Kölsch - Heiner Brau

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- I'm very much reminded of a hefeweizen beer when looking at the coloration, that being of a yeast hazed grassy/golden. There seems to be plenty of carbonation and the head is very white in color, and not super thick at any point....it eventually settles down to a finely tuned layer covering the beer. The lacing is quite good, as it completely blankets the side of my glass, and settles into a small-medium patchwork of foam. Overall this is a decent looking brew!

S- The aromas are primarily of soft sweet malt, biscuits and fresh yeasty bread. It is quite pleasant in the nose cavity and has the warmth of an ale, that is balanced by some clean crispness right at the finish, due to some mild hoppiness.

T- The flavors are, in my opinion, quite different than the aromas let on. Gone is the dominant sweetness, and is replaced with more of an Earthy floral/herbal character. The finish, while not overpowering, shows more hop power, along with a crisp, yet mild citrus hint. Nicely balanced!

M- The carbonation continues the trend of helping along the crisp, clean nature of the beer. The body is a lite-medium, thanks to the unfiltered yeast suspended within the liquid. It does leave my palate dry after the swallow as well.

O- I feel this is a well balanced, unique beer! I really could get into this one and think it would make a wonderful session brew! I'd also like to think it would go well with poultry dishes or a cream pasta meal. Another quality beer by this brewery....I've been impressed with Heiner Brau thus far and look forward to trying out more of their selection!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 23:45:11 | More by ChrisCage

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Got this bottle as an extra in an excellent trade with Faucd531 - thanks man!

served in a pils glass.

Very pale golden yellow color with a foamy/sudsy white head of 2 bubbly fingers. Slight haze to the body and a few little yeast chunks seem to be swirling around in here. Very nice retention and impressive lacing.

Smells of some light grainy malts that seem to hold just a touch of sweetness. Very little hop presence, and the hops that are there are mainly grassy and floral. Dry refreshing finish is crisp and clean and holds only the slightest touch of bitterness.

This is overcarbonated and feels thin as a result.

Overall-- not a bad kolsch. Nothing to write home about, but tasty enough that I could see drinking this on a hot summer day. This would be pretty refreshing-- so in that aspect, the brewer succeeded.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 02:08:48 | More by AleWatcher

acevenom

Louisiana

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy light golden color with a white head. It has a sweet, grainy smell. The flavor is a pleasant sweetness as well as a cracker flavor from the malts. It is well carbonated and leaves plenty of lacing. It has a nice light mouthfeel. Overall, this is a solid, drinkable beer despite not being typical for the kolsch style.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:33:08 | More by acevenom

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle tried 21 Oct 2011. Served in the Austin Beerworks pilsner glass.

Large beige fluffy head. Well carbonated. Very pale yellow in color, faint haze. Mineral, light grain and a touch of sweetness in the aroma. Starts sweet with some light malts. Stays that way mostly. A little lemon and mineral. Light body, mild ethanol.

Sounds odd but it leaves a dusty feel/taste in the mouth.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 04:22:38 | More by htomsirveaux

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

2.75/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Another from optimator13, thanks again! Poured into pilsener glass, no dating...

A- Wow, this pours more colorless than the Crispin cider I had last night. Very pale straw color with a slight haze. Large foamy, light, head rose and flowed over the rim. Decent lacing.

S- Has a pronounced wheat and lemongrass aroma. Floral and crisp with a dash of butter hiding. Perhaps a rosemary aspect as well? Different, not sure how I feel; in a good way though, I think...

T/M- Much sweeter than nose would prepare you for, as some caramel and candy corn show on the palate. Cracker malt with a buttery flavor, kinda like a light Ritz. Not very clean, has some spicy phenols on the finish. Body is right- light, lively carbonation, not cloying or excessively dry.

O- Better than the festbier I had from this brewery, but still I'm not fully impressed. Profile should be cleaner for a Kolsch. Light and drinkable, but thats about the only propose this one serves...

Serving type: can

12-06-2011 16:07:37 | More by TheGordianKnot

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Obtained this in a trade with ZBellino, thanks!

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a stemmed pilsner glass. Pours a slightly hazy washed out pale yellow, with a minimal white head that quickly dissapears. The haziness is likely due to the fact it is unfiltered. Moderate carbonation keeps the bubbles flowing up to the surface.

Has a dry grass smell with a hint of lemon. The aroma reminds me of the smell of an attic that's been shut up all year long, and is just being opened up on a warm fall day.

Starts tart and lemony, becoming maltier as the tart fades away, The taste rolls off toward the end of the sip, with just a slight tacky aftertaste. Little to no hops are present.

Light bodied, with a creamier middle than other Kolsch's I've had. While there's a sharp start, it is much tarter than I'd expect. Also, the ending feel is softer than I've had in other beers this style.

Despite the fact that this is not very Kolsch-like in my opinion, I still find it to be an easy drinking beer. More lemony that I like my beers, this isn't one I'd follow with another, necessarily, but I could see it being a starter beer for the evening before moving on to something of more substance.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:45:23 | More by TheHoppiest

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

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

Pour - light golden to straw like in color. A good half-inch of white foam lays on top of this pour. Clean and clear and looking refreshing.

Aroma - grainy, wet cereal, malty with some lemons. The more I stick my nose in this the more I smell some hints of pepper and spice.

Taste - crisp, malty and refreshing. Something about this style that makes it seem simple but I'm pretty certain that it's a style that takes a lot of skill to do right. This one has just the right amount of malt sweetness followed by a nice snap of a finish - one that has you continuously diving back in. It's not an overly complex style but it's one that doesn't hide mistakes. When it's brewed well you'll know and this one is brewed well.

Overall - I can't help but think that Kölsch is the style that should have been emulated by today's macrobrewers. Light, refreshing with actual malt flavor. Not a whole lot of hop profile but some citrus notes and altogether very satisfying.

Serving type: can

11-05-2011 02:38:58 | More by indiapaleale

eclipse54

Idaho

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

A 12 ounce can I received from optimator13; thank you! I'd never heard of Heiner Brau before receiving this one, and trying new breweries is always a treat. Poured into a Sweetwater IPA pint glass.

It pours a vibrant straw-colored body with plenty of lustrous yellow hues. About an inch (perhaps slightly more) of bubbly, frothy, pure-white head develops and slowly dissipates to a thin layer of bubbles. The aroma is of apple, pear, a bit of yeast-like funk, wheat, grain, straw, freshly cut grass, and a touch of malt. It tastes quite similar, beginning with some of the apple and grain flavors. There is a lot of wheat right up front, but the pear and other grains take over in the middle. A crisp hop sensation ends the drink. The malt is barely noticeable, but it lends to a crisp, light, mouthfeel that bounces off the tongue nicely. Finishes a bit on the dry side. Overall, a good Kolsch that I enjoyed.

Serving type: can

10-23-2011 22:50:58 | More by eclipse54

megahurts4

Louisiana

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Heiner Brau Kolsch

Appearance: golden, medium-small head, and some lacing.

Smell: apples, grains, and subtle malts.

Taste: grains, apples, and a nice maltiness.

Mouthfeel: light.

Overall:
It's a nice refreshing brew. It has got a good grain flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 18:03:59 | More by megahurts4

flexabull

California

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasted blind courtesy of pitasoup, thanks again!

Pours a bright and clear gold/yellow color with a decent white head.

Smells dusty, kind of creamy and sweet, a bit floral and doughy too. Smells interesting.

While there was a decent nose, there is barely any flavors. Nothing offense, and nothing good either. Light creamy malts, maybe a touch bready, and a crisp barely mineral hoppiness on the finish.

Mouthfeel is not bad, pretty full, and well carbonated.

Overall, this is kind of devoid of flavors, but it's not bad, and It certainly is refreshing and thirst quenching.

Serving type: can

06-09-2011 03:53:23 | More by flexabull

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Heiner Brau Kolsch has a thick, slightly off-white head and a hazy yellow-golden appearance, with some bubbles streaming up. The aroma is mild, with yeast, bread, and a slight fruit aspect. Taste is likewise on the mild side, and has an overriding maltiness, yet with enough hop presence to keep it from being dull. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and the finish is crisp and semi-dry. Drinkability is quite high with this one. I really enjoyed it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 01:16:18 | More by RonaldTheriot

BestOfBatonRouge

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoy this beer especially during the early Spring and Summer. Pours a nice bright golden with lots of carbonation so it has a nice inch of foam that lasts a couple of minutes. First impressions are it's very clean and light with a lot of grass, very slight sweetness and nice bitter. After a few sips it settles in to an easy drinker. Perfect for BBQ or just sitting on the patio staying cool.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 19:31:39 | More by BestOfBatonRouge

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Appearance: high carbonation, one inch head, gold in color, hazy

Smell: toasted malt and grass

Taste: lemon, grass, and toasted malt

Mouthfeel: sweet with a light bitter undertone, high carbonation, light body

Overall: A sessionable above average kolsch. Above average, but not a standout. Nothing I would ever turn away.

Serving type: can

04-18-2011 13:17:03 | More by tigg924

CampusCrew

Florida

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: golden with low head retention

smell: sublte hop aroma,

taste: light and refreshing, no off flavors

mouthfeel: light bodied

drinkability: nice kolsh stylre beer. great bee rto pair with certain light meals and this beer did no wrong for its category

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 18:45:08 | More by CampusCrew

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks goes out to woodychandler for providing this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a rich golden color with no head at all. Smell is of grains, some malts. Taste is crisp and refreshing, biscuits, grains, malts, very drinkable. Feels light in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: can

04-02-2011 13:13:48 | More by tone77

cpolking

Iowa

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

The beer pours honey golden in color and somewhat cloudy. The aroma is fresh grain, tall grass, a bit fruity. The taste is grain, french bread, a slight sweetness and fruitiness, and a crisp, grassy finish. It is well carbonated and refreshing. This is a really enjoyable beer and it would make a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 01:11:37 | More by cpolking

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

The CANQuest (TM) leaves the Kvass Kick behind for a much-needed hiatus to drink some CANned BEER, man! Optimator13 has been steadily hooking me up with beers and I want to get some reviews in before I forget what I was supposed to be doing.

From the CAN: "Welcome to the 'Heiner Brau', the first Microbrewery and Walk In Museum in the heart of Covington, Louisiana. Owner and Brewmaster Henryk "Heiner" Orlik is a German Brewmaster. Henryk focuses on quality and he is truly dedicated to his craftsmanship. When you put it all together you will have one outstanding beer. Heiner Brau brews and ferments strictly to the German Purity Law of 1516 (Rheinheitsgebot). That means no heat pasteurization, no adjuncts, no artificial carbonation, or other additives used in the process to enhance beer ... Just simple malted barley, hops, yeast, water & the experience of a German Master Brewer."

Holy natural carbonation, Batman! The Crack left me scrambling to start the Glug as I had foam coming out of the opening like nobody's business. This resulted in a thick, foamy, bone-white cap of head like JacktheRipper's avatar. Zounds! Color was a hazy lemon-yellow. Nose was very biscuit-y, bread-y, slightly yeasty. My mouth began to water in anticipation. Mouthfeel was slightly thin with a lovely dryness on the tongue, very little residual sugar and a definite breadiness in its taste. Finish was very dry with a biscuitiness that was extremely pleasant, even on a chilly day like this one. I would not hesitate to put this in my cooler and especially on a hot day headed to the beach or to push the lawnmower around.

Serving type: can

03-24-2011 23:12:43 | More by woodychandler

tetu

Louisiana

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of the bottle golden yellow with some murkiness and carbonation to it. Not much of a head, lots of large air bubbles rising fast to the top that never really form together.

Smell was of yeast and grains

Taste was a honey lemon/orange citrus taste, and wheat.

Mouthfeel was very carbonated at the start with some dry lemon tartness.

Refreshing and Enjoyable. This bottle went down smooth after some yard work.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 23:07:19 | More by tetu

ChadQuest

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -27.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

massive sticky bone white head over a light golden crystal clear body. Earthy hops on the nose. Aroma is just dry musty earth.
The one flavor that i find in here the most is corn tortilla chips, i think that gives the best description along with the earthyness noted.. Mouthfeel isn't as dry as i assumed it would be, but has a medium body and moderate but then then expected carbination.

Serving type: can

03-12-2011 01:38:55 | More by ChadQuest

Beerbuddha

Louisiana

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

Appearance: Clear pale golden color with a nice fluffy white head which dissipates quickly. Nice, sticky lacing present throughout.

Smell: Nice dry, hoppy perfume aroma.

Taste: Starts off with a nice malty sweetness and finishes with a mild grassy hop bitterness. Has a nice dryness about it.

Mouthfeel: Dry, medium body with medium carbonation.

Overall: Great beer. I'm glad Jay Breaux from Breaux Mart emailed me about this. He asked Henryk to can this beer for him and he did. Granted Breaux Mart had to take the entire amount but who cares. This is perfect for Mardi Gras!

Serving type: can

01-11-2011 17:46:36 | More by Beerbuddha

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Look - Straw-like in color. About a finger and a half's worth of egg-white colored foam that dissipates slowly.

Smell - Somewhat dry, hoppy smell. Much like a German Pilsener. Hops used are probably a mix of locals and nobels, but I can't tell which.

Taste - Sweet taste in general throughout the tasting. Now I definitely think that nobel hops were used, therefore lighter in bitterness. Texture is velvety, but in a cool, smooth way.

Drinkability - It has an odd smell at first, but the taste is quite interesting, and from what I can tell, fairly true to the definition of the style. Nice brew!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 04:35:54 | More by Nerudamann

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle courtesy of injuredreserve. Served in my SA Perfect Pint. Pours a hazy, pale yellow with a loose, quarter inch bright white head. Head eventually settles into a consistent skim with a fairly tight band around the shoulders of the glass. Nose is consistent with what I expect from a kolsch - bready yeast and lemon zest. Taste expresses some light, fruity esters, perhaps pear, followed by a slightly more subdued bready/yeasty quality towards the middle and a very light citrus acidity towards the back. Mouthfeel is light with a carbonation level that falls between mild and lively. Perhaps not as clean as a traditional German Kolsch; however, this beer is really quite pleasant and drinkable. A really solid domestic version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 01:16:14 | More by Jwale73

Mora2000

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to Exiled for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a very clear light yellow with a white head. The aroma is grapes, corn and biscuits. The flavor is corn, wheat and florally hops. I also get some steamed vegetables in the flavor. Thin mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 04:22:55 | More by Mora2000

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.2/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours into a pint glass a very pale yellow with a slight haze. Large-bubbled pure white head forms and quickly dies down to a small cap.

Fruity smells such as apples and pears, as well as a good maltiness. come to mind through the nose.

Slightly tart green apple like taste with lots of malt flavor and just a little hoppy bite. Very crisp and clean. Tons of carbonation in a body on the thin side of medium.

An easy-drinking beer which would be amazing on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 00:05:10 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

jovy1097

Louisiana

3.6/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a nonic pint.

Appearance: Pours straw-colored and translucent with lots of carbonation bubbles coming from the bottom and leaving a frothy, white head. The head diminishes down to a ring around the glass. There is no lacing.

Smell: Grassy, earthy hops and slightly skunky. I wonder if mine was a little old to have the slight skunk smell.

Taste: Very malt-forward taste that is surprisingly sweet up front. I was expecting a very pilsner-like flavor, but was shocked by the difference. Leaves a little vanilla in the aftertaste that is pleasant.

Mouthfeel: Creamy carbonation that has an almost thick feeling. A little milkshake substance to it.

Drinkability: Very likable brew that I definitly could drink more of.

Comments: My first ever kolsch and I was impressed. The smell was a little off-putting, but the taste is wonderful. Not at the top of my list, but a nice change of pace beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 04:22:58 | More by jovy1097