Medicine Hat Brewing Co. Clear & Crisp – Kölsch at 5.3% ABV | 24 IBU (2024 BeerAdvent Calendar #10, 473 ml, packaged on 7-Aug-2024, acquired 23-Nov-2024, reviewed 10-Dec-2024)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: biscuity malt, mild grass and citrus. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, moderate-lively carbonation, clean crisp finish. (3/5)
On their web site, the brewer quite correctly points out that this can’t be a true Kölsch because it’s not brewed in Köln. And, I don’t consider myself sufficiently versed in the style to detect whether they’ve gotten the water chemistry absolutely right. That being said, I know what the style is supposed to be like, and this pretty much nails it. I like this and could drink stange after stange of it even if it does stumble just a tiny bit in the finish. (Yes, a Kölsch glass is a “stange,” and yes, I have a box full of ‘em from Germany. I always like the opportunity to use #properglassware for less common styles!) (15/20)
This will be my 6,038th unique Untappd check-in.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
