Kuhnhenn Loonie Kuhnie Pale Ale - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Served on-tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours a very lightly hazy deep golden yellow in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some amber highlights. The beer has a finger tall white head that reduces to a very thin film covering the surface of the beer with a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of pale malts with just a hint of toasted malts and moderate aromas of citrus/orange rind hops.

T: Upfront there is a light amount of toasted pale malts and caramel sweetness that is followed by moderate flavors of citrus/orange rind hops. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness that fades pretty quickly.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink with not too intense flavors or too intense bitterness and a low enough ABV to be sessionable. I observed a number of people order and enjoy this one in the afternoon at the bar - enjoyable and popular.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 15:41:31 | More by dbrauneis

tectactoe

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Kuhnhenn. Burnt amber with faint orange highlights all around, a mild haze sets in throughout the very middle part of the glass while the rest of the beer retains decent clarity. The small white head was probably more due to the pour than the beer - it's foamy and leaves very little lacing on the way down.

The nose contains a nice, citric hop punch; a borderline tropical bouquet of fruits - pineapples, grapefruits, and other assorted juicy goodness. The fruits are heavier on the sweet and juicy side, and don't contain much of the pith/peel bitterness, somewhat typically for an APA. The hoppy smells remain somewhat low, though there is a light bit of pine and mild hop oil that peak through with slight pungency and hit the nostrils before the aroma is completely gone.

Following right through with the aroma, the taste starts off with a moderated amount of citric flavors and juicy fruits. Seemingly sweet up front, and a touch watery at first. I didn't realize this beer was only 5.6% ABV until I looked at the menu again. Pineapple, tangerine, and grapefruit coat the palate before letting the other side of the hops dig into your tongue - lightly herbal and peppery, leafy and relaxed. The bitterness is relevant, but still pretty low - again, typical for a Pale Ale. It's just enough to balance and coexist successfully with the citrus and fruit, also backed up by a light sweetness from the malt. Getting some more perfume-like and floral notes as this one warms up. Thin-medium bodied, wet and slick with medium carbonation.

Kuhnhenn puts out another winner here; a very tasty and super-drinkable APA sure to please any fan of citrus and hops. The low ABV ensures you could throw back a growler of this and (most likely) keep on kickin'.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 11:41:26 | More by tectactoe

Alextricity

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Had on-tap at Terry's Terrace in Harrison Township (?), Michigan. I was excited to finally get my first taste of Kuhnhenn.

Appearance: Well, it looks like a pale ale. There's a finger or so of head that sticks around awhile. The lacing hangs in there for about the first half of the pint, and then it goes away.

Smell: It's just... nice. What more is there to say. The most noticeable aroma is the hops, but it's not a huge burst... just a nice, Fruity Pebble or Fruit Loops-esque smell that pleases the nose.

Taste: Quite honestly one of, if not THEE, best pale ales that I have ever had, as it is perfectly balanced. It has the aroma and flavor of an IPA, but it lacks the bitter bite that most IPAs seem to have. The non-nondescript citrus and cherry aroma comes through in the taste, and it's just super smooth and tasty. If I go to a bar and want something that's not as bland as BMC or quite as hoppy as an IPA, I'm going to choose Loonie Kuhnie. The aroma and taste match up nicely, there's a perfect balance of malts and hops, it's really not bitter at all (if you happen to dislike bitter beers), and would be a great sessionable choice at about five-and-a-half percent ABV. The mouthfeel is medium, and the finish is clean with a pleasant tea-like aftertaste (think Lagunitas IPA). Would love to have another.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2013 04:32:57 | More by Alextricity

metter98

New York

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Valhalla Bar, New York, NY

A: The beer is slightly hazy yellowish amber in color. It poured with a thin white head that has relatively good retention properties and left a thick collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of citrusy hops in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has light flavors of citrusy hops along with hints of caramel malts and a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink, flavorful and can be considered sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 14:31:50 | More by metter98

scootny

New York

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is a nice hoppy session ale. Nice clear light amber with a healthy white head. Smell has quite a bit of buttered, yeasty, multigrain toast, butterscotch and light sweet malt. Hops are citrusy and bright. Taste is quite nice. Buttered toast and caramel malt. Quite hoppy for a pale ale and I like it. Not overdone but enough to set itself apart. Finish is short and clean with a hop oil signature. Feel is crisp and light with enough meat on the bone to make for a good chew. Goes down with a quenching dryness. A nice session ale indeed.

Serving type: growler

10-31-2012 03:54:39 | More by scootny

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I finally get to try a typical style of beer from Kuhnhenn, as opposed to all the less prevalent styles that I have always had from them.

Whew. Lots of citrus on here. It's nearly overpowering and damn near too much. I'm getting hops mixed in with the citrus. Seems a bit of an odd mix. Nice to drink. Seems a bit too boisterous.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 15:57:34 | More by RblWthACoz

mltobin

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at The Ginger Man in NYC.

Appearance is a cloudy yellow color with one finger of head. Its` nose has malts, sweet hops, some citrus. The taste is lemon, grapefruit, some honey and more hops. Mouthfeel is low, finishes crisp and nice. It is a fairly sweet apa, not too much bitterness. An interesting take on the style, albeit a good one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 03:37:07 | More by mltobin

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had a pint at the Stag's Head in Midtown. This pale ale was pleasantly different for the style, with a very smooth juicy apricot and grapefruit hops character, but there's an earthy, almost vegetal note that didn't quite fit. Worth a try. I certainly appreciate a new take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 03:41:21 | More by tempest

J0E

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Lockhart's BBQ in Royal Oak

A: Golden yellow with not too much of a head on it, poured into a pint glass. Lighter in color than I was expecting.

S: Nice fruity piney hops.

T: Nice hop bitterness, balanced out with bready malts. Higher on the hops than I was expecting, but not complaining. Very delicious.

M: Light and drinkable. Carbonation is just right.

O: An APA that is toeing the line to IPA with the amount of hops present. Very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2011 17:53:30 | More by J0E

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pale ale pours out as a yellowish gold color with a white head that thins out after a short while. The smell is nicely hopped up and makes me wanna dive right in. The taste is hoppy as well, as the aftertaste settles in there is some grainy malts that come through. The mouthfeel is pretty typical, it's got a bite to it from the carbonation and the hops. Not a bad brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2011 19:24:52 | More by Knapp85

FanofHefe

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a pint glass. Slightly hazy yellow body with a one-finger white head. Good retention and some light lacing on the glass.

Nice hop aroma featuring mostly citrusy hops with just a touch of pine resin. Slightly sweet malt presence in the background.

The flavor is a little more biter than the aroma would suggest, in a good way. Piney hop bitterness up front, with some sweet, bready malt taste to follow. Close to an IPA-like flavor.

Light to medium mouthfeel and a nice clean finish. Very drinkable. Would recommend as a very good Pale Ale that's close to an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2011 00:13:23 | More by FanofHefe

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.35/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 5/15/2010. Growler from Big Z Beverage. Pours a clear orange brown with a thick white head. Aroma of toasted malt, bready malt, light fruity sweetness, citrus. Flavor of caramel malt, a touch of citrus, and bready malt. Light and drinkable although a little boring flavor-wise.

Serving type: growler

12-23-2010 20:45:41 | More by LilBeerDoctor

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This particular ale comes out of the tap a transparent, somewhat hazy honey golden. Aroma is hoppy, slightly malty and slightly honey-sweet. Hoppy, somewhat bitter flavor has an undertone of honey and hints of spice and wood. Texture is smooth yet edgy.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2010 00:41:45 | More by Cyberkedi

jrallen34

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at the brewery into a tulip...Pours a very dark gold, white head, ok retention and lacing...The aroma is light faint hops but nice...The taste is also light presented with hops, but again light and totally drinkable. Exactly what a pale ale should be, nice hop taste easy to drink...Really easy to drink, close to being a session.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2010 03:02:57 | More by jrallen34

Nickls

District of Columbia

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(From notes)

A - Orangey-yellow hue that is mostly clear; good amount of slightly off-white foamy head that unfortunately didn't hold at all

S - Juicy piney hop aroma; solid matliness to balance

T - Aggressive pine hoppiness for an APA; fairly fruity; smooth sweet maltiness

M - Mediumish MF; softer, fine carbonation

D - Nice quaffing here, packs a lot of flavor in and is pretty interesting in terms of the hop-forwardness

This might be considered an IPA for some other breweries. Good APA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2009 19:43:58 | More by Nickls

corby112

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a s;lightly hazy golden orange/amber color with paler golden yellowish orange hues when held to a light source and a frothy one finger head that slowly fades into a lasting ring.

Slightly toasty, nutty aroma with graham cracker/biscuit notes and carmel malt. Slight floral citrus hop presence along with some grassy straw notes.

Fuler end of medium body but still incredibly smooth and drinkable. Lots of crisp floral hops up front that are balanced mid-palate by the smooth caramel and biscuit malt notes. Slightly earthy with some grass and straw presence as well as some crisp light fruit notes, especially apple. The floral hops also produce a subtle citrus flavor, mostly grapefruit and orange peel along with some mango and pineappple, Very well balanced with a sweet body and slight dry finish. This is a very flavor, well balanced esy drinking session beer.

Serving type: growler

11-19-2009 04:13:05 | More by corby112

plaid75

New York

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draft at The Blind Tiger, NYC.

Poured a hazy light copper hue with a one finger frothy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a vibrant citrus dry hop.

The taste consisted of a light caramel malt and a bursting floral and fruity hop.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall a superior APA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2009 19:29:06 | More by plaid75

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A lightly coloured golden body that appears as though it was some distance from the heat but not far enough away to have completely avoided being toasted. Despite its crisp exterior it remains transparent but not without a minor haze that prevents an unblemished clarity. Little streamers of lace unravel from the surface's white surf, one that contains bubbles the size of genetically modified strawberries no less.

The aroma is considerably hoppy for the style which is commendable but still to say not all that hoppy. Nevertheless, the malts must be plainly pale because they are undetectable and for what little lupullin is noted we can extract plenty of floral and fruity character. A blend of orange blossom as well as orange, it is grassy with the definite hint of citrus.

This pale ale is undoubtedly American but sort of resembles some British teas, chamomile in particular. It has lots of grassy, floral and herbal remnants - the hops also impart a (not only suggestive but vivid) taste of ripe cantaloupe and melon that really grows on you throughout the tasting. The malts are indeed clean and pale, imparting notes of crackers and bready sweetness. There's also a fleeting hint of honeycomb wafers.

The bitterness is low but persists with a snippy, lightly clipping note (something akin to the teeth of a small fish). It is crisp, almost wheaty, with an aftertaste that is full of fruit and flowers. Even despite the odd (for both style and strength) hint of ethanol-like alcohol this is a very sessionable drink. Of course, a little more malt or hops would have bumped up its character substantially but I doubt that was Kuhnhenn's prerogative.

Looney Kuhnie may not (likely should not) be your first choice at the Kuhnhenn brewpub but if you happen to find yourself there with an entry level beer drinker, someone who prefers less distinctive offerings, chances are they'll love it. And there's no reason you won't like it either - its crisp maltiness and suggestively floral/fruity hop profile would make a great base for a mean American IPA. I sure liked it! Thanks ThatWineGuy!

Serving type: growler

07-15-2009 18:54:13 | More by biegaman

ThatWineGuy

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased at the brew pub four days ago, bronze-gold and hazy on the pour with one finger white head reduced to a wispy clouded surface. Carbonation consists of a half dozen lazy small bubble streams drifting upwards. A more brilliant hue emerged once the beer settled with sheet and ribbon lace.

Generous floral and citrus hop aroma abounds, quite nice. Big, citrus taste with pronounced bitterness and good malt balance. This is one tasty pale ale with a hints of mint and refreshing honey due finish. Crisp and hoppy, a bit on the thin side; the lively, hoppy mouthfeel makes this an ideal sessional. I'd certainly buy more of this.

Serving type: growler

07-14-2009 01:55:50 | More by ThatWineGuy

david131

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Slightly hazy, light copper in color with a creamy looking white head that settles to a thin, splotchy covering. Pretty appealing for the style.

S- Grassy, fruity, a hint of funk and olives. A little bit of floral hops and caramel. Not extremely aromatic.

T- Grassy, floral, and fruity. Pretty light and tasty. A pretty simple tasting APA.

M- Very smooth with just some hints of carbonation. It seemed it a bit more lively on tap, so I would wager that the growler has taken a bit of bite out of this.

D- A very sessionable pale ale. Something nice and refreshing from a brewery that normally makes beers that kick your ass.

Serving type: growler

02-02-2009 01:29:30 | More by david131

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Kuhnhenn Brew Pub.

Poured a medium and hazy golden color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of citrus, a little fruity, and some caramel. Tastes of the same fruitiness, caramel, and some floralness. A very drinkable Pale Ale!

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2009 02:12:06 | More by hopdog

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewpub.

Pours a hazy gold with a finger of creamy brite-white head. Retains well and leaves a nice bit of lace behind. The aroma is floral hops, fresh citrus, spice, and pale malts.

The taste is a nice biting mix of hop bitterness and zesty citrus notes backed by a silky smooth backbone of caramel malts. The mouthfeel is a light medium with a nicely well down overall smooth feel.

This is an all around solid and hugely drinkable APA from Kuhnhenn and at only 5.6%, the definition of a session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2008 16:49:36 | More by Kegatron

Pointman

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice golden pour. Good head...gotta love that. nice carmel malt and grapefruit hoppieness. Very refreshing. Not your typical pale ale. As a pale ale - it jumps at you. Definitely worth the 15 miles I drive to the brewery every week.

Finish is dry and leaves you wanting more.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2008 18:10:38 | More by Pointman

WeisGuy

New York

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the brewpub on Saturday night and brought a growler home back to NC to enjoy again. I'll note that it was (obviously) better on tap at the source.

a - pours a slightly hazy bright golden color, one-finger white head with little retention but decent lacing

s - nice citrusy hop aroma with a bit of graininess/yeastiness as well, no alcohol detectable

t - bitter citrusy hops up front, slightly sweet, body is a bit more bitterness with strong bread, yeast and grain flavors, finish is of lingering piney bitterness and more grain, barely noticeable alcohol

m - medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, fairly dry on the finish

d - very drinkable pale ale, the finish is fairly dry, but this is a definite candidate for a session beer

Very solid beer overall. Like I mentioned above, this was more impressive on-tap at Kuhnhenn, but it's a very nice beer out of the growler 2+ days removed as well.

Serving type: growler

11-27-2007 04:11:03 | More by WeisGuy

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another on-tap at Kuhnhenn, this APA pours a semi-translucent orange/gold amber with a thin white head that recedes quickly and live an okay amount of lace.

Some cereal wheat in the aroma along with fruit: banana and citrus. A hint of spice is present. Bubblegum as well.

The flavor includes smooth citrus and mellow wheat. Just a hint of hops. Some yeasty grain and fruit in the finish. I would have liked to detect a bit more hops.

The mouthfeel is clean and velvety. A matted smooth finish with low/moderate carbonation. Somewhat run-of-the-mill but, as always, very well done.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2007 18:50:53 | More by letsgopens