Krankshaft Kölsch - Metropolitan Brewing

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.1/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Had this on-tap at Hackney's at the Printer's Row section of Chicago.

Served in a pint glass.

A: Poured a clear straw color with about a 1.5 finger head. Nice, classic Kolsch look.

S: VERY strong barley and grain scent... much more potent than I'm used to in this style. Still, not bad.

T: I bit more sugar-laced than most Kolschs on the market for sure, but still not bad, and the bitter finish was a bit off to my mind.

M: This certainly got a bit cloying after a while, which is not a good thing in the Kolsch world. Lots of lacing.

O: Meh, didn't care much for this one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 11:37:29 | More by Chaney

socon67

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Hazy straw color with a bubbly foam head. Minimal lacing.

S - Smells of fresh grain, acidic fruit, and spice.

T - Has a dry finish. Flavors of grain and lemon zest. Has a slight astringent bite to it.

M - Pretty typical for the style. Leaves a dry feel similar to a pinot grigio.

O - I liked this one. Not many good Kolsch from domestic brewers. This was an enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 01:18:05 | More by socon67

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives with a clear pale golden color capped by whipped egg white foam; good lacing

Smell: Crackery and lemony

Taste: Taste follows the nose, with a rather lemony, slightly acetic balance to the cracker malt; just a hint of tart apple on the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with crisp carbonation

Overall: Refreshing and flavorful

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 11:45:10 | More by brentk56

osusullins

Illinois

2.85/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This is an ok Kolsch style lager. Pours clear and light golden color. Nice white head. Bitter, but not overpowering. Very drinkable beer, however I am not a fan of this style. A slight metallic after taste. I know quite a few people who love this beer, so I feel bad not giving it a higher review. That said, in my opinion this is an average beer at best. It's better than coors light, but not by much. I love supporting local breweries so I will continue to try everything that Metropolitan produces, but this is not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2011 03:55:45 | More by osusullins

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Golden beer with a nice white cap.

S - A little bit of bready malt, some minerality. Just nice.

T - Spot-on flavor. Bready malt, mineralilty and a pristineness that makes it extremely refreshing.

M - Nice soft effervescence.

O - I would drink this all the time, were it available in my market.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2011 14:29:09 | More by ktrillionaire

uberez8

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Hay market, a fantastic brew pub in Chicago everyone should visit when given the chance. This beer came out with a thin head and clear gold body but what really grabbed my interest was the smell; very floral and alluring. The taste was amazingly clean and smooth but not wimpy, strong tones of wheat and a zest of lemon followed each swig. Didn't expect much but this is now my go to session beer when found on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 05:52:57 | More by uberez8

aasher

Indiana

1.6/5  rDev -57.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

I had this one on tap while in Chicago yesterday. I hadn't heard of it before so I thought I'd give it a try. It was a huge disappointment. It arrived a very pale gold in color with a light white head. It was very clear. It smelled of a skunked dortmunder lager and didn't have much "kolsch" to it at all. I was really disappointed. The flavor too, of skunked dortmunder. Bummer! It drank light but I hated it. Luckily the manager came by and asked us how our meal was and brought me a fresh Lagunitas IPA to replace it. Amazing and courteous gesture!

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2011 02:56:09 | More by aasher

lstokes

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had this a few times on tap at the U of C pub, and it honestly has yet to wow me.

Very light beer in appearance, but with a nice enough head, and smells like pale malts and a little bit of grass/straw. The taste picks up delicate notes of nutty malts and apple/pear.

It's a very delicate beer, really, as it should be, and the mouthfeel is very prickly and drying, almost too drying. It's a solid effort, I just don't think it's quite as flavorful as your best German Kölsches.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2010 19:07:18 | More by lstokes

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: straw/pale gold, slight chill haze, nice dense white head and lacing.
S: light fruity notes and doughy biscuity pale malts.
T: lightly sweet bready malts are well-balanced by smooth underlying hop bitterness. finishes clean.
M: smooth, light bodied.
D: solid example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2010 14:19:48 | More by MrMcGibblets

Hophead101

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Jake melnicks. 7-13-10
Golden color pours nice and clear.
Off white head, not real big and didn't last long. ok lacing.
Not much smell what was there was slight maltiness.
Great kolsch flavor, really nice for the style. Crisp mouthfeel. Light, malty, a little bit of hops. Super drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2010 04:23:11 | More by Hophead101

jrallen34

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

I drank this on tap at GI.

The beer is a super clear straw with about a finger and half of white head. Decent retention, ok lacing.

The aroma us super light, hardly gives off anything at all.

The taste is super light as well, all water pretty much. There is a light skunk finish.

The feel is super light.

The beer is very easy to drink, but its like drinking a glass of water, why would you want to drink it?

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2010 03:59:36 | More by jrallen34

spointon

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this one on tap at Kasey's Tavern on 1/23/2010.

A= Poured a slightly hazy but very pale yellow, with a 3/4" white head. The head settled to a thin skim and left just minor lacing behind.

S= Smelled like bakery malt sweetness, faint sulfur, esters, and nothing else. Probably a bit more estery than it should be but still very nice.

T= Pretty sweet but in a good way, with a nice bready quality and a kiss of sulfur. Maybe a bit of those fruity esters coming through as faint citrus. Finish was pretty clean.

MF= Lighter bodied with a fairly modest carbonation level.

D= Extremely drinkable and tasty too. Would make an ideal session beer. Easily my favorite Metropolitan beer to date.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 03:30:24 | More by spointon

quinnsi

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Paddy Long's

Bright yellow with a good white head, this beer has pleasant light malt flavors with good yeast presence leading to an almost fruity profile. Very clean and crisp on the finish, with a slighly thicker mouthfeel thank I was expecting.

Very drinkable, matching well on its own in summer or fall with lighter foods.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2009 04:39:50 | More by quinnsi

botham

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the Publican in Chicago. pours a straw color with two fingers of white head with moderate lacings and good retention.

aroma is lightly floral and mildly malty with pale malts and a touch of yeast and munich malts as well. fresh and flavorful in the nose.

taste follows the nose with a healthy note of lager yeast and a crisp finish of residual bread and a touch of floral yeast.

mouthfeel is light bodied, crisp, and mildly effervescent with a crisp finish and a wonderfully fresh profile. an excellent kölsch from Chicagoland.

drinkability is good. for a kölsch, this is a good, fresh example with a solid character and drinakble aura. cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2009 15:56:45 | More by botham

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Murky straw yellow with excellent foam and lacing.

Smell: Musky fruitiness. Strong yeast. A bit like a Belgian ale.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Subtle lemon dominates the flavor. Nice crisp mouthfeel. Very bubbly and refreshing.

Overall Drinkability: A very good American Kölsch.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 01:18:06 | More by tjsdomer2

Ryan011235

Ohio

1.9/5  rDev -49.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Poured into an Hannen Alt glass on 10/22/12

Hazy, pale, faded, watery looking dull golden yellow. Two and a half fingers of smooth, fizzy foam. One half finger retention and thick drapes of lace.

The aroma progresses as such: soap (and lots of it), herbal hops, pears, light fruits, grain dust and wheat. The grain bill seem ok, but there's some funny business going on otherwise. Ugh, the taste is thinnish and riddled with unpleasantries. Neutered hops, and a paltry grain bill. Far too much in the way of fruit notions. The finish is dirty and hollow. The feel isn't any better - weak and watery body with overly fuzzy carbonation.

There is a skeleton of an ok beer in here, but, as is, this is is disappointing and difficult to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 04:05:31 | More by Ryan011235

mfavoino

Washington

3.15/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Hazy golden straw color with a bubbly head.

Smell: A bit of yeast, light malts, and some floral aromas. Nothing jumping out of the glass.

Taste: Lemon sweetness and very light malt flavor. Subtle grain and finishes crisp. Overall, fairly subdued.

Mouthfeel: Very light and crisp on the palate. Refreshing for warm weather.

Overall: Flavor was nothing to write home about. Not much to it.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 16:40:05 | More by mfavoino

hoody711

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My first review of a beer style that I actively dislike. Expect bias.

A - poured from the bottle, vigorously, into my goblet. Pale yellow (urine?) with nice head that recedes quickly with little lacing. Carbonation and clarity are nice.

S - yeasty, a little malty, with some honey on the tail end. Damn this beer, it's making me like it before I've tried it. And I so want to hate it.

T - ok, back to disliking it now, but I think it's only because I really don't like kolsch style beers. Sweet up front, marked fruitiness (mostly lemon) that carries through, with a tart finish. Crisp and clean though.

M - crisp and light, the carbonation is nice. Feels a little too much like drinking a soda, but again, bias.

O - still not at all my style. Ugh. But it's complex and nice, if you're into this style. I hesitate to say "chick beer." I'll stick to my pale ales, but I could (very rarely) enjoy one of these in the spring or summer. A nice kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 01:32:56 | More by hoody711

Treebs

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle served in a plastic cup at the Cubs vs. Sox game.

A: Pours a clear golden yellow with a fluffy, long lasting white head forming on the pour. It leaves some sticky sheets of lace behind as I drink.

S: Pretty standard. Lagery yeast with a clear, crisp hop profile. Grassy and slightly malty as well.

T: The taste is a step up as this has a more fruity hop profile than the nose. The finish is nice and clean with a pale malt body.

M: Light bodied, very refreshing with a nice ample carbonation.

O: Well rounded with a good taste and high drinkability. What more could you ask for at a ball park.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 21:18:06 | More by Treebs

Etan

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsner glass.

A: Pours a hazy sunshine yellow with a fluffy head of coarse, sticky bubbles. Great retention and lacing.

S: Thick, slightly soapy yeast, herbal, bright sweet pale malt, a bit of citrus and stone fruits from the hops and malt.

T: Mildly medicinal esters pop up first - floral and a little fruity - followed by big fresh grain and yeasty pale malt.

M: What a great mouthfeel. Soft, creamy, great carbonation.

O: Nice to taste a good, fresh rendition of a kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 21:32:11 | More by Etan

CitizenRay

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Golden and very clear. Lot of carbonation bubbles visible and a pretty persistent head.

S: Grainy sweetness, toffee, and very slight hop aroma. Nice light-malt aroma.

MF: light bodied, and amply carbonated.

T: A bit of grainy sweetness, just a touch of bitterness, some sweet malts through the middle with a faint caramel taste and a clean finish.

O: This is a great beer, and an excellent warm weather beer, very crisp and clean. Perfect examples of this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 05:23:00 | More by CitizenRay

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours golden with a thumb of ivory colored head. Average head retention & lacing

S: Floral & perfumy

T: Grainy, lemony, golden delicious apple, some crackery dry notes up front. Lemons & pears mix as this warmms with some mineral hoppyness. Finishes crisp & crackery with nice lemony notes with pear nuances

MF: Light, crisp, very nice balance indeed

Drinks so easy, a very well done & refreshing Kolsch

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 01:48:11 | More by russpowell

OttoBomb

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz (355m l) bottle into a Sam Adam's Perfect Pint glass (January 26, 2012). The best before date of "APR 20 2012" is printed on the bottom of the sixpack.

Apparently this is brewed with a small addition of wheat to the mash, which should help reduce bitterness and smooth out the flavor.

Eyes: Pours a super clear golden straw color. A clean near-white head. Near perfect for the style.

Nose: Appetizing hints of grain, bread, while undertones of lemon/citrus.

Tongue: Follows the nose with mild malt and a lemon zest finish. A bit lighter than I might like, but very solid all around.

Mouth: Lively and spritzy, but not enough to overwhelm the palate.

Libation: Very easy drinking and flavorful.

The only small issue I have is that I would prefer a bit more heat on the flavor profile, but not enough to seriously detract from this great brew. The addition of the wheat does a great job increasing smoothness. Easy drinking, smooth, this is a great example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 08:46:36 | More by OttoBomb

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a seidel mug.

A: Pours golden and spritzy with a full, pure, white head.

S: Bready and funky with some orange marmelade and toast notes. Interesting...

T: Pretty funky here to. Almost in a Belgian way(?) Hop bitterness is pretty low and malt is pretty restrained, but theres room to move in this style, so no problems there.

D: Damn drinkable (like all Metro's beers) and suprisingly complex for the low ABV.

Overall: This was unlike any Kolsch I've had. That being said, it definitely imprinted itself in my memory and I look forward to purchasing it again soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:28:56 | More by JohnnyChicago

TTAmod

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into pint glass. Served with sweet apple smoked chicken sausage with brown rice and steamed vegetables.

A: Very pale, yet slightly cloudy yellow. Fairly thick, frothy white head crowns the beer. Pretty much spot-on for the style.

S: Smells grainy, bready, slightly fruity (lemon?), and has floral overtones.

T: Starts off with a lemony and crisp grass twang. It fades into a slight, short hint of flowers, and finishes really bready and grassy.

M: Medium body. Really easy drinking. The beer just continually begs you to take another sip.

O: Pretty much excellent in every aspect. I'd maybe suggest adding a more assertive hop note at some point, as the brew was not as bitter as I'd like in a kolsch (35-40 IBU would be amazing, in my opinoin.) This is more of a finishing touch suggestion, though, as everything else is top-notch.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 23:06:59 | More by TTAmod