32°/50° - COAST Brewing Company

prototypic

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Many, many thanks to kkipple for the bottle. Always stoked to try out a new Coast brew.

32°/50° pours a very light yellow/straw color. It's relatively clear, and looks even less colorful with backlighting. A soft, modest white head covers it. It stands about a finger tall, and falls to a surface covering quickly. Lacing was moderate. Much more than I expected in that department. Given the style...not bad at all.

The nose is alright. Generally speaking, I don't get much out of the nose in Kölsch style beers. This one isn't materially better. Initially, it strikes me as a little weak. There are some sweet, malty notes. It's definitely earthy and slightly grainy smelling. Honey is noted. The x factor here is hops. They're very much present and accounted for. They're floral in character and smell nice. I don't know that I've encountered that in this style before. Alcohol is not noticeable. No surprise there.

The flavor is pretty good. I'm not the biggest fan of the style, but this one's pretty damn good. A nice, semi-sweet, malty base is noted right off the bat. It's earthy and grainy. Honey is relatively strong in the mix and adds much to the overall flavor. I really like that addition. Light lemon also adds some depth. Hops steal the show in a sense. I'm not accustomed to a nice hop presence in this style. This one has it, and it's all the better for it. They're definitely floral, and complement the earthy notes so well. I'm impressed. Alcohol is buried. It finishes with a honey/hop combo.

32°/50° has a light body that goes down easy. Carbonation is light and restrained. Its body is too light to really feel smooth, but I don't think that's uncharacteristic of the style. Drinkability is good. This is one tasty Kölsch, and it'd go down all too well on a hot day. A bomber is no problem at all.

Coast Brewing Company brews good beer. I'm not the biggest fan of Kölsch, but this one's impressive. It really succeeds because of the honey/hop presence. They add a lot to the overall flavor and character of the beer. I'm still not the biggest fan of the style, but this one is certainly impressive. Definitely worth seeking out, especially if you're into Kölsch.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 04:20:01 | More by prototypic

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at the brewery, in a pint glass. Poured a golden yellow, produced a large white head, featured excellent retention and left ample amount of lacing on the glass. The Aroma of this classic German style consisted of malted grain, pear and lemon rind. Light in body, this brew had an excellent smooth mouthfeel, a base of malted grain, earthy grass and a crisp finish. This is a nice version of the style, refreshing, great lawnmower beer, great session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2012 15:54:12 | More by GossageBrewery

FutureCowboy

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

CBX growler poured into a 20oz COAST glass. The good folks @ COAST recently decided to send this brew out unfiltered, figured it was a good time to review since I thoroughly enjoyed a pint recently

Pours that light golden straw colors, just right for the style, with a foamny white head. Instant lacing, whcih I like, head fell pretty quick since it's not too dense. Though it's unfiltered, there's no unplesant haze here.

Nice bold smell, nothing overwhelming at all but it's just...bold. Almost hints of cheese in there somehow?

Taste is instantly refreshing. The unfiltered version brings out all the notes just a little more, for fuller flavor all around. It's a balanced, easy drinking delight.

Mouthfeel is indicative of a Kolsch, again very easy drinking.

Can I say it enough? Easy drinking.

Keep it up COAST.

Serving type: growler

02-14-2010 04:31:14 | More by FutureCowboy

alleykatking

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bottle. Many thanks go out to mikesgroove for this bottle.

A- Pours a clear yellow color. Two finger white head comes up fast and lasts for a little bit. Nice ringing lacing left on the glass.

S- Clean smelling malts in the front end of this beer. Unlike other kolsch styles I have had seemed to be much muted than this beer. There is some light cracker like aroma as well. A light earthy hops comes into play around the ending of the aroma as a whole. Nothing really else going on...smells like a kolsch on steriods.

T- Tastes like what a normal kolsch would be like. Light buttery biscuty flavors right in the front end of this beer. Also, the bitter hops come into play right about the middle and stay throughout the rest of the beer. The beer has more hops in it than I have hade with other kolsch styles. Not bad at all actually quite good..maybe the most flavor I have had in one before.

M- Light mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style but high for my personal taste. Very drying in the mouth. Clean tasting flavors throughout the entire beer. Light buttery biscut malts in the front end with light bitter hops in the aftertaste.

D- This was a very drinkable beer that I enjoyed very much. Opened up my eyes to what a very well crafted beer in the style could be. COAST hits it dead on and I personally would love to get some more bottles of it.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2010 03:23:56 | More by alleykatking

Florida9

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Clear pale yellow with a visibly active and vibrant carbonation level. Forms about a 1/2" of fluffy white head. Decent retention with light lacing.

S: Light lemon citrus and pale malt. Typical for the style.

T: Lightly sweet with a light tart funkiness. Biscuit malts with a faint grassy hoppiness. Simplistic, but easy to like.

M: Light with appropriate carbonation. Clean finish.

O: A good beer and a good representation of the style. Easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 15:18:44 | More by Florida9

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint at Sesame Burger. Smells of crisp fruity malts. Really full of crisp malt flavor, nicely balanced with some minor hop and floral notes.
Kolsch as really become a favorite of mine...and this one has as much personality as a Kolsch can have. Not quite up to Captain Lawrence for me, but very close. Very good and worthy of every good rating it gets.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2012 01:04:25 | More by DrinkSlurm

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Hazy lemon color. Head is minimal but stays for a good amount of time.

S: Light on the smell. A little lemon and yeast.

T: Smooth, lemon, yeast, good hop backbone. Balanced well. A lot of flavors for a lighter beer. Malt is there but not overpowering.

M: Sits great for a light beer. The bubbles are light on the palate and a good amount of malt comes through.

Overall a great go at the style. A good blend of flavors and has the perfect amount of body for a lighter beer. COAST seems to make some killer beers: I recommend grabbing one if you ever see it.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 20:48:37 | More by Jamesthebrit

GJ40

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at The Griffon in Charleston, SC.

Yellow and hazy with a small white head. Good lacing. Aroma was black pepper and spice. Flavor was crisp with a hint of sweetness and a mild bitterness. Creamy consistency with a low to moderate carbonation. Interesting and fun but not remarkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2011 18:14:45 | More by GJ40

thadbme

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a yellow that reminds me a lot of mountain dew. A minor amount of head that dissipates quickly. Little bit of carbonation that shows up.

S: Balanced smell that I can pick up on the malt and the wheat, with just a hint of honey.

T: Dry and mildly bitter with a hint of wheat on there. Can't really discern the honey notes from the taste.

M: Medium body, seems to have a more carbonation on the tongue and a bitter finish.

O: Very drinkable beer. This would be a nice beer that you could drink in large quantities. I wasn't overly impressed with the appearance, but the rest of the beer was rather solid. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 22:32:36 | More by thadbme

wcudwight

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On-tap at Charleston Beerworks.
This has got to be the palest yellow I've seen. It's not urine pale like most macros. This is such a pale yellow it makes me think, "now, this is a real session beer."
I'm not getting much in the aroma but I think that's more b/c of the bar and less to do with the beer. I get some faint grassy type hops in the nose and not much else.
This is good. It's not going to smack you upside the head but instead it will just make you nod and say hmmmm this is a good beer. Sweet malts mixed with some light floral and grassy hops. It's the balance and simplicity that I enjoy in this beer.
Very light bodied and easy to drink. Nice beer to sit back and session for awhile while playing pool or skeet ball.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 03:10:55 | More by wcudwight

SykDoc

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap and from the bottle. Poured from a bottle into a pilsner glass. It pours a very light straw color. A 3 inch almost white head reduces to a nice lacing. Carbonation is definitely visible.

The aroma is grains with an almost grassy component. The wheat is there and I think I'm picking up just a bit of apple.

The taste is starts with a malty/wheaty note and then I pick up more of a grassy/noble hops presence. Interesting lemon component at the end.

The mouthfeel is light bodied, clean and crisp. Carbonation is slightly elevated, but that seems to balance the flavor. A very nice dryness lingers at the finish and there is perhaps just a hint of sour bite.

This is a solid beer. It is not my preferred style and I definitely enjoyed this. The taste that I had at the brewery was solid and this one, bottled on 8/10/11 was good as well. It is a nice, light, and easy beer to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:33:25 | More by SykDoc

Onenote81

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally was able to find this one during a trip to the Upstate last weekend. Bottled on 12/21/11. Poured into a stemmed lager glass.

Pours a slightly-hazy pale gold with a lusciously thick bone-white head. Great retention. Sticky sip rings cling to the glass. The nose is sharp with grassy notes, lemon-lime, floral hops. Body is effervescent and lively. Sweet citrus flavors join arms with a subtle green hop twang that is lip-smackingly good. This beer errs on the mild side, but it is packed full of flavor regardless. Refreshing and tasty. Loved this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 13:57:16 | More by Onenote81

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Unibroue tulip from a 64 oz. growler, poured from the Charleston beer exchange 2 days ago. Lovely, white head, nice retention, soapy, fluffy, lacing not too sticky. Aroma is kinda hard to describe....Kolschy? Maybe a bit of salt in the aroma maybe a bit freshly cut grassy? Interesting. Taste is sorta salty actually and maybe a reserved balance between bitterness and sweetness with a touch of salt thrown in. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. This is one you would drink in the head and probably avoid when its snowing. Enjoyable. Tasty.

Serving type: growler

09-02-2010 07:27:06 | More by KickbacksSteve

smakawhat

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a Gaffel Kolsch stange glass. Much big thanks to mikesgroove for the trade! Love the quest for the perfect Kolsch, excited about this one! Bottled October 12th 2011.

Head is a bit shocking white, very foamy with large bubbles, but on a great glowing lemon yellow body, literally text book bright and orb lemon glowing. Slightly cloudy. Lots of rising carbonation some of it quite large. Love this body color, head clumps slightly.

Nose is small, but a wonderful citrus lemon aroma, some spicy hops, and light faint bread malts. Not particularly hoppy though it seems but no complaints.

Taste brings an extremely light palate. Light crisp sensation with lemony soda and small malts. Mild spicy phenols finally on the finish that takes some time to find on the finish for the aftertaste. Carbonation seems just about right, bringing in a big quenching feeling.

Overall, real solid Kolsch, I am still looking for the perfect one, but this would be great on a hot day. Boy would this be good on a hot day. Not sure if this is my favorite, but real glad to have had the chance to try it. Would have again in an instant.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 00:26:12 | More by smakawhat

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer bottled on 11/12/09 according to label. Beer is light yellow (really light) and clear. Carbonation is moderate to high with small and medium bubbles, very steady. Head forms quickly but disappears leaving a diffuse layer of thin white bubbles on the top of the beer. No lacing, looks good.

Aroma is slightly sweet and some grain in the nose. Smells like a kolsch, just OK.

Beer is medium body and finishes without an aftertaste at all. Feels great, nice carbonation in the mouth interesting kolsch. Second taste, almost fruity that time, again really drinkable, some almost apple flavors up front gives way to really mild bitterness on the back end. I am warming up to these Kolsches. I like this beer a lot. I would order it and have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2010 01:38:06 | More by drabmuh

HopHead84

California

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

6/26/2011

Bottle shared by Javier at Sour Fest 2011, thanks!

A: Very light in color, a transparent straw yellow with a big white head. Nice color and clarity.

S: Light sulfur and mineral with notes of grain, wheat, and a touch of apple.

T: The flavor is dry with a little malt sweetness reminding me of wheat. A touch of mineral. A low noble hop flavor with a faint sulfur note. The finish is dry, crisp, and clean.

M: Light in body with high carbonation. Mouthfeel is crisp, dry, and smooth.

Overall: An enjoyable and very refreshing Kolsch on a pleasantly warm San Diego summer day.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 03:54:33 | More by HopHead84

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a Foothills shaker. Poured a hazy straw yellow with a half finger pure white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, fruit, rye, and grain. The flavor was of sweet malt, gain, fruit, banana, subtle spices, and rye. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. I had just recently had a bottle of this one that was aged and I have to say that I enjoyed the aged version better than this one. While this one was still pretty good, the rye component as I saw it was a little strong and covered up a lot of the more mellow flavors going on here. If this would not have been the case it would have definitely received higher marks as the bottle did. Still a very solid offering from COAST that everyone should try at least once.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 12:30:28 | More by thagr81us

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It's hard to find a good Koelsch, but COAST just made the search a little easier. It has the nice golden appearance of a German style Koelsch. This beer just looked refreshing, as it was 100 degrees out that day. The crips, clean taste was everything I hoped it would be, and one of the best examples of the style I've had since I had authentic ones in Germany. I could drink this beer all day, no problem. A fantastic example!

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2010 23:05:12 | More by DeutschesBier

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled: 12/09/2010. 22 oz bottle at 42 degrees into a Franziskaner weizen glass.

A: It pours a lightly clouded mello-yello color with two fingers of wet white head that recedes to a half-inch and stays. The beer also laces better than any Kolsch I've ever seen.

S: Lemon, grass, floral hops, and some light cereal malts.

T: It is damn-near identical to the nose with an emphasis on the lemon and cereal malts. Nothing is very strong in the taste but the subtlety is pleasant.

M: The body is light with plenty of carbonation and a clean finish.

O: This is one of the better sessionable beers out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 06:10:59 | More by bucklemyshoe

mdaschaf

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes. Consumed at the Moo Bar.

A: Pours a golden yellow color with a large white, foamy head on top, very fizzy. Pretty good retention, leaving some streaky lacing down the sides.

S: Plenty of lemon citrus up front, grassy hops, and a little bit of spice. Faint bready malts.

T: Light bready malt mixed with lemon and plenty of grass. Slightly sweet finish with a touch of honey.

M: Light to medium bodied, very crisp and easy drinking.

O: Beginning to like Kolschs more and more. Another great beer for a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 20:57:06 | More by mdaschaf

RussBecker1

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Most important in tasting Coast's 32/50 is to first understand the purpose of this particular brew. This Kolsch is exceptionally light on the palate and is meant as more of a cleansing agent than a pairing beer. Upon knowing and appreciating that, one will find that it does its job exceptionally well.

From a personal standpoint, pilsners have never struck much of a chord with me as I have always found them to be rather bland and lifeless. This particular pils has changed my mind entirely as it still manages to encapsulate the classic pils smells and tastes while adding many layers of intricacy. The nicest part about the brew however is the fact that it enhances whatever you may eat or drink following the beer as your palate is freshened and clear of any distracting agents. I will certainly have this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 22:47:07 | More by RussBecker1

steveh

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A new beer from a new brewery I'd never heard of. Thanks again to Herr B. for a great trade.

22 ounce bomber, bottled on 8.26.12.

A -- Hazy pale straw color with a fluffy, long-lasting white head.

S -- Spicy hops right up front, my bet is on Hallertauer, maybe Tettnang. Mild DMS and some mellow grains.

T -- The flavor is very interesting; starting with the spicy hops and some mellow fruit esters folding into some grainy characters and mineral water then smooth, mellow Pils malt -- almost sweet. The finish is somewhat citric with spicy bitterness in the aftertaste and a lingering graininess from wheat malt.

M -- The mouthfeel is smooth to crisp with a light body and dry finish.

O -- A definite keeper and good quaffer over any long-haul. Delicious enough to keep you wanting another swallow without being overbearing on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 21:04:59 | More by steveh

MarkSCCOT

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is a take on the Kolsch style by David Merritt, a former brewer for Palmetto Brewing and the Head Brewer/Owner of Coast Brewing.
Davis and his wife, Jamie were active in the legislative movement to get the abv cap raised here in SC. Once this movement succeeded, the damn broke and great craft beer flooded into the state.

A. A great yellow hazy brew with a moderate head and slight lacing.

S. Good healthy malt background with a hint of hop. A clean fruity aroma.

T. Very true to the style with a clean finish. On the negative, I heard a beer fan state "it could have used a week." When I stopped by earlier in the week they were still filtering the beer with the deadline of their opening looming on the horizon. I will follow this beer in the future and I know it will only continue to refine itself.

M. Very clean and refreshing finish. Among the non-"Hop Heads" at this opening, this was a favorite. Need I say more?

D. Very drinkable, very clean, very true to Kolsches. This is a style that the US has wrongly not yet embraced.

A great light session beer!!!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2007 00:07:56 | More by MarkSCCOT

glid02

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tried this courtesy of Ding - thank you sir!

Pours a crystal-clear pale straw color with a thin white head that quickly recedes into a wispy layer of bubbles on top. Solid lacing.

Smells of pale malts and noble hops - mildly sweet with an underlying grassy aroma.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Light malt sweetness is soon joined by a mild bitterness that does just enough to produce a clean finish. As with the smell there's a grassy undertone.

Mouthfeel is good. It's light, but that's to be expected, and the carbonation is crisp.

Drinkability is good. I could easily have a few of these, and the low ABV is conducive to that.

Overall this is a solid beer for the style, although I have to admit I'm still developing an appreciation for said style. This would be a great summer beer, to be enjoyed while playing bocci ball. Thanks again to Ding for sharing this.

Serving type: growler

01-19-2009 17:05:02 | More by glid02

Overlord

California

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Really not a style I like, but hey, this was pretty good!

Pours a very, very pale golden color. Kind of scared me with the color, but it turned out pretty good. Huge white foam head.

Smells faintly of grass and ... something sweet ... and a biscuit-y, almost pilsener mineraliness. Interesting.

Taste is mostly sweet malt, some balancing yeast and minerals, and a bit of grassiness. Really quite pleasant and quaffable. Thin, but appropriately carbonated for the style.

Really quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2010 09:38:17 | More by Overlord