Endless River - Mother Earth Brewing

devilben02

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Maybe because of a few bad examples of the style I've had before, I had convinced myself that Kölsch is just not a style I enjoy. This beer makes me consider rethinking my stance.

Pours a crystal golden color that is quite similar to a glass of apple juice with a substantial, cream-colored head that leaves a sticky trail along the wall of the glass long after it has evaporated. The aroma is crisp and inviting, with a hint of hops that is earthy (and approaching musty) and a sweetness that I would again compare to apple juice or maybe a semi-sweet white wine.

The flavor is definitely beer, though. The dry sweetness from the aroma isn't as apparent, as I am more aware of the soft, earthy hop character and a bit of biscuit from the malt and yeast. The texture is quite smooth, but at the same time pleasantly tingly with its soft carbonation. Overall, this one is mild without being watery, making it a light and enjoyable selection.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 15:28:10 | More by devilben02

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The stylishly-clad 12-ounce bottle pours brightly-clear and pale golden with a torrent of lazy streamers of internal carbonation feeding a finger-thick bone-white head. A fine-grained sheet tattered to lacing etches the passing of the drink onto the inner walls of my Kolsch cylinder.

The aroma is snappy and white wine-like with a touch of mellowing unidentifiable floral fruitiness. The sweet light-kilned malty backbone is augmented with a grassy herbal hop note.

The flavor is mildly vinous without acidity, softly malty-sweet, and a touch fruity. An assertive, floral-grassy hop bitterness kicks in right away and takes command of the ship in the drying finish.

The drink is light-bodied, softly carbonated, and extremely easy to drink. Good beer, classy labeling and such, but a bit expensive at over 12 bucks a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 15:56:16 | More by cvstrickland

wagenvolks

Texas

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle (courtesy of a trade with atsprings) into a Michelob pilsner glass--currently the closest thing I own to a strange.

"Endless Rivers" of carbonation rise up through a clear, straw-golden body. Small yeast particles are stratified throughout, while the eggshell-white head starts small and retreats to an asymmetrical patch of large bubbles. Scant lacing. Sharp, crisp aromas of pilsner malt and herbal, grassy hops with a mineral-rich backing. Hints of white grape juice and orange peel thrown in the mix as well.

Somewhat bland flavor, even for a kölsch, and even as Endless River warms. Saltine crackers and pilsner malt lay down a light, bready foundation upon which a sharp, grassy hop bitterness is built (soapy-tasting on the way back up). Carbonation is big and bubbly, contrasting nicely against the light body, and adds a snappy, zesty, almost drying bite to the finish. An easy-drinking kölsch, for sure, but I expected a bit more out of Mother Earth considering the steep price tag and the precedent set by their Sisters of the Moon IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 06:27:03 | More by wagenvolks

kkipple

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle picked up from the wondrous Brawley's Beverage.

A. Crrrrystal clear light gold. Light and fluffy white head that sadly doesn't last long. Very fizzy in the glass. Other than the sadly gone-too-soon head, nice looking.

S. Mineral water-ish, light and floral, notes of honey, pale malt sweetness and ever-so mild hop bitterness. Light, refreshing, quite clean.

T. Delicious and quite to style. Light and floral, dry, fine interplay of hops and delicate malt. Everything is quite balanced, the mark of a good (read: restrained) recipe. Well-attenuated Good water, or something, this is quite soft and easy to drink. No DMS, not overly hopped -- a fine example of a good (fresh!) Kolsch.

M / D. Possibly under-carbonated, otherwise light bodied, dry, refreshing with a fine hop-bitter and gentle malt sweetness. Easy to return to again and again.

This is quite frankly hard to improve on for the classic Kolsch style, which is growing on me by leaps and bounds. This was fresh (and has a bottled-on date, fantastic!) which is half the battle with getting good Kolsch. This takes a more traditional tack than say, Coast's 32/50. My advice to the Powers-that-Brew:

Improve head longevity and head retention.
Take a look at carbonation in bottle, perhaps increase it?

And bingo! A classic East-Coast Kolsch. Right now, I'm hard pressed to think of one I've enjoyed much more than Endless River.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2009 23:01:33 | More by kkipple

atsprings

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Flying Saucer Raleigh on Nov. 30 served in a standard pint glass and reviewed from notes. Served a crisp straw yellow with a thin diminishing head. Aroma is sweet malts and Earthy hops, taste is more of the same, holding pretty true to the style. The beer is quite light, crisp, smooth and refreshing. This one was quite enjoyable, one I'd love to enjoy more of, especially in the warmer months.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2009 09:31:14 | More by atsprings

callisbeers

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I will start by saying that this is generally not my style of beer but I bought a mixer of all their beers. Also, this should probably be reviewed during the summer months after a long, hot day outside. I found this beer to be very refreshing and light. Beautiful gold color with a nice head on top. Everything tasted just right. I may have this as my go to summer beer when they put it on tap for home kegs.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2009 20:21:54 | More by callisbeers