Captain's Kölsch - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

utopiajane

New York

3.86/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours hazy lemon yellow with champagne effervescence. Frothy white head that fell fast but left a thin ring and cap. Soapy wet lace. Nose is biscuit and cracker. Fabulous malt. A little hop breath of orange and citrus overall. Malt opens up with a touch of caramel. Taste is clean, crisp malt. Grain and plenty of cracker with just a hint of caramel sweetness. Hops whisper from the wings- earthy, floral and lightly fruity with some lemon. Mouthfeel is rich not sweet and perfectly delectable. Washes over the palate dry with just a bit of oil to make you smack your lips and want some more. Excellent kolsch. Simple and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 10:45:04 | More by utopiajane

MaltyMates

New York

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured clear with a small white head that dissipated quickly, all of which are common to this style. Light malty smell that mixed with a very light fruit undertone. Taste was good- a little malty for this style but still good. Overall a good beer for a summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 01:33:12 | More by MaltyMates

yankeepride

New Jersey

3.81/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a light, clear gold with a thick, foamy head. You can smell some wheat notes, but nothing thick. Everything about this screams "clean" and it pays off when you raise the glass to taste it. It's fairly light-bodied; maybe heavy for style, but to the world of craft beer it's fairly nimble. There is a bit of sweetness to it that really would pair amazingly well with classic German foods like a brat with sauerkraut. In fact, why the hell am I not eating that right now? Damnit.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 23:31:24 | More by yankeepride

farrago

New Jersey

3.56/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light and airy head of a bit over one finger, bone white, mainly small to medium sized bubbles, dissolves away swiftly to a patchy surface coating, no real lacing to speak of. Perfectly clear liquid, bright yellow, consistently hued throughout, loosely strewn bubbles of good fatness slowly bubble upwards. The nose is full of hard country bread crust, salted pretzels, quinine, minerals and cut grass but on the other hand, banana, bubblegum and sour orange to lemon citrus, honey, nothing floral nor broadly fruity about it, ends on a pepper and salt note. It’s medium-bodied with a creamy entry which slowly stiffens into a firmer presentation of bread, grains, corn muffins and biscuits and more of that mineral water, saline stuff. More floral and added peach, apricot fruit, the syrupy texture helps the sweetness persist. Maybe a pinch of cocoa. It’s satisfying more in a warm your belly way than refresh you after mowing the lawn way. As with many, seems like it wants to please too many disparate expectations and thus suffers from lack of clear purpose. But no problem throwing back a couple.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 00:19:31 | More by farrago

smakawhat

Maryland

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from the bottle into a stange glass. Much thanks to DaSolomon.

A super clear body, with very little carbonation, what is visible is quite small. Dark brass color. Head is quite soapy with very good retention and large soapy top. Real nice looking.

Nose has light grassy hop action, and some light sweet malts. A real nice toasty aroma and spicy quality also. A little bit of stinky yeast esters.

Palate is huge on the finish. A real solid toasty aroma on the finish of just crackling grain, mixing with a light body feel. Unfortunately it's missing a bit of mid palate oomph density. Hop action is quite crisp and light bitterness travels well through the palate. Subsequent sips don't seem to bring much else, and also numb the flavor also.

It's got some very impressive qualities for a Kolsch but the taste is fleeting and only on the finish. It doesn't really fill the mouth either unlike most great Kolsch's I've had. It's still a very solid easy drinking go to Kolsch for sure. But I wont be knocking down barriers to get at it.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 22:08:18 | More by smakawhat

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.81/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Been wanting to try this for a while now. This does strike me as a kölsch (which is an under-represented style in the US). It's a bit thicker than its German counterparts though. That's fine though. It still touches on the flavors that it should. Easy to drink. Though if I was going to "improve" it, I'd say thin out the flavors a bit.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 02:41:57 | More by RblWthACoz

EternalCask

Connecticut

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Date of tasting-3.29.2013
Beer:Captain's Kolsch
Brewery- Captain Lawrence; Elmsford, ny

Type-ale
Style-German style American kolsch

Appearance-wet straw colored, no chill haze. Like average American bottle fare. Very little lacing, minuscule head.

Smell- zest of orange... Maybe orange marmalade...

Taste- more orange zest.. The hops whisper elegantly from beginning to end. White grapefruit In finish. Bright.

Mouthfeel- too rich IMO... Symptomatic of the problem that afflicts many American renditions of wine, beer, Shakespeare.. Over production. This should jump.. it trudges.

Overall- second kolsch (sans rockdots) I've ever experienced. The first was reissdorf, and that had such an elegant mouthfeel. This felt clunky. Another instance of the devil lying in the context. Womp Womp.

Disclaimer- I love the liquid gold! No disrespect to captain Lawrence

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 02:09:37 | More by EternalCask

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle, no date.

appears a crystal clear yellow color. not much head at all. fizzy bubbles stream to the surface. aroma is a mix of pale malt and mild fruitiness. taste has a bit of sweet corn grainy flavor, and some earthy hop flavor that lingers. thinner body, higher carbonation. refreshing to drink.

overall - light body and flavor, but in a good way. would be a good summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 03:24:42 | More by jmdrpi

MadScientist

New York

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: A very pale golden with excellent clarity. A rocky white head with about a finger of foam with good head retention.

S: A low Pilsner malt aroma with a light, pear-like fruitiness along with a touch of citrus.

T: The flavor is light and subtle with a moderately-low Pils flavor but not sweetness and a very light fruitiness. A medium-low hops bitterness and little hops flavor. The balance is some what towards the bitter. The finish is dry and the aftertaste is of a quick hops bitterness.

M: A crisp light bodied beer with moderately-strong carbonation.

O: A crisp refreshing beer that'll quench your thirst on hot day while bring more flavor that light lager. I'd enjoy this liberally at a summer cookout or with a hotdog at a ball game myself. Definitely a hybrid with one foot in the Lager category and the other in the Ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 23:46:41 | More by MadScientist

riversider76

New York

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear light golden with a thin white head. Some retention, and a good lace. Aroma is of grainy malts, and grassy hops. Body is light and crisp with some carbonation. Taste is sweet and honey like with a hint of hops in the finish. Very nice version of this style.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:54:22 | More by riversider76

lovindahops

New York

4.35/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thank you scott vacarro for choosing syracuse as a distribution spot for the Captain! We are all thankful that we can enjoy a NY brewery that puts out arguably some of the best brews out there

A- captain's kolsch pours a dark gold body with massive frothy head of white foam the coates the top of the brew like a muffin top. Glowing bright as carbonation races to the top

S- A sweet grain and biscuity scent that has grassy and floral characteristics sums this up. Very pilsner like but very mouth watering as the sweet grainy scent reaches through the nostrils. Hands done, this is on refreshing scent

T- A sweet honey flavored bready flavor with traces of grass and fresh flavors. Ridiculously refreshing and full of flavor, yet so light. This is how a kolsch should taste. I need to mention I don't remember the last time a kolsch tasted this sweet and crisp at the same time

M- crisp, flavorful, carbonated right, spot on with a refreshing feel

O- what a home run of an everyday beer. This is the best kolsch I have ever had. This might be my new lawn mower beer for the summertime. But wow this could become a simple go to beer when I'm at the store. Keep it coming vacarro!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 16:00:17 | More by lovindahops

mjtiernan

New York

3.81/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle poured into a nonic pint

A: Blonde (ok, yellow) crystal clear body with a bone-white head. Good amount of head settling to a thin covering cap of foam.

S: Delicate grassy hops, biscuit and grain. A touch of white pepper spiciness in there too.

T: Flavor is even lighter than the aroma. Watery up front with light bready malt in the middle and finishing with the grassy hops and grain.

M: Super drinkability. Light body, watery texture, soft carbonation. Finishes on the dry slightly chalky side.

O: I’d be hard pressed to find a beer easier to drink than this. Pleasant and refreshing. I will be re-visiting this during the summer.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:46:22 | More by mjtiernan

beagle826

New York

3.49/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Super carbonated, big pillowy head

S: Sweet lemony aroma, faint hoppy citrus aroma mixed in. A bit of a stale smell mixed in

T: Overall solid and refreshing, finish is a bit bland.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 01:53:43 | More by beagle826

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: high carbonation, 1 inch head, bright gold in color, clear

Smell: grass and grain

Taste: grass, grain, and citrus hops at the end

Mouthfeel: sweet with a dash of bitterness at the end, high carbonation, light body

Overall: Super clean..excellent hoppy finish...perhaps my second favorite Kolsch only behind New Holland's. This is one I could drink all day.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 15:09:02 | More by tigg924

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First Captain Lawrence beer for me.

Light yellow color and a decent little top of white head.

Bright lemony aroma with an almost muffin-y pale malt backbone in the nose. Quaint whiffs of tropical fruit, probably from some noticeable hopping.

Lemony and grassy dry with some floral qualities and German malts. Crisp and dry. Super-clean and refreshing. A little bit minty and a little bit herbal in the finish. Excellent summer ale.

Burpy carbonation, but the body works it in a velvety medium. Good feel.

Easily a Top 3 Kolsch in my book. Great intro to Captain Lawrence.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 15:17:02 | More by thecheapies

ehammond1

California

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, cosmicevan!

Clear dark straw and yellow in color with a moderately-sized bone-white head that is somewhat persistent, especially for the style, eventually leaving messy bubbles of lace down the glass.

Simple, bready aroma, along with a mild earthy hop character, along with more biscuit and mild vegetable notes. There's really not a lot here, but what's here is nice enough.

Clean, crisp, refreshing flavor: bread and toasted biscuit, mild floral hop presence, and moderate bitterness. Very drinkable.

Medium bodied with moderate-high carbonation; disappearing. Very drinkable.

A very tasty kolsch that went very well with dinner.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 03:06:30 | More by ehammond1

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. Near clear, ginger ale colored gold beer with a finger of fizzy head that settles down quickly to a bubbly band on top. A bit of sudsy lacing that slips down the sides of the glass. Bready Pilsener malt aroma, almost crackery, with a nice dose of floral hoppiness.

Taste follows nose; well-balanced between all elements; quite dry, with a medium bitterness that lingers a bit in the aftertaste and has a vaguely aspirin-like quality. Otherwise the hops have floral and subtly fruity characteristics. A very light honey sweetness barely pokes itself through but dries up completely in the finish.

Medium-light bodied; nice carbonation; excellent crispness and refreshing qualities. A strong, traditional take on the Kolsch style.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 23:15:02 | More by tobelerone

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.68/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Captain Lawrence, Elmsford, NY

It's a Kolsch. Not really my bag. Light straw-yellow pour, clear, with a thin bubbly head; no real retention or lacing to speak of. Aroma is grainy, scents of pale malts and light hops. Kolschy. Mass-appealing. Light taste, corn, grains, slightly toasty, pils malts, baking yeast (?), grassy hops. Kolschy. Thin body with a bitter aftertaste. Light beers like this just aren't my thing. Once in a while I find one that is pretty good, but this really wasn't too memorable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 23:26:36 | More by Rifugium

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Kolsch style doesn't demand much, yet it is rarely done well. CL manages to hit the mark. Clear gold with a pure white head. Light grainy, balanced cereal flavor with a clean lemon thyme hop note. Lightly yeasty flavor like the aroma of sourdough starter. Clean and dry. It won't hold your interest, but it's a nice beer to start the night with.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 17:23:27 | More by bump8628

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a clean straw yellow pour with 2 fingers foamy white head, nice retention.
smells of yeast up front, honey/sweet caramel, lemon, coriander.
taste is very sweet up front with some nice spices very reminiscent of a pie. slightly fruity/citrusy, has a peppery taste in the back. very tasty for the style!
light body, dry finish, nicely carbonated.

i used to refuse drinking kolsch style beers, but this is definitely an eye opener that the style has its ups apparently!

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 22:22:55 | More by facundoCNB

claspada

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a slightly hazy straw color with a wispy white head that quickly settles into a light ring of foam.

The aromas are quite subtle but begin with light citrus (lime) and earthy noble hop scent. Spicy, doughy, Belgian yeast emerges more and more as it warms.

The tastes begin with crisp pilsner maltiness and a light fruity and noble hop flavor combination. As it warms you get a touch of honey sweetness and the same emerging Belgian yeast esters that were present in the aroma.

The mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is crisp and clean.

Overall I am not a big fan of this Kolsch. Like many other of CL Belgian/European style offerings, there yeast strain is extraordinarily phenolic and dominant and makes the beer unbalanced and just tastes generically Belgian and yeasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 17:25:39 | More by claspada

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Twelve ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours clear golden color with 1/4 inch fluffy white foam. Citrussy beer smell. Full bodied, yet clean, walls of citrus throughout. Leaves a light bitter finish. There is a ligh sweetness behind the opening tart/lemon rind. Nice light summr kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 19:14:25 | More by KTCamm

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Pilsner glass. Had this at Horsefeathers in Tarrytown, NY.

Appearance: golden hue with a light haze and a moderate effervescence. Head poured a finger of creamy white foam. Nice.

Smell: fruity, sweet aroma. A bit on the mild side, but decent.

Taste: floral and lightly fruity right off the bat. A bit sweet, but I really like it.

Mouthfeel: light body with a good carbonation yielding a surprising creaminess. Good stuff.

Overall: a non-traditional but tasty and refreshing Kölsch. I'll definitely have this again, given the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 20:31:20 | More by flagmantho

alexgash

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Clear, clean, golden lemon yellow body. Small, bubbly, eggshell white head with some spidery lacing. Bready, apple malt sweetness underneath a spicy, peppery, herbal hops. Very nice.

Toasted bread malts up front. Peppery, spicy hop bitterness comes on soon enough though. Bready malt becomes sweeter, with notes of apple and honey. Hints of coriander and maybe citrus (lemongrass?). Herbal, peppery hops take it to the finish, which is oh so dry and refreshing. Lingering sea air hops and peppercorns. Moderate body, with a lively, refreshing feel. A great summer quencher and a nice hoppy twist on an under-appreciated style.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 21:02:41 | More by alexgash

Pahn

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into Duvel tulip. No freshness information, but the Captain's Kolsch hasn't been available in my area for very long.

Appearance: Free pour yields a one inch fluffy white head that, like the beer, leaves no lacing. Crystal clear pale yellow.

Smell: Mild citrus, with some musty grape and apple. Very lightly floral. Interesting overall aroma.

Taste: Very bready up front, with some sweetness and slight fruitiness coming in before the very dry finish. Crisp and refreshing. There's a sweet, creamy pastry flavor way in the background that underlies the mild but succulent fruit and fruity candy flavors (grape, citrus, mild berry, slightly floral).

Lots going on, but all of it very subtle, which contrasts with the bold feel (sharp bitterness and carbonation, very dry). I like it.

Mouthfeel: Between light and medium bodied. Sharp carbonation, harsh but not over the top bitterness. Very dry finish. Very lively feel, making every sip "pop." I could see being able to drink a lot of this based just on the mouthfeel alone.

Overall: Par for the course with Captain Lawrence: lots of flavor, really well balanced. Awesome hot weather beer as well.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 23:37:27 | More by Pahn