Endless River - Mother Earth Brewing

daliandragon

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy straw color with off white head. Visible carbonation slows after the initial rush. Lace is wet but persistent. Nose is crystal malt and spicy hops with a grapeskin vibe.

Full bodied flavor with biscuit notes that matures into a noble hop finish and a clean aftertaste. Carbonation is a little high in my eyes but I realize that is being true to the style. A lot to like here, overall. Not a thin yellow lager, this has complexity and drinkability, and certainly qualifies as refreshing as well. i'm not sure i'd drink it mowing the lawn but certainly after.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:43:06 | More by daliandragon

burnheartsMKE

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It pours a light golden blonde like a morning sunrise pushing through the hazy morning dew. An inviting aroma of toasted wheat bread gently reminds me I picked the perfect beer. Light in taste with a slight sweet hop spice perfectly placed at the end each sip. Inoffensive in every way possible. Kinder than a Michelob Ultra but made to be enjoyed rather than profited from.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 18:35:17 | More by burnheartsMKE

smakawhat

Maryland

4.21/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a small stange glass.

A real nice golden and supper brassy body. Lots of sticking cola carbonation and crystal clear, with some small rising as well. Eventually the cola bubbles disappear leaving a mix of small and fast rising bubbles . Head is bleach white and very soapy, but has real good staying power even after a good period of time and rest. A real nice looking brew.

Nose is a bit of sticky yeast. There's a bit of earth quality to this with a mild earthy soily dirt and hop front. Hints of toasty white bread and baked oven quality. Fairly solid.

Palate hits the right notes. Light bodied with a wine like dry white simple table but without the sourness. Crisp malt and a fruity grape like finish, but gives a great toasted white bread taste. Extremely clean, but has a real solid malt backbone. Malt aspect creeps up slowly, not much of a big rush though, but subtle and pleasant.

Overall a real solid Kölsch, and probably one of the few that I've had that reminds me of ones that are German. Always in search of the ultimate Kölsch, the Kwest continues in earnest.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:41:57 | More by smakawhat

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

P-Thanks to my buddy Trask for this brew!

A- some what clear yellow green in color. Anice fluffy head that is about a finger with nice sticky lacing on the pint.

S- doughy floral hops. This is very nice, love the aroma. light on the malt as well.

T- A very nice floral and biscuity flavor. This is very smooth and very good. A perfect complement i dare say.

M- light and creamy. It is very smooth yet slightly chewy.

O- Honestly one of the best Kolsch's i have ever had....phenomenal!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 18:08:52 | More by Dodo2step

tchenery

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice bright yellow color. Very clear. Little to no head except a tight lace around the rim.

There's really little to no aroma coming off for me.

The beer has a very crisp taste, very bubbly, dry, light malt flavor with a sharp bitterness on the end.

Very refreshing. Very drinkable as well.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 22:42:21 | More by tchenery

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle from Bruisin' Ales in Asheville, North Carolina. Bottled on: 08/10

Appearance: Pours a faintly hazed, golden body with a large, sudsy, near white head.

Smell: Sweetish, grainy blend of pale and pils malts with notes of hillside flowers and citrusy lemons.

Taste: Pale malts with some light sugary flourishes and hints of crisp grains. Soft florals tones and a taste of lemon verbena. Light bitterness, then a pop of acidity. Medium minerality throughout. Touch of honeysuckle precludes the dry, crisp, yet still smooth finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation provides a modest bit of tingle on the tongue.

Drinkability: A fairly likable Kölsch. Good for the dog days of Summer, but suits me just fine during a coolish mid-afternoon in Autumn. Paired well enough with a grilled shrimp po' boy.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 15:47:56 | More by ChainGangGuy

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to crunkchiggin2002 for this interesting beer.

Pours a light fizzy 1/2 finger head that fades at a med pace with spotty lacing, over brilliantly clear golden straw yellow color.

NOse starts with light grainy malts, little straw and toasted hay, a pislner like nose to start, a hint of a fruitiness, slight wet hay like, just a touch of grassy hops I think. It almost seems like a pilsner like lager, not Kolsch.

Taste start with light grassy noble like hops interestingly, little fruitiness that builds and gives a weird but interesting tangy almost overripened borderline soured fruit flavor. Some light malts, little straw and toasted grain, hint of wet hay, all very light. A light clean and crisp demeanor, and juicy soft malt profile. Finish is is dry and crisp, a decent bitterness in the background with light grassy flavor, and a bit of that fruity slightly soured like flavor.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, soft and creamy, layered almost decoction like, decent carb.

Overall fairly impressed. Most places try to go overboard with a Kolsch, or way under and it has no flavor. For an ale this is loaded with lager like flavors which is great for a Kolsch. Nice malts, soft almost decoction layered feel, and interesting fruit flavor that gives and interesting and weird slight tangy like flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 18:00:06 | More by jlindros

Gilly1980

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brewery is local to me and I have been wanting to sample their wares for a while now. Pours a hazy pale yellow with a white head that is impressive at first but doesn't stick around. Smells of butter and biscuits with a hint of grass. The flavor is bright and pungent. Lots of malt up front and. Aftertaste is floral and herbal with a great hop tingle. Mouthfeel is robust and slightly filmy. Drinkability is great with a low alcohol content and great, well-balanced taste. However, at $9.99 a six pack I'll save this one for special occassions.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 22:29:59 | More by Gilly1980

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

bright golden yellow with a nice two finger head of white foam that quickly dissipated into a batch of nothing, a broken crown lining the sides was all that I would get out of this one. Nice carbonation and a bit of residual side lacing helped to push it over the top and made a really nice addition to the overall presence of it.

The aroma was rather bright and summer like, with a light grain and herb like fruit note in the nose. A touch of clove and banana highlighted this one and really did a nice job at bringing the whole thing together. The flavor was much of the same. Surprisingly sweet, with a touch of maybe honey or light caramel, hints of apple and light fresh hay. The banana coming though nicely on the finish with a quick, clean, and very crisp cutoff in the overall taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 03:32:02 | More by mikesgroove

kkipple

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
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

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (from Bruisin' Ales) into pint glass. Lucky to have grabbed two great local Kolsches in this trip - one of my favorite (and in my opinion, most underrated) styles around.

Pours pale yellow, a bit hazy, with a thinnish half-inch white fizzy head that settles into not much more than a batch of white suds fairly quickly.

Nose is a bit herbal, almost earthy, alongside a raw-grain-like super-pale malt note.

Taste is very clean - lightly sweet, grainy, ultra-pale malt note sets the perfect tone to pair with the light but bright fruity citrus notes, and subtle grassy hop presence. Maybe just a hint of sulphur. Finish carries just a bit of bitterness, more hop flavor than bitterness, some light cereal grainy notes. Really nicely put together beer that hits all the right notes.

Mouthfeel is medium-light, coarse but light carbonation, clean finish with just a bit of bitterness.

Drinkability is, as per usual for the style, excellent. Not quite on par with the COAST offering I just finished because of the minor sulphur presence, but really, there's not much of a limit as to how much of this I could drink before getting tired of it. Tasty, tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2010 20:57:58 | More by JohnQVegas

Kromes

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A nice clear light yellow/straw color with a thin white head.

S: Smells like a bit of sweet grainy malts with some of fruit (apple, grape) and earthy hop.

T: A smooth grainy malt flavor that transitions into a slight hop and grape seed flavor. The finish is like what you get when you bite into a grape seed. A little bit of grape, a little bit of earthy nutshell and a little bit bitter. It is actually quite good and grows on you.

M: Light and refreshing. A semi-dry finish.

O: A very distinct style of beer. I really enjoyed this. Usually beers this light do not have strong flavors, but this beer in particular is full flavored and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 21:58:55 | More by Kromes

mactrail

California

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Breezy crisp light ale.

Great aroma of alfalfa and that pollen smell of early fruit tree blossoms. Honey in the malt. Very light body. Really reminds me of Kolsch we tried in Germany; more authentic to me than some other American versions. Rather hoppy with a lingering bitterness. Tangy with nice hint of malt in the nose.

Tasted on tap at Louella's BBQ place in Asheville, NC. Worth a visit if you're hungry and want to try a decent selection of beers on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 03:27:16 | More by mactrail

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear pale straw color with a billowy cap of white foam; great retention and a moderate amount of lacing

Smell: Fresh grass and biscuit

Taste: Biscuity, up front, with just a hint of vanilla; a touch of fruit by mid-palate, but the hops are rather grassy; doesn't finish as crisp as the Germans, as a bit of the sweetness lingers on the palate

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Not particularly Germanic in style, but very approachable; a great summer crossover beer

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 22:22:34 | More by brentk56

callisbeers

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
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

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
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

devilben02

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
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

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark straw hue with a two finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light grassy hop and soft, yet grainy malt.

The taste well balanced with a relatively assertive noble hop and moderate grainy malt.

The mouthfeel was perfect for the style.

Overall a very well done kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 21:46:41 | More by plaid75

CBlack85

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my OMB stange

This beer pours a crystal clear pale yellow/straw color with a tall wispy white head that recedes rather quickly and leaves very little lacing.

The aroma is of bready grains and floral earthy hops. There is also a slight hint of sweet fruit and maybe a bit of honey. The nose is fairly light but quite inviting.

The taste is very much like the nose; bready and toasty grains and floral hops. Like the nose there is also a slightly sweet flavor, more honey than fruit. Light/medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Very easy to drink and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 17:20:43 | More by CBlack85

wedge

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sparkling pale yellow with a fluffy, lumpy pure-white head on top. Light, fresh pale malt aroma with soft grassy hops and a subtle apple and lemon frutiness. Lightly sweet cereal grain flavor finishing with a crisp bitterness. The hops are subtle and have an earthy, leafiness to them. Light, crisp, extremely drinkable...perfect for hot NC days. It's very simple, but well made. I like what these guys are doing...

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2010 02:50:54 | More by wedge

julian89

Georgia

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass after work.

Appearance: Pours a mild opaque golden yellow body with an inch white head, minimal lacing.

Smell: A nice blend of flowers and citrus, slightly overpowered by sweet pils and light malt.

Taste: Light pale malt throughout with crisp grain and flowery tones. Strong citrus notes with a subtle bitter yet smooth finish. A honey backing as well.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body and carbonation.

Drinkability: A pretty good Kölsch. Great way to end the work day at the beer store.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 16:21:38 | More by julian89

blackie

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: curved tyranena pint, pale golden in color, really thin head with almost no retention

s: clean lager body, crisp noble hop aroma, well structured kolsch

m: carbonation light-medium, lighter bodied

t: lager malt body, light and balanced without lacking flavor, ending with a crisp noble hop touch

d: no problem at all

single from Sam's, Durham

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2010 02:43:29 | More by blackie

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a clear yellow with a bright white fizzy head.

S-The nose reminds me of a pilsner, it smells like saaz hops and some malt. Nothing over powering at all.

T-Similar to the nose with the pilsner like flavor, but it is somewhat faint and then in the finish is a Belgian yeast flavor. I really liked the flavor of this beer, it is very refreshing.

M-Nice mouthfeel its not too watery/carbonated and not to syrupy.

D-Highly sessionable given its low abv. and flavor.

Overall, this was my first experience drinking a Mother Earth brew and I will be drinking more in the future. I actually picked up a six pack of their India Pale Ale this afternoon and can't wait to try it. Endless River seems like a great beer for Spring/Summer, especially for those such as myself who don't really care for wheat beers. I hope BA's in NC will support this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2010 20:46:24 | More by thegodfather2701

Tschnab

New York

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- bright golden color with a fluffy white head and light lace.

S- lots of lemon juice and zest, very light earthiness, grain, grass.

T- very light hop, good malt presence, and the those aforementioned citrusy grassy notes come in.

O- this beer shows that you can have great flavor with low alcohol. I wish I had this in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 15:08:05 | More by Tschnab

Mojo

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours up a pale straw with not much head and almost no lacing. It is clear enough to read a newspaper through. Smell is malt, biscuit, grasses, and floral. Taste is pretty sweet upfront followed by a nice, but mildly tangy finish. Not a whole lot of hops to it, but still nice. Not every beer has to be some massive hop bomb to be good. Mouthfeel is fairly full without a whole lot of carbonation. Not too shabby, especially if you are looking for something that is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 04:46:02 | More by Mojo