92 Summertime, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 4.7% ABV (4/09)
Bright golden yellow color with a foamy head. Aromas of bread and dried citrus have a tangy edge and follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with good balance and a deft touch of toast, wet stone and meringue on the gentle finish.
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.
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 peppercorn flavors. Finishes with a mineral-laden citrus and Brazil nut fade.
85 Kentucky Light, Alltech Lexington Brewing (KY). 4.5% ABV (4/09)
Bright golden yellow color with a lacy head. Aromas of bread flour and dough follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry light-to-medium body with hints of dried lemon and grassy hops on the gentle toasty finish. A nice quaffer.
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.
84 Victor’s Gold, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 4.5% ABV (4/09) %{Brewpub}
Slightly hazy golden amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of caramel-drizzled toast, candy corn and wet grain follow through on a soft, almost limp, low carbonation entry to a dryish medium body with peach jam on buttered nut toast notes. Finishes with a flavorful, bready—if somewhat dilute in texture—fade with a prick of pepper.
84 Best Blonde, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 4% ABV (4/09) %{Brewpub}
Hazy old gold color with a fine blanket of foam. Aromas of pepper frittata, floury toasted biscuit and wet dirt follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with sourdough and bruised lemon notes. Finishes with a rich, multigrain flour and fried egg-yolk fade. Interesting.