This kolsch was brewed at Rock Bottom in Pittsburgh with assistance from staff from Penn Brewery and Hofbrauhaus. The beer pours a golden color with a frothy white head. The aroma consists of light lemon, pepper, and caramel. Overall, the aroma is pretty faint, but that is typical of the style. The taste is clean and fresh with lemon, buttered crackers, and a grassy dry finish. The alcohol content is not available online, but I would estimate it to be approximately 4.5% ABV. I’d say this was a pretty delicious kolsch, although I wouldn’t rank it among my favorites. The slight buttered cracker flavor got in the way of it tasting 100% clean, and I am very picky when it comes to kolsch beers.

Lancaster Brewing Company Kolsch

I picked up a case of Lancaster Brewing Company Kolsch in cans for my trip to the beach. The beer pours a golden color with a lofty foamy white head. The aroma consists of lemon citrus and light hops. The taste is light and sweet with a good malt base and lemon accents. The beer finishes with a light spicy finish, but quite smooth. The alcohol content is 4.8% ABV. This Kolsch was a great example of the style and very well done. It pairs really well with the beach and summertime weather, so grab it while you CAN (see what I did there?) and take it on vacation.