HooDoo Kölsch Style Ale - Uinta Brewing Company

busternuggz

Arizona

2.81/5  rDev -19%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Center poured into a pilsner glass from a 12 oz. bottle. Best before date of 5-22-13.

Very clear straw/golden color with a bubbly, foamy head.

The aroma is mostly earthy, kind of musty? There's a bit of grass and a little caramel/light toffee scent. Not bad but kind of odd...

The taste is much more what I expect from a kolsch. Grassy and floral with a little lemon. Comes on with some grainy malt sweetness, ends with a nice bitter grassiness. But, those odd toffee and earthy/musty note comes out in the end too, and it comes out more as it warms and becomes distracting. Tastes oxidized, maybe some other kind of off influence.

Nothing particularly wrong with the texture, but it's a bit heavy for a kolsch and could use more carbonation.

I feel like there's a good kolsch to be had here but this particular bottle at least had some off flavors going on. I'll update if I try a better one in the future.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 22:40:28 | More by busternuggz

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.66/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle - $1.49 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Best Before: 07/21/13.

Appearance: Pours a clear, light yellow body with a tall, proud, white head. Drips and blurbs of lacing on the way down.

Smell: Easy-going malts, a little sun-dried hay, a touch of crustless white loaf bread. Fruity-scented accents smelling of apple and sweet white grapes. Thin sliver of hoppiness.

Taste: Soft maltiness, though, with a skosh more cereal sweetness than expected. A touch of sulphury apple lands early, a few drips of white wine. Lightly herbal hops, lightly bitter. Sweetish, fruityish finish with a good mouth of suds.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Overall: Refreshing, easy-drinking. Solid enough for an American-born Kölsch.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 01:21:05 | More by ChainGangGuy

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.21/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

This beer from served from the bottle, thanks to StonedTrippin. It poured a cleanly yellowed straw coloring, holding a fizzy one and a half finger tall head. This retained decently, leaving wet spots of white lacing dripping down the sides of the glass. Carbonation appeared active, and no haze or sediment was noted. The aroma was simple, with pale and pilsner malts, white chalk, floury adjuncts, crisp grassiness, metallics, and yeast that approached the soured side of life. Our first impression was that this was an easily sippable beer, without too much bitterness of malt. As we sipped, the flavoring opened with that bittering malt bill, giving solid pales, big metallics, and dried, mildly puckered wheatiness. The sip came to a watery peak, with mineral and soft lactic bite washing the meat of the grains away. This easiness pulled us to the finish, where the grains returned, but with less bite and robustness. They were met by flashes of white sugar, light booziness, and faint spice of phenol air. The aftertaste breathed of chalk, faintly soured grassiness, tin, flour, and corny adjuncts. The body was light, and the carbonation was medium, but packed a good prickle. The mouth was left creamy and coated with those active bubbles, following decent slurp and smack, but less froth. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank decently.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was its ease of drinkability. While the aroma and flavoring were rather simple and clean, with warmth the bitterness mixed oddly with the watered-through middle, causing the ultimate blend of flavors to become muddled and unattractive. If kept towards a colder temperature this beer can be your typical “drink from the bottle on a hot Summer’s day” type of beer, but otherwise there are more refined and flavorful beers for the style, and from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 17:00:09 | More by TheBrewo

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I had this on tap at T Brendan O'Reilly's and it was served in a pint glass. Before I knew it I had drank 75% of it and wasn't really taking notes, so here is my take on it summarized: A good Kölsch, solid, drinkable and not sweet with balance of malt and yeast with a pleasant finish and gentle toast from the malt in the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 19:57:59 | More by Slatetank

kojevergas

California

3/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at a local SoCal bottle shop and served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are fairly high; I like Uinta and I love a good Kolsch. Best before 03/05/13. I don't see an ABV listed. Clearly labelled a Kolsch.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Paired with salted pretzel twists.

A: Pours a two finger white colour head - fairly thin - without any real cream. Retention is above average (~3 minutes). Body colour is a clear pale yellow-copper. Translucent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Pretty typical for the style; there's nothing unique or special here. Standard fare.

Sm: Fragrant crystal malt, buttery notes, pale malts, perfumey preservative hops, bready notes, light grape, and dry grains. A mild strength aroma. Typical of a kolsch, but surprisingly unrefreshing. No yeast or alcohol is detectable.

T: Dry crystal malt body redolent of pear. Light white grape. Dry pale malts. Clean and simple. Not quite refreshing, but close. No yeast or alcohol comes through. It's balanced, if simple. I do like it. Rather neutral in flavour. Lacks complexity and subtlety.

Mf: Crisp, with near perfect dryness. Smooth. Decent palate presence. Good carbonation. It's typical of the style but doesn't feel custom-tailored to the flavour profile.

Dr: Drinkable and enjoyable. It's not bad for a Kolsch, but I'm far from impressed. Hides its ABV well. I expected better from Uinta. This doesn't scratch my Kolsch itch. Leaves a lot to be desired. I'd try it on draught. Few will have any trouble quaffing this one. Decently priced for what it is.

High C

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 05:38:02 | More by kojevergas

Profchaos20

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle poured into snifter, best by 2/8/13.

A - Pours light gold with a one finger head that dissipates quickly. Leaves some lacing down the glass.

S - Not a lot in the nose. Light malt aroma is the most prevalent. Bread, a hint of herbal and earthy hops, slight spicyness.

T - Same as the smell, not a ton going on here. Slightly sweet malt upfront, bready, finishes slightly sweet.

M - Light body, medium carbonation. Smooth, very easy to drink.

O - I enjoy subtlely flavored beers but this one is a little too subtle for me. Pretty average across the board. Maybe I'll have to revisit it again sometime to see if I missed something.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 03:39:41 | More by Profchaos20

horshack7

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours quite a golden color with a white foamy head.

Aroma: Lemon zest, grassy, light citrus hop, golden rasins slight amount of biscuty notes towards the back.

Taste: Very crisp in the front with notes of lemon zest, tart fruit, raisins a little bit of a butery texture and good biscuit notes.

Notes: Not a bad beer at all it's rather good not over powering and it has a good dry finish also very drinkable. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:29:46 | More by horshack7

tdm168

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - orangish copper with a thick cap of foamy, pure white head that has great retention

S - bread, lemon, grass, maybe some faint caramel

T - bread, lemon, caramel, grass, noble hops characteristics

M - crisp, medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a nice, refreshing, clean beer. It's rather malty which is its only (slight) set back. The hops are there and it is close to balanced. It's highly drinkable and definitely sessionable. It's another offering from Uinta that's worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 01:35:56 | More by tdm168

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.73/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into an Olde Hickory glass on 9/19/12

Bottled on 06/11/12

Sun-faded golden yellow color. Rather clear. Pours a one thumb cap of fluffy white foam. Thin retention with some scattered lace.

The aroma finds notes of toasted grains, grass and floral hops, buttered bread, biscuit dust and a hint of dough. Fairly clean overall and tilted in favor of the grains. The taste is similar in terms of grain, though the hops are dulled and have something of a metallic twinge on the finish. Perhaps it because it's three months old. The feel is light and somewhat thin, staring off smooth with soft, rolling carbonation moving in mid-body.

Not a bad little beer, but the aroma is the high point. If I ever come across a fresher bottle, I'll revisit.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 08:42:42 | More by Ryan011235

Offa

California

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a very good, solid kolsch.

Deep gold, it has a medium-big off-white head slowly shrinking to thin foamy ring, a little bit of lace.

Aroma is nice bright grain, flowery herbs (gentle), a firm, nice kolsch.

Taste is nice, full fruity grain, apple, hint of faint herb and flowers, with a mostly grassy bitterness, which is light and balances the light sweetness. Overall, it's fairly dry, very minerally, crisp.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 23:18:10 | More by Offa

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Beer #28 in my great Utah Brew Hunt.

This is a kolsch? Really? Way too far into ale territory, in my opinion. Body is quite thick, profile is quite intense, for the style. Too leafy, too earthy, and not filtered enough, I want to say. As a beer, sure it works. But this tastes like generic homebrew to me as opposed to something refined, as a kolsch should be.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 05:01:48 | More by RblWthACoz

Jsteez

New Mexico

3.88/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an American pint glass.

A-Golden yellow medium carbonation in the glass. Nice thick bubbly head with thick and soapy lacy sides. Excellent!

S- A little sweet malty smell and a little fruity. Overall the smells are not too noticeable.

T-Refreshing and on the sweet malty side. I sensed a touch of lemon peel and some dry bread. A little flat and watery because of the strange utah Abv laws, but Uinta still managed to pull this one off. The aftertaste was slightly bitter, with a slight buttery feel.

M-Wet and refreshing. Doesn't stick around in the mouth for too long. Nice end of summer brew.

Overall, this is a refreshing beer and I will buy it again. Utah is strange about its liqour laws so it hinders what a REAL beer should taste like. Not the best kolsch I've had because of the strange flavor combos.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 05:09:47 | More by Jsteez

CHickman

New York

3.98/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasting notes from 7/10/2012; pours hazy gold color with a 1 finger creamy white head that was full of bubbles, faded and left a creamy layer around the edge.

Smells of sweet malt, grains, husk, light caramel, grass, yeast and floral hops; a soft sweet nose that's got a grainy finish and is very basic.

Tastes of sweet malt, grains, husk, lemon zest, light caramel, grass, yeast, wheat and floral hops; very earthy, with a slight hop bitterness and lots of grains that have enough sweetness to balance the earthy notes.

Mouthfeel is light, crisp and very refreshing, with a light to medium body, a slick feel on the tongue and an overall malty sweetness that slides down easy.

A tasty session beer with a low ABV that's easy to drink and perfect for pounding or a hot day. Sweet and malty for the Kolsch style, which I found very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 04:02:13 | More by CHickman

bennetj17

Arizona

3.4/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bright, golden-yellow appearance, thin head, looks a bit hazy throughout. Aroma has a grainy, crackery bite, with faint notes of citrus.

The taste has a mostly clean, biscuity malt flavor. Touches of dry bitterness at the back, hop balance is pretty non-existent. Alcohol is not discernable. The mouthfeel is a bit thin but has a zesty carbonation to compensate.

Overall a decent hot weather brew, but it doesn't distinguish itself well enough for the style. For all I would know this could be some sort of pale lager. Despite it not being a great Kolsch, it's still doable.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 05:05:12 | More by bennetj17

jtmartino

California

2.05/5  rDev -40.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had this on tap at Grape and Grain in San Mateo, CA.

The only thing I can say about this beer is DME. Dried Malt Extract. There is an overwhelming smell of malt/malt extract wafting from this beer. At first I thought it was just a bready character, but then as the beer warmed it it really showed its true colors. It literally smelled like hot wort during the boil when I used to make partial mash beer on my stove.

I'm not sure if the beer is extract brewed or not, but I can't get that taste or smell out of my head. Not the worst beer I've had, but I will not be reaching for this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 19:12:49 | More by jtmartino

bubseymour

Maryland

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - yellow clear with 1/2 finger head. Decent retention with lots of carbonation

S - lots and lots of sweet malt scents

T - very well crafted and balanced. Lots of malt and slight crispness in finish. Very sessionable.

M - very full bodied and creamy for this usually watery style

O = one of the better crafted Kolsch style beers I've had. Extremely sessionable, flavorful and great for summer drinking.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 00:34:32 | More by bubseymour

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ok, so not quite a great kolsch, but pretty good and easy drinking.

Light and biscuity, with a touch of grain huskiness. It does maintain a steady body throughout and a tight crispness on the end. this is a nice session beer that doulbes as a good summer ale

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 20:37:36 | More by Mebuzzard

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a rough white head that fades quickly leaving little chunks of lacing.

Smells of slight fruity and grassy notes.

Tastes of the grainy sweetness mostly. Fairly light with some bread and a bit of grape like notes. Hops are hidden a little, but do come through as it warms adding a grassy and floral touch.

Mouthfeel is light with a crisp amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is a nice refreshing beer and it is quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 00:38:54 | More by ocelot2500

jpro

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

6-pack from Total Wine, Charlotte (Park Road).

A: Cool label art on the 12oz “compass” bottle; pours a light, brassy gold and crystal clear; one finger of fluffy white foam forms on the pour.

S: Hay; grainy; pretty simple and straightforward... as it should be for a Kolsch.

T: Light bready-huskiness; earthy; sweet finish with a dab of hops.

M: Medium-bodied (fuller than it looks); higher carbonation; nice.

O: A nice Kolsch; good backyard / cookout / summertime brew for sure... I’ll definitely have it again!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 23:09:29 | More by jpro

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.3/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

nothing special here, a very standard an unexciting pale beer. pours clear and washed out yellow looking with a decent white head. smells like a beer, a bit of euro malts but nothing memorable in the nose. flavor is equally dull, its crisp and refreshing, but it doesnt taste like much. this is a style of beer that can be quite exciting when done properly, im not sure why this one is so flat. feel is fine, well carbonated and very very light on the body. i wont buy this again, not because its bad, but because its boring. i prefer the hop notch from uinta

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 18:36:34 | More by StonedTrippin

TenHornsProud

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a light orange with a creamy white head that does not go away.

Smells of bready lager yeast with some biscuit and sulfur notes.

Up front bready lager character that goes into a bitter and sulfur middle before ending on a slightly sweet and grassy flavor. The hops give this somewhat of a grassy/earthy note, which is nice for Spring. Pretty one dimensional, which is typical for the style.

Light body with lighter carbonation and a great, creamy mouthfeel.

I think is is a fine kolsch, which reminds me, I don't really like this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 20:18:00 | More by TenHornsProud

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 9/6/11.

Pours a slightly hazy light honey orange with a 1 inch puffy orange-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy splotches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt/grain, white grape juice, and some nice honey aromas. Taste is of malt/grain, honey, and a grassy flavor on the finish. There is a very mild bitterness with each sip that quickly fades from the palate. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer and quite sessionable at only 4% ABV. I will keep this one in mind for summer cookouts.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 02:11:32 | More by UCLABrewN84

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

6 pack from Smith's in Vernal for $9.99. Into a Boulevard Pint.

A: Gold in color with a finger's worth of stark white head that quickly fades to a thin cap. Excellent clarity, and quite a few bubbles moving up through this.

S: Not much, lightly grainy with a slightly soapy hop profile. Smells really light and crisp.

T: Follows the nose, light and grainy with a bit of sweetness. A slight amount of bitterness evens things out on the finish. Nice spicy hop profile. Pretty enjoyable stuff.

M: Light, crisp carbonation, and really dry. Very enjoyable.

O: Not too shabby, a nice session beer that I am glad to be able to get regularly, especially once summer hits.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 22:59:04 | More by pokesbeerdude

rastamendi

California

2.6/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- A beautiful gold color, brilliant clarity, with a lingering lace and subtle head that lingered to the end.
A- Very muted aroma. No noticeable hop or malt aroma. The esters typically associated with the style are missing.
T- Taste is subtle grass with a slight bitterness that borders on astringent. The bitterness is firm for the style, but lacks any hop flavor or aroma.
M- Carbon level was acceptable/appropriate, and the mouthfeel was dry and crisp.
O- Disappointing. Kolsch is my style, but every time I try a new American interpretation I'm left wondering if any of them have ever had a traditional example from Koln. Cant recall the last good one I had! Colorado Kolsch is the last one that came close

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 01:48:35 | More by rastamendi

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Clear yellow color, minimal bubbles with a couple rising to the surface. Smells sort of grainy. Flavor is grainy malt, cereals, not very crisp and not very hoppy despite what the label says. Very easy to drink though since the ABV is so low. This was a decent beer but is my least favorite for the style and I won't make a repeat purchase on this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 00:39:54 | More by ArrogantB