90 Tsuyama Itsuha, Tago Brewery Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Sweet fruity peach jam and banana pudding aromas are very attractive. A frothy entry leads to a tangy, dryish, light-to-medium body of toasted golden apple raisin bread, dried banana and delicate spice. Finishes with a toasty, delicate, bittering hop fade. Extremely refreshing and an excellent food beer.
90 Summertime Kölsch, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 4.7% ABV (4/08)
Bright hay straw color. Nice lace from solid head retention. Citrus, candied lemon zest, meringue and tiny hints of bubble gum on the nose. Spritzy mouth feel that quickly mousses over the palate delivering the lightly toasted malt flavors of fresh bread and hints of lemon and grain of paradise. Finishes clean with just another hint of bubble gum—dare I say Juicy Fruit?—and ends balanced and bright. Quenching quaff for extra innings at the ballpark.
88 Kölsch, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.8% ABV (11/06)
Rich pale amber color. Nutty, bread dough and clay aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of fruit bread dough, sea salt and pink peppercorns flavors. Finishes with a mineral laden, citrus and Brazil nut fade.
85 Corano Extra Kölsch, Brew Brothers (NV). 5.3% ABV (4/08) %{Brewpub}
Pale golden color. Thin veil of lace from very little head retention. Lively aromatics of lemon zest and lemon curd with hints of faint fresh sourdough bread and just a slight trail of musty malt. Bright and lively entry. More notes of lemon zest and citrus flavors combined with nougaty, bread-like malt backbone. Lasting finish of the aforementioned citrus zest with a quenching tang. A balanced summer quencher.