Gateway Kolsch - French Broad Brewing Co.

RedChrome

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A very light golden color with a faint haze. Huge white head takes minutes to settle down. Tons of carbonation bubbles rising rapidly.

Grain husks and white raisin scents assault the nose on inhalation. A light earthy grass scent in the back of the nostrils. Hints of hops fade in and out.

Very dry crispy malt flavor on the tongue. Taste has a very mixed coating to it, both metallic and plastic. Hops do provide a decent amount of bitterness.

Tastes cling, but the overall feel is watery. Carbonation is a nice burst on the tongue.

An OK brew. Would work well with a nice piece of lemon grilled whitefish. Not the best choice in the style. IF you like kolsch give it a try, otherwise, look for something else.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 04:26:46 | More by RedChrome

mklinger

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this at Lupi's in Chattanooga. Served in a pint glass. Super bright pale golden beer. Nice inch thick head that left good lacing behind.

Aroma was fine & subtle. Lots of slightly bready malt character. Some hop character, though not a lot. This is a beer that isn't so much about the aroma, though what's there is solid.

Taste was very refreshing. Lots of pilsener malt character with good earthy/herbal hops afterwards & finishing with just a complement of hop bitterness. Decent slightly acidic character too from the fairly ample carbonation.

Light mouthfeel, thin & refreshing with a good amount of carbonation. Very easy to drink on a hot summer's day

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2010 01:47:31 | More by mklinger

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An oldie but goodie that I had not had in a long while from French Broad. Decided to pick up a bomber on my last trip. Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 03/08/2010.

The pour was nice, very cloudy and bright with a big white head of foamy froth that billowed up from the bottom of the glass through ample streams of carbonation. Nice golden color and when held up into the light really seemed to shine very nicely. Great looking for the style. Light aroma, to be expected with light hints of citrus and banana, a touch of clove and light grain, much more citrus coming through then I remember. Crisp, clean, light, this is how you start off the afternoon! Really very nicely done here with a crisp and clean flavor. Light grassy notes, hints of citrus flavors all over give it a touch of a bite, light banana and grain in the finish round it out well. Nicely done just as I remembered as the lightly dry finish begged me in for just a touch more. Super drinkable and really just a fine example of the style.

Overall a superb session offering from them, I could have seriously gone on with this one for days. Really just a good example of the style and really nicely done

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 01:57:22 | More by mikesgroove

glid02

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased from Mac's in Atlanta.

Pours a clear golden color with a half-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of sweet light malts with a mild biscuit quality and light floral hops.

Tastes similar to how it smells. The malt flavors are a bit sweeter than the smell intimated however the hops bring in just a bit of bitterness and slightly leafy flavors that balance it out. The ending is crisp and slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall this is a solid beer for the style, very clean and crisp. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2010 23:03:22 | More by glid02

drunkboxer1

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A golden colored pour with a thin white head. Smells nice, flowery noble hops clearly dominating. Tastes a lot like those same hops and with a faint sweetness of pale malts. I like it a lot, and would buy it again, but I feel like it was meant to be drank on tap. So I might hold out for that as opposed to grabbing another bomber when I'm in town.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 19:52:26 | More by drunkboxer1

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured with one finger of white head on top of a yellow body with good clarity. Good head retention and lace.

S - Light bready malt with some honey sweetness, but no noticeable hops.

T - Slightly sweet malt up front with a little bread richness. Very light, herbal hop flavors in the middle with a bit of honey. Finishes light and herbal with more bready malt.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly dry finish.

D - This is a nice, drinkable and smooth kolsch. There is nothing complex here, but that is just right for the style. A nice, simple session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 08:44:10 | More by nickfl

mtstatebeer

West Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle. Pours a clear and effervescent light golden color with a nice sized, frothy white head, good lacing. Aroma is pale malts, wheat, light citrus, grain, and grass. Flavor is sweet grain, bread, yeast, and a light hoppy finish. Mouthfeel is dry, bitter, and light. Not a whole lot of flavor here, but a very crisp and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2009 03:06:45 | More by mtstatebeer

nlmartin

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer came my way via my Secret Santa Ding. Big time thanks! The beer was served in a pint glass. The beer was a pleasure from start to finish.

Appearance: The body of the beer is clear straw yellow. The head is a thick white foam. The head retention is perfect.

Smell: A pleasant combination of floral hops, lemon and a bit of clove ride a malty biscuit.

Taste: The flavor of the beer is floral up front a bit grassy nice subtle lemon. The malt profile is biscuity. A bit of pepperyness coming in at mid flavor perhaps cloves.

Mouthfeel / Drinkability: The body of the beer is light. The carbonation levels work well with the beer. This is an excellent flavorful beer. Many people may like this beer on a hot day. I am thinking this beer would be good on any day of the week. Thanks again Ding!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 23:31:27 | More by nlmartin

Tiklmelmo

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -14%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle from gford217 in SS09

A - Very cloudy straw yellow. Bigtime gusher (even when opened pretty darn cold)

S - Smell is much better. Nice noble hop aroma with some fruitiness from the yeast.

T - Crisp, refreshing, follows closely to the nose with pears and a little bit of hops. Little bit of an odd aftertaste though.

M - Highly carbonated and very light. Nothing special on the mouthfeel.

D - Great lawnmower beer. I could see drinking this on a hot summer day. Goes down easy.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2009 02:23:38 | More by Tiklmelmo

brentk56

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A gusher, with a huge head of foam atop the hazy straw colored liquid; nice stickage

Smell: Biscuity, with a bit of lemongrass in the background

Taste: Bready, up front, with a growing grassy, lemony character appearing by mid-palate; after the swallow, the floral, bitter elements dominate but there is a bit of residual sweetness from the malt

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body but overcarbonated

Drinkability: Aside from the mouthfeel, this is a very nice example of the style as it is well-balanced and flavorful

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 18:56:50 | More by brentk56

srandycarter

California

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Light straw, slightly murky, small near white head leaves to thin bubbly disk.

S - Barny, sharp, deeper malt notes underneath.

T - Crisp, a little funk, finishes clean and snappy.

M - Light body, medium coating, good carb.

D - Easy enough to drink, just doesn't keep my interest.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2009 04:21:21 | More by srandycarter

everetends

Alabama

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this one up at Hop City in Atlanta for just a little over 4 dollars I think. Served up in the slimmest glass I had.

A: Well, you certainly should be careful when you pour this thing. Got a huge gas escape when I popped the cap and the first pour was nearly all foam. When it settled as well possible, I was left with a glass with about 4 fingers of head and then another two fingers of foam sitting well above the mouth of the glass. That is quite impressive for sure. The foam starts to seperate and becomes bigger and bigger foam bubbles that make a spider web of thinning foam. This foam really sticks all over the glass. Now to the actual beer. Got very pilsner yellow in appearance. Very pale and very macro as far as color but that is somewhat expected. This beer does have one of the most active carbonations I have ever seen in an appearance. The carbonation bubbles are just so plentiful and fast moving.

S: Pretty basic in this department but still has a good size to the aroma. First off you get the big time floral hops aroma coming out that have a bit of bitterness kicking around in here. Then you can get the very pale and lightly bready malt smells coming out. Very light spice coming in here, maybe a bit of pepper. Other than that, nothing really to report here. Although it is basic, the aroma is pretty in your face. Makes it a pleasure to get the nose next to the glass for each sip.

T: A bit better than the aroma but still light and enjoyable. Getting the floral hops first again in this arena. They are lightly perfumey and has a nice bite to it. Just a touch of citrus coming behind the floral. Light malts that just act to balance things out a bit. Mostly pale here, nice and earthy. After that there is a nice fruity quality. Pretty much tastes like white grape and apple skins with maybe just a touch of juice still on them. Everything is light and balanced which I believe is what I am looking for in a beers flavor.

M: Very light in body, almost watery at times. The carbonation is high, very high. Very crisp and oh so refreshing. Has a bit of bitterness but is mostly dry in here. ABV is light and feels a lot lighter than the displayed 5.3%, I actually can't believe its that high. Aftertaste are those nice fruits and a touch of hops.

D: You know, I can see why they named this Gateway. This would be an easy beer to get a BMC drinker hooked on. It has that BMC look as far as color, but has just enough more in the flavor department to show you beer can have bigger flavors but not crazy enough to scare newbs away. Big carbonation makes this easy drinking and that foamy and carbonated look is really cool. Good warm weather beer that quenches, what else do you people want?

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2009 05:43:21 | More by everetends

beer2day

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours light gold with a nice one and one half fingert head. Good retention.

Nose is very crisp and clean. Crackers come through the most for me, saltines. Slightly lemony and a nice mellow malt hint.

Very crisp hit. Nice malty sweetness with some flowery presence. Slight, slight bitters present in the finish. Again, very clean.

Mouth is very appropriate for the style. Just chewy enough. Not thin at all.

Drinking this in the mountains around Asheville. Would taste just as good at the beach.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2009 02:15:16 | More by beer2day

LauraAlberts

South Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought this beer at City Beverage while in Winston Salem for a friends wedding.

Hot and sweaty from working in the yard. It's 90 degrees outside - came in and ate some salty chips - ready for thirst quencher - this one passed the test!

Appearance: Cloudy - Amber - Really nice retention and lacing down the glass

Smell: Mushroom - Spice - Coriander

Taste: Very smooth - nice dryness on the end that eludes to the German-ness of this style. Very enjoyable. Nice spice - coriander.

Mouthfeel: A little Dry - Bitter on the finish - my favorite part of this beer.

Drinkability: very drinkable - very sessionable. I love this kolsch - will recommend this to friends - I wish we got this in Charleston - great for the weather.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 19:42:07 | More by LauraAlberts

PhillyStyle

Georgia

2.85/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22 oz bottle

Poured a hazy dark yellow with a huge white head that was very well retained that receded into a thin cap that lasted throughout the beer. The beer did have noticeable particles floating in the beer. To be honest, I expected the beer to be perfectly clear.

Aroma is mainly bready and citrus tones. No hops to mention. Definitely not what I had in mind for the style. It reminded me more of a Belgian Witbier than a Kolsch.

Taste follows the nose well, what I did not get was any hint of hop or bitterness to the taste at all.

The beer is light, smooth and easy to drink. The beer did have very good and very prevalent carbonation, and this was not a determent to the beer. The beer left a dry aftertaste, which I had expected, but it was somewhat unappealing. Overall, this may be a decent summer beer, but it reminds me of Blue Moon and not a Kolsch, especially after my first was Reissdorf Kölsch.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2009 17:53:01 | More by PhillyStyle

maximum12

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Rec'd from gford217 during the now legendary FC BIF, along with three other bombers from this brewery I'd never heard of. Thanks Grant!

This brew is macro golden with only a smallish bit of head on the pour. Smell is mild to the point of having on odor only existentially. Shadow of wheat grains in the nostrils.

Gateway is crisp, clean, refreshing. Hey Bud, Michelob, Coors - this is what your beers should taste like! A quick, simple style that would be great on a hot day with the grill spitting the smell of venison brats in my face & a bit of sweat on the back of my neck. Drinkability is insanely high; this could easily be pounded by any Wisconsin small-town homey (& I mean that fondly for all my Miller-pounding WI friends in the cheap seats) or savored sip-by-sip with the geek crowd.

Very nice. If French Broad can make a kolsch this appealing, I'm looking forward to the other three bombers resting in the basement.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 01:52:05 | More by maximum12

oberon

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

What a perfect after work beer to be had here in my mind mind.Poured into a standard pint glass a slight hazed light golden, like sunshine basically,with a thin wispy white head.Aromas of toasted grain with some fruity esters,crisp mouthfeel and flavors,quite toasty with a bit of honey-like sweetness and shot of sharp zing in the finish.A highly quaffable pleasent drinking kolsch,again a perfect after work or hot day brew with real flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2009 20:53:12 | More by oberon

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Happy to see this brewery in Atlanta now. I like their focus on some underappreciated styles, and the fact that they make quite a few low alcohol beers. This beer is a case in point. Wonderfully refreshing and very nicely balanced with a nice crisp bitterness and some soft grassiness. Really very close to what it should be for the style with a pilsner bitterness and crispness but kolsch softness overall. Pours a very pale yellow with little head, but the proof is in the drinkability. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2009 01:07:31 | More by Georgiabeer

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear, light yellow body with an inch of white foam that thins out almost instantly.

Smell: Nose of sweetened grains and fragrant, floral Noble hop aromas.

Taste: Light pale maltiness, lightly sweet, and with a slight hint of unrefined grain. Mild, indistinct fruitiness. Floral, even grassy hop character with a nice bite of Noble hop bitterness. Light touch of sweetened grains on the drying finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Easy-drinking and keenly refreshing -- just what I want from a Kölsch.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 22:47:20 | More by ChainGangGuy

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The 22-ounce bomber bottle poured into my Kolsch cylinder produces a clear pale gold body livened by a storm of internal carbonation that feeds a towering cap of bright white foam. The resultant head recedes very slowly and deposits copious rings and soft blobs of 3-D lacing onto the glass.

The smell is mild with a touch of fruity grain and a solid buzz of spicy German-style hopping. A lightly-toasted nuttiness is present throughouth the encounter, and becomes stronger and toastier as the drink progresses.

The taste is quite nutty and replete with mild toasted notes of warm grain, medium-sweet toffee candy and just a tad of caramel. Mellow herbal bitterness is quite mild, but a fine, dusty, perfectly-proportional earthiness dries the finish and balances the drink nicely.

French Broad's tasty new formulation of their Kolsch is light-medium in body, perfectly carbonated and highly quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2009 22:12:40 | More by cvstrickland