Josephs Brau Summer Brew - Trader Joe's Brewing Company

StonedRugger

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I saw this beer at the Trader Joe's check outs a couple days ago and at $3 for 6, I figured what the hell. This is my only experience of Kolsch so far. Judging by other reviews I need to search out others to see what a Kolsch is meant to be.

But I'm judging this beer as a Summer Brew since that is what it is called and why Trader Joe's is trying to get them sold before they go bad.

The smell is not good. It smells like any Macro you've had. Thankfully my nose does not work particularly well. I bought the beer because Summer Brew means light and good for sessions or parties where my penchant for high octane IPA's work less well over a few hours drinking.

Crisp moutfeel with a sweet nose and a bitter, and somewhat dry, finish. The bitterness of whatever hops were used stands out, but the aftertaste is not bad.

Appearance is meh, yellowish, very clear. I poured into a pilser and got a fair amount of lacing and lumpy head with bubbles continuing to rise from the bottom.

I put appearance at the end because the first two I had were out of the bottle and having poured the third, I think it might actually taste better in the bottle. A Kolsch? Other members say no. A drinkable beer? Yes. Accept it as a summer seasonal more than a Kolsch and enjoy it...and get them cheap now (October) before they are gone.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 01:40:31 | More by StonedRugger

theopholis

California

2.63/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Golden & clear with a very fluffy, white 2-finger head. The head has some staying power, but leaves very little lacing. It continually effervesces slowly for quite some time.

Smell: Crisp, clean malt sweetness with a hint of corn.

Taste: A very mediocre malt profile, with more corn than there should be for a Kolsch. None of the traditional earthy herbalness that you expect form a Kolsch.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is light to mid bodied, carbonation is average. Nothing to write home about.

Drinkability : Very sessionable, but Kolschs should be. It's not a great Kolsch.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

09-18-2010 06:47:42 | More by theopholis

tapman

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear, orange hue, thin head, very filtered, looks like very little carbonation. No bubble ribbons coming from the bottom of the glass. Usually even thin beers have a ribbon or two.

Wheaty, sweet, pilsner malt, soapy, fruity and floral. Also clean/neat with no off or sulfur-like aromas. Smells refreshing and slightly citrusy. Some banana form the yeast maybe? Almost belgium-ish. Smells good, but weird for the style, especially compared to a Suner kolsch.

Apricots and pastry dough; like drinking a liquid pastry. Sweet and bitter, this one is more like a Blue Moon contender. And while it would contend quite well, off for a kolsch. Actually quite tasty.

Good enough. Not effervescent enough for my taste of a kolsch.

A great tasting beer. Half the price of Blue Moon and just about as tasty.. only problem is that it is not a Belgium Wit, but a Kolsch.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-31-2010 04:10:51 | More by tapman

Dasa1044

New York

1.5/5  rDev -50.2%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Trader Joes Summer Brew, which is supposed to be a Koelsch style beer is probably as close to a Koelsch as Cologne is to San Jose, California. Absolutely not worth being called a Koelsch.
I hope that they will re-visit their brewing technique on this one and improve it for next year.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-26-2010 00:22:45 | More by Dasa1044

IntriqKen

California

3.58/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours crystal clear dark yellow topped with an off-white craggy head that is constantly being fed with lots of medium sized carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass.

Nose is biscuit grain and tiny hops.

Mouthfeel is creamy and almost thick with carbonation...a bit too much for me.

Taste is similar to the smell but much more so. Biscuit grain first then sharp citrus hops that tingle the tongue. Neither a sweet nor a bitter brew. Simply crisp and refreshing..best at really cold temps.

Lots of drying after you swallow almost forcing you to take another sip...then another. Aftertaste is all about the dry citrus hops.

Another good bargain beer from Trader Joe's.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-15-2010 22:10:47 | More by IntriqKen

mralphabet

Virginia

3.08/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass

A: Golden & clear with nice looking carbonation. About a finger & a half worth of head, pretty nice lacing.

S: Sweet malt and lemons, with a hint of corn.

T: Just like the smell... lemons, malt & corn.... There is a little spiced mixed in and a little hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste.

M: Mouthfeel is light to mid bodied, carbonation is there but not over board.

D: Low ABV makes this a good session beer, but it is a little corny for my taste. Overall mix of flavors are not bad just not by cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-30-2010 04:12:25 | More by mralphabet

Mosstrooper

California

3.3/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into 500ml Wiehenstephaner World Cup glass.

Appearance: Clear, pale golden color with a large, thick white head that dissipates somewhat quickly and leaves behind heavy spots of lace.

Smell: Pale malt and grassy smells.

Taste: Begins with a sweet grainy flavor, finishing with more grain flavors and a bitter grassy flavor.

Mouthfeel: Light body, heavier carbonation, and a clean, refreshing finish.

Drinkability: A pretty bland beer overall, but it only cost me 20 cents, so I'm not complaining. This would make a good refresher and, at the price I got it for, it's still worth it. If you can get it that cheap, it's at least worth the tasting.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-21-2010 16:53:52 | More by Mosstrooper

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

2.38/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

12oz bottle poured into pint glass.
Poured golden yellow with lager clarity. Small head that falls quickly. Smell is rather unappealing. Like wet dog and cooked vegetables. Taste is also a little strange. An upfront lime flavor that seems out of place with a small grassy hop profile. Flavor and aroma did begin to improve as the brew warmed up. Has a mild dry bitterness in the back end and a slick mouthfeel. Not something I would want another of since I had trouble finishing one. In short, a subpar attempt at a great style.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-14-2010 02:50:48 | More by JunkYardJake

wedge

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear solid yellow with a soft, lumpy white head that fills up the rest of my glass. Nice biscuity Pilsner malt aroma, sweetness, noble hops, and a subtle fruit note. Sweet grain and peppery/grassy flavor with enough hops to add a crispy bitterness to the finish. Light and refreshing.

For $6 a 6-pack, I'll take this to the pool or beach over your average macro lager any day. Not the most exciting beer in the world, nor is it a great example of the style (seems to be more of a Pils), but it's an inexpensive summer beer and in this NC heat, it's pretty satisfying.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-11-2010 21:23:51 | More by wedge

Bajasith

California

3.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

- Brother-In-law brought me this brew along with my usual order of craft brews...
- Poured very clear golden hue with a slight one finger frothy head...
- Smell was that of an iced brewed tea with a hint of lime, not lemmon since lime has a certain bitterness to it, along with malts coming threw in the end...
- Taste was very mellow as the slight bitterness of the hops and roastiness of the malts allowing a hint of caramell sweetness. Very pleasing to the palate as its not to heavy. Small price makes this brew style very drinkable here in the 110 degree weather...

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-08-2010 16:46:47 | More by Bajasith

droomyster

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear gold with a small white head. Aromas are pretty subdued but are good: a lemony hoppiness with faintly honeyish maltiness. These same notes come through on the palate, where the flavors are also subdued but are very natural tasting and well-balanced. It's nothing special but it's a fine representative of the kolsch style. A nice choice for sweltering weather.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

06-22-2010 04:27:38 | More by droomyster

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear golden with some good head.

Smell: Caramel malts and lemon. Not particular strong, but it's pretty pleasant. I wish there were more of the smell though.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Like the smell, I like the caramel malts and lemon here. Good creamy mouthfeel, but a bit of a metallic taste as well. That's definitely a downside. I do like the vague hops bitterness in the background though, but I wish there were more.

Drinkability: A few of these make for a good barbeque.

Overall: A smooth, fairly clean summer beer perfect for the barbeque.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

06-21-2010 03:23:20 | More by tjsdomer2

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A – Very brassy gold, no real head or lacing sticks around after initial pour.

S – A bit lemony and just a hint of buttery caramel.

T – The taste is more of the same, but it seems a little bit spiced, especially with the stronger citrus notes. I am not either impressed or unimpressed with the amplification of flavors compared to a traditional Kolsch, subtlety would’ve worked just as well.

M – Kolsch always has good mouthfeel, it is one of its hallmarks, to me. No exception.

D – This is ok, but not as good as the real German Kolsch.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

02-13-2010 17:56:13 | More by ktrillionaire

HalfFull

California

3.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear deep straw from a 12 oz. bottle. Offers half an inch of white foam which settles to a thin cap in a few minutes. Not much is being released and looks a bit like a macro lager. Light lacing follows and the carbonation reduces through the pint, somewhat flat in the end.

Nose is light with a touch of citrus fruit. Improves slightly with some exposure, adding a small hop footprint.

Bit of chalky malt reveals itself on the tongue, slightly bitter and with a clean citrus finish. Relatively light in body and with a light carbonation giving a thin feel. Decent drinkability given the light body, moderate malt structure, yet rather boring overall.

Value: B

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

12-22-2009 03:50:43 | More by HalfFull

chumba526

Oregon

3/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A golden color plenty of carbonation.

Smell is sort of generic; it is slightly malty and doesn't have much to it though it does not smell like a potbelly pig in the summer.

The taste is light crisp and refreshing. Doesn't have much flavor though and there is a weaker than normal hop kick from the pilsner not bad though for 4 dollars a six pack.

It is quite drinkable and is smooth enough though the flavor of the malt gets old quickly: I could drink a few of these but probably wouldn't because it is kind of boring beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

11-08-2009 20:07:07 | More by chumba526

KrisPaulk77

Mississippi

3.33/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I have to say, "Meh..."
The beer poured a moderate yellow, with a rapid fading white head. Lacing was not even a consideration. You could possibly pass this off as a macro-lager by appearance alone in my opinion.
The smell had some malts to the front, a little sweetness present. Not bad by any stretch, but not anything spectacular either. There was a little grassy-ness in the nose that kind of said, "Yeah, we gots hops in here." I noticed a skunky aroma for a moment, but it faded. It was noticible in 3 of the 6 bottles in my six pack.
The taste was fairly middle of the road. Again, not bad, but not great. A little sweetness here and there, with a mild bitterness and some floral notes.
I would definately recommend this to my BMC drinking compadres. I see it as a pretty good gateway beer out of MacroLand. It's not a bad beer. The price on it was good, and thinking of it as a grass-cutter brew, I probably have it again.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

09-20-2009 06:32:30 | More by KrisPaulk77

GClarkage

California

2.75/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

09/09/09- Purchased at Trader Joe's in San Mateo, CA.

Presentation- 12oz bottle with no freshness info. Poured into a standard pint glass.

Appearance- Darker golden pour..very dark for a kolsch. Head is quick to form a 1/2 inch and quick to fade in an instant. No lacing involved.

Smell- Sweeter than expected. Some light malt and some citrus notes.

Taste- A touch of skunk way in the back. Think I got this one right as it's beginning to turn the corner. Light lemony notes with a lightly bready toasted malt backing.

Mouthfeel- Kinda dry in the finish with an average carbonation level.

Drinkability- Had to try now that my Tj's is selling single bottles rather than whole six packs. Not disappointed, but not impressed...just another beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

09-09-2009 19:03:46 | More by GClarkage

dqderrick

California

3.25/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received a 6pack as a thank you gift. I accept.

Pours very clear, golden with a 1/4" white head. Smells sweet, a little malty and very slight herbal. The smell seems a little off, but nothing to crazy to report. It definitely has a decent aroma. I think the off smell is reminding me of a chemical smell. But very slight.

It has a very refreshing dry finish. A little sweet up front. It is easy to drink but the flavor doesn't seem fully developed. I would definitely choose this over a BMC.

I do enjoy the carbonation and dry after taste. I find myself looking forward to the next sip. Overall, it has a decent drinkability but would probably pass on this if browsing the Trader Joes beer section unless I wanted to get a decent beer for some BRC drinking friends for a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-20-2009 06:09:17 | More by dqderrick

soupyman10

District of Columbia

3.43/5  rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a darker than normal copper color with a smallish head on top. Surprising amount of fruit in the nose, mixed along with the to-be-expected grain and malt. Not sure what fruit, exactly - maybe some apricot or citrus. Taste is similar - stronger than expected, although not really particularly good. Sort of a dirtiness that comes along with the too-strong carbonation. Overall, its not a terrible beer, but not one I'd go back to quickly.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-05-2009 22:16:25 | More by soupyman10

Murchmac

California

2.68/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this at a bbq the other day and was so excited to try this after all the trading hype this beer's been getting.

Looks like a cross between mountain dew and cream soda when it pours out. Very dark for a kolsch.

Smells not like much of anything at all.

Sweeter taste, malt if anything at all.

Too carbonated. Not good, but not horrible. I can't believe people traded a Firestone 10 for this one.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-03-2009 16:37:24 | More by Murchmac

callmescraps

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had some lying around.

Appearance - Light gold color. Very clear. Head disappears in moments. No lacing.

Smell - Sweet corn up front. Sort of funky. Pretty bland smelling.

Taste - Pretty mild grain. A little corn/adjunct sort of thing. Very light. Not a ton of anything. A little bread.

Mouthfeel - Good carbonation. Nice and light.

Drinkability - Goes down easy. But not interesting enough to be worth drinking much.

This is a pretty bland, inoffensive, but not terribly interesting beer. It's cheap, which is nice.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

08-01-2009 01:29:04 | More by callmescraps

plaid75

New York

3.03/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a medium straw hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a sweet grainy adjunct grain with a dull hop spice.

The taste consisted of corn, sweet malts and a drying hop.

The mouthfeel was a bit sticky.

Overall a plain ale with a predominantly macro feel.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-28-2009 02:35:35 | More by plaid75

zeff80

Missouri

3.6/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a clear, bubbly, pale gold color with a white, two-finger head of bubbly foam. It did not leave any lace but that's not uncommon for the style.

S - The aroma was uninspiring. It was mostly caramel and grain aromas. There were hints of floral notes, too.

T - Better than average flavor. It has a sweet caramel taste with a mild spiciness - hints of pepper and yeast.

M - This one is really sharp and crackles on the tongue. A light bodied, easy-drinking ale.

D - I scored the drinkability high because I could see myself grabbing it again and again on a summer day. It's light and tasty.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-07-2009 18:44:23 | More by zeff80

asabreed

New York

3.53/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Straw yellow, little carbonation, and a head that looks like it's going to stay, but the bright white dies down fairly quickly, leaving a quick amount of scant, spotty lacing for a minute before it's gone.

Smell: Honey, herbal lemon, tea leaves, a bit of metallic bitterness, some earthiness. Seemingly some adjunct sweetness in there too, and a bit of biscuit.

Taste: There's an odd, metallic, almost husky bitterness to this that's a bit odd, and doesn't seem like it's the hops doing their thing. That said, it's got some decent malt sweetness, though it mostly seems like diacetyl and adjunct, along with some herbal lemon and honey flavors. Finish doesn't last too long, though I don't think it's intended to.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and clean and refreshing, with nice full semi-creamy carbonation for such a light body.

Drinkability: All around above average for me, but nothing more. Could definitely have a few of these. Though it does lack a lot of flavor, maybe I've just never had a great version of the style, because I find many of them this way. A step above a BMC brew for a solid lawn-mowing beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

07-06-2009 17:28:22 | More by asabreed

himmelhuber

Arizona

3.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

OK, maybe I am a bit to harsh on this one, but I just came back from Germany where I also visited Köln, and I had a lot of Kölsch to drink there. In the past I was never overly impressed with Kölsch, but this time, oh boy, that stuff was good (Mostly Gaffel, Küppers and Früh). So bought some of this "Kölsch" from TJs to get a bit of vacation feeling back and I was quite dissapointed: Complete lack of fruitness, far to dominant hops, malty character there but a bit harsh.
OK, but I had far worst beers, its a good beer thats worth a try, just not what I expected.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose

06-25-2009 23:02:15 | More by himmelhuber