Kuhnhenn Simcoe Silly - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Alextricity

Michigan

3.59/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

What? This is Kuhnhenn? Had on-tap at the World Expo of Beer in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Appearance: Came with a finger of head in the little sample mug. Surprisingly dark brown color. Decent lacing in the glass.

Smell: Where's the simcoe? A good bit of alcohol is noticeable on the nose with some fruity hops, but it doesn't smell distinctively like simcoe. Pretty sweet.

Taste: Sweet and bitter, depending where it hits your tongue. Quite a bit of alcohol warmth on the finish, but not too much in the taste. Not really what I was expecting.

This isn't an awful beer, but it needs a new name, I think. Surprisingly boozy and sweet. Not as simcoe forward as I was expecting and hoping.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 16:34:14 | More by Alextricity

tectactoe

Michigan

3.16/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Oak Cafe. Pours a somewhat cloudy and dull golden color with a half-inch white head that leaves really nice lacing on the glass, even just as it's settling at the top. The head is magnificent, although I with the color of the beer was a bit more lively and vibrant.

The aroma is a bit subdued and hidden - it takes quite a few whiffs to really gets something appreciable out of here. At first I'm picking up almost a weird pickled garlic type aroma... That can't be right, can it?? After a bit of warming, some more aromas thankfully arrive; herbal and leafy hops, light hints of white pepper. A bit medicinal on the nose, as well. Overall, I'm not completely digging the aroma here.

Meh, and the taste is nothing special either. It gives off a sharp clove spice with a brash, harsh bitterness that empowers its way through the spices at the start. The bitterness is formed through a combination of earthy hops and a heavy dirt flavor. The hop profile is so leafy and ashy and it's just not mingling well on my palate.

There also seems to be a slight chalky character that couples with the medicinal aroma to create a somewhat off-putting collaboration. Mild bubblegum flavors pop at the end, most likely from the Belgian yeast used. I know this is supposed to mimic a "Belgian IPA", but I feel like they tried too hard and it just didn't work out. Medium-thin body with lots of carbonation.

Kuhnhenn puts out some great beers. Some fantastic beers. This is neither. This is barely above average at best. Too many weird aromas and flavors that just didn't play well together, and definitely didn't agree with my palate. I'll pass on this one next time.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 12:58:40 | More by tectactoe

smalenberg

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

From a growler less than an hour old in a standard pint.

A - Thin white head on pale orange body.

S - Very complex. Tropical fruit (pineapple), citrus but not grapefruit (perhaps no cascade?), some light malty sweetness and hint of Belgian candy sugars. If you really hunt for it, there is some of that simcoe character is sometime described as "cat urine", but it won't be a detractor unless it is something you are really sensitive to.

T - Sweet and bitter in an amazing balance. Must be experienced.

M - For a big beer, there is no alcohol heat. Medium body.

O - Amazing. IPA isn't my favorite style, but this interpretation is very very good. I expect the freshness of having this from a new growler may account for my score being substantially higher than the average. If you have the means to try it on tap, don't miss it.

Serving type: growler

12-07-2012 23:24:18 | More by smalenberg

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Kuhnhenn, into a tulip.

Orangey red, with a white head, thin ring of bubbles and some spots of lace. Nose of Simcoe, citrus and orange zest and a mild "pulpy" character. Belgian yeast spiciness comes through prominently as well. Taste has sweet malt, more Simcoe orange-y zest and Belgian yeast in the finish retaining a good bit of sweetness. Medium full body, slight chewy texture and medium carbonation. Delicious flavour profile, one of my favourite hoppy Kuhnhenn offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 18:29:44 | More by liamt07

cosmicevan

New York

3.95/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

consumed on 7/13, while I was "on Hiatus." sampled at the wonderful Tap and Barrel establishment that I just recently discovered. brew arrived in a tulip and had a deep orange look with a thin head. smells strongly of belgian candied sugar. this beer is a really nice belgian pale ale. taste is again of sweet belgian yeast, but nicely balanced by the hops. great carbonation and feel. very enjoyable and easy drinker. the booze is definitely present but not as intense as some other kuhnhenn offerings, but certainly noticeable, but at 9 percent, one would expect some booziness. great offering from kuhnhenn and even more excited about finding this lovely establishment.

on-tap

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2012 01:42:31 | More by cosmicevan

mltobin

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at DeCicco`s in Brewster , New York.

Appearance is mainly orange, some amber with a nice one finger head atop it. The nose contains citrus fruit, hops, yeast, a very pleasant smell to it. Sipping on this high abv ipa and I taste grapes, fruit, candy, hops. This is a nice tasting beer, albeit a bit boozy. Mouthfeel is medium, a bitter and sweet finish. If you come across it, I recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 23:00:06 | More by mltobin

Durge

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark, cloudy amber tea color with a solid white head and nice lacing. The aroma brings a nice tea clove and banana/citrus hop. Mild but very nice. The flavor brings a sweet banana bubblegum and grassy wheat grain with a lemony touch throughout. Maybe an orange idea too. This is medium-plus bodied with a pretty thick feel over tiny carbonation that brings a tingly addition. The citrus banana bread is different, it's a Belgian ale that’s sweet and unique. Not disappointing though I’m not sure I’d pay another $18 a half growler for a repeat performance, but arguably worth it. Nice!

Serving type: growler

06-25-2012 18:14:35 | More by Durge

merc7186

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured on tap at J.Ryans in Syracuse NY poured into a pint glass.

A: Hazy Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Some Lacing

S: Belgian Yeast, Blend of Tropical Fruits, Mild Belgian Sugar

T: Belgian Sugar, Mango, Peach, Mint

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Semi Sweet

Overall, I was a little caught off guard because I got very little hops that were eventually overwhelmed by sweet flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 02:43:36 | More by merc7186

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a hazy, cloudy amber copper color with no head and a very thin micro-lacing of foam. Looks like mayhem in a glass.

S - Musty, spicy, Belgian caramel malt. Simcoe hops are nowhere to be found in the nose of this is the main hop event for this beer (based on the name). Some mild banana in the nose as well.

T - Bananas, cloves, spices, and a little bready. The citrus is there from the Simcoe but it's very subdued and buried. I do credit this beer for completely hiding the alcohol.

M - Thick medium, gentle carbonation on the tongue, lingering spice and banana aftertaste.

O - Based on the name, I was expecting more bitterness. Overall, a decent beer, but too thick for a Belgian style and not bitter enough for an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 21:54:04 | More by jzeilinger

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy to cloudy copper in color. It poured with a thin yet dense off white head that also coated the sides of the glass.
S: There are aromas of bananas and citrus in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of bananas and citrus. Little if any bitterness is noticeable.
M: It feels medium-bodied and slightly chewy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is quite interesting for the style due to the flavors of bananas from the yeast. It seems like it could use a little more hop flavors and associated bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 03:08:33 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at Mugs Alehouse in Brooklyn, NY

A: Pours a hazy golden orange in color with a half finger tall creamy light beige head. The head reduces to a thin layer over the entire surface of the beer and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Light fruits (apple and pear), some hints of tropical fruits, banana, clove, and some light citrus hops.

T: Slightly fruity with lots of banana and some hints of clove (probably from the Belgian yeast used). The citrus hops are present but do not leave an overly bitter flavor.

M: Light to medium bodied with light amounts of carbonation.

O: Another really good beer from a quality American brewer doing European style beers. Very easy to drink and quite enjoyable with a really interesting flavor combination.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 16:39:35 | More by dbrauneis

warnerry

Michigan

3.35/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours hazy deep golden brown with one finger of creamy off-white head. Head has amazing retention and coats the glass with lacing.

S - Pretty big bubblegum aroma, tropical fruits and slight earthiness.

T - Taste is creamy bubblegum, spicy yeast with tropical fruits. Wish the hops were more pronounced. Interesting, and very creamy.

M - Mouthfeel is creamy medium with some drying spicy yeast on the finish.

O - Guess I expected more hops, but this is quite fruity and spicy. The yeast component is nice, and this is probably the creamiest pale ale I've had. Interesting, but probably not something I would go back to.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 17:57:55 | More by warnerry

minterro

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

from notes at Kuhnhenn's brewery

Moderately hoppy, spicy, very yeasty and bits of bubblegum. It was a complex smell but it wasn't as pleasing as it sounds. Great lacing, cloudy orange colored beer, no lively bubles rising up.

Very yeasty, spicy, sweet, medium bodied, moderately low carbonated. Well hidden abv. Very sweet. Background floral hops.
Don’t really know what to base it on or what to expect from the style (Pale American Belgo style), but it was better then the tangerine wit and the loco yokel that my gf and my dad tried. Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 16:45:06 | More by minterro

oline73

Maryland

2.6/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I had this on-tap at the brewpub. Poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber color with a ring of creamy off white head that leaves some lacing.

Smell: Mild banana and a bit buttery with some malt sweetness. Not picking up much as far as the hops go.

Taste: Malt with some citrus hops and banana. The buttery smell carries over and makes it seem that this one is a bit off.

Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thick side of medium with a dry finish.

Overall: The weird off flavor took over this beer for me. It could have been good, but just didn't get there.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2011 04:30:16 | More by oline73

Gmann

New York

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From my notes taken on 9/15.

Pours a dirty golden brown color with a smallish white head.

The aroma is very sweet. Big tropical fruit presence, sugary to go along with a flowery and powdery spice. The aroma fringes on cloying.

The taste is of a sweet caramel malt, candi sugar, and candied tropical fruit. A nice grapefruit hop flavor but doesn't really mix well with the malt. Too sweet overall.

The beer has a moderate feel, it is sweet but doesn't quite reach the level of cloying.

Typical average american made BIPA. Heavy on the tropical fruit hops. A sweet malt to go along with a tropical fruit hop profile just doesn't do it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 18:18:30 | More by Gmann

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Barcade, poured into a tulip.

A: Slightly hazed, deep orange body with a cap of fine tan foam. Ok retention, light lace. Pretty good.

S: Very nice mixture of yeasty spice/fruit and citrus hops. Clean, big, and inviting.

T: Sweet caramel malt + honey; banana, apple, clove, and bubblegum yeastiness; a bitter, grapefruity hop finish. A little boozy on the aftertaste. Quite tasty.

M: Medium body, tons of carbonation. A bit much, but not too bad for the style.

O: I didn't realize this was a BSPA when I ordered it, and was expecting a DIPA. The surprise was not a bad one, though, as the hops and yeast went quite well together. Solid beer.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 04:24:59 | More by woosterbill

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tap at bronx ale house

Lighter creamy almost 1 finger head fades slowly with some nice lacing, clear auburn amber orange brown color.

Nose is loaded with fresh fruit, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, light citrus, hint of sweet malts, not what I was expecting at all.

Taste also loaded with tropical fruit as well, pineapple, mango, bit of grapefruit, some tropical fruit and citrus hop flavors, touch of bitterness. Malts fill out the background quite a bit with a full mouth and kick of booze. Finishes a bit more bitter, more hop kick and less fruit, bit drier but sticky and more booze.

Mouth is heavier full bodied decent carb, warming slight tingly booze.

Overall a very interesting beer, lots of tropical fruits, nice hop flavor, good malty backbone with kick of booze. I could put back a few of these despite the abv.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 02:29:42 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 09/27/11 notes. Had on tap at The Ginger Man in NYC. Tried side by side with the Kuhnhenn Rice DIPA.

a - Pours a clear dark orange color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of fruity malts, caramel malts, but pretty light on both. Not bad, just not very strong.

t - Tastes of fruity malts, caramel malts, bready malts, and light spice and yeast. A big step up from the nose, nice and fruity.

m - Medium body and low carbonation, with a super smooth and creamy body. Very easy to drink.

o - Overall I liked this one, thought the RDIPA was better. Wish the nose was a bit stronger, but the taste and mouthfeel made up for it. Would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 20:45:21 | More by mdfb79

BrainDad

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is not a beer I thought I would like so much. We ordered a sampler of IPAs and Stouts, and this stood out.

Color is good, moderate head with nice lacing. The aroma is more herbal than citrus. The flavor is quite complex, with lighter fruits and spice instead of grapefruit. I am getting a nice flavor I would characterize as cardamom. Delicious!

I had a sample of their DRIPA at the same time and, while I like that style more overall, I was taken in by the smooth flavor and finish. In fact, I'm ordering a full glass after sharing the sampled with the wife.

If you normally prefer the more citrusy strong IPAs, I would recommend switching out to this every now and again. I've had a number of Michigan Simcoe varieties, and this is definitely the best

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2011 19:54:09 | More by BrainDad

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

**2008** Vintage bottling thanks to Dany (glouglouburp on Ratebeer). 12oz brown glass pry-top bottle, with paper label and vintage on front.

Gushes on opening. Pours amber with thick, susdsy, creamy khaki head. Nose is dominated by a bretty, funkiness. Smells like citrus and pine boards.

Palate is crisp and tart, with woody astringency. Carbonation is deeply integrated and explosive. Flavors of pale malt, wood boards, saw dust, lime and lemon juice, lemon zest.

I don't think this should be sour based on other reviews, but it also doesn't look like a beer that is traditionally aged, so who knows. Maybe it was a different beer in 08? Anyone have any insight, BM me. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 04:02:49 | More by SFLpunk

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This beer pours out as a golden yellow color with a thin head to start off with. The head fades away pretty quickly. The aroma was a little hoppy, I expected it to be a little stronger on the nose. The taste was also a little lighter than expected but it was strong in the aftertaste. The Simcoe hops really shine through on the back end of this beer. The mouthfeel is average, it's not thick or watery so much. It's just about right. Pretty good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2011 17:15:52 | More by Knapp85

olympuszymurgus

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Paired with a slab of half raw meat, blue cheese and salty fries, a fine weekday lunch.

An awesome milky consistency, opaque and creamy in look with a fine white head. Sadly though, I am getting nothing in the nose from this, just a slight grassy yeast and a little hop resin.

Taste is good, an enjoyable pale but doesn't live up to the name. I ordered "Simcoe Silly" so I expect a slap of simcoe. Disappointing, but given a different non-misleading name, I would have really dug it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2011 16:28:27 | More by olympuszymurgus

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.2/5  rDev -43.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Reviewed from notes.

Poured a moderate orange-copper color with a white head that didn't last long at all and really didn't provide any sort of lacing. The nose was just a mess with some yeast going atop some pine and floral hops and the floral hops taking on a grassy, medicinal astringency. The taste was a bit worse with a bit of alcohol and the flavors just clashing completely. Alcohol in the feel. This just did not drink well and was unfortunately not a good beer. I'd like to think I just got this at the wrong time and would be up for trying it again, as I'm normally a fan of pretty much everything that Kuhnhenn does.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2010 12:46:19 | More by Thorpe429

Bubba83

California

3.15/5  rDev -19%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottle provided by Kegatron, thanks!

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tumbler at 45 degrees. Kuhnhenn's labels never have any information, and I figured this was an IPA, so I used a tumbler. Now that I realize this is a Belgian Strong Pale, I wish I had used a tulip.

Pours a super hazy burnt orange color with hardly any head at all. A super vigorous pour only yielded maybe 1 finger width of bright white creamy froth. Retention is okay, and lacing is mediocre.

Smells pretty interesting, with a lot of honey, caramely sweetness coming through. There's plenty of clove here as well as black pepper and some spicy phenolic character too. The alcohol sting is apparent in the nose as well. I get a sprucey aroma here too, but it's sort of in the background. Nice and complex.

Taste-wise I was a little let down after the aroma, it comes off pretty darn sweet with a lot of caramelized honey type flavors. This fades into some medicinal type components, followed by some clove-like spice and earth. I've never been a huge fan of simcoe hops, and I don't understand what they are contributing here. There's maybe some juniper bush flavor from them, but otherwise, we just finish up with some alcohol heat and more phenols.

The mouthfeel seems a bit too thick, and it is also pretty wet. I much prefer my Belgian Strong Pales to be dry, medium-bodied, and pop a bit in my mouth. The carbonation just isn't really showing up to the party at all.

It drinks okay for a beer of its strength I guess, but the alcohol isn't covered up all that well. Because of the wet finish I'm not finding it refreshing and I am not eager to get to the next sip. So far my least favorite Kuhnhenn beer I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 07:35:30 | More by Bubba83

jrallen34

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the brewery into a tulip...One of the few disappointments on an otherwise outstanding night...Pours a very dark orange, almost brown. Tope head, good lacing and retention. Aroma is light hops, notes of cloves, banana and bubblegum. Super sweet here, not in a good way at all. The taste is also way to sweet, banana and bubblegum, a total lack of hops. Wheat finish...The feel is ok, not easy to drink just way to sweet. This is not a pale ale...This beer is really not good, needs to be much more balanced with hops. If you want bubblegum get a gumballhead.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2010 02:40:43 | More by jrallen34