Karnival Kolsch - Stoudts Brewing Co.

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle

A - Light clear golden with a 2 finger creamy white head.

S - Sweet breadiness, hay, grassy hops. A bit grainy, somewhat floral.

T - Bready biscuit-like malts, grassy hops, grain, light citrus. Sweet up front, followed by a mild hop bite. Finishes a touch bitter with some citrus zest and grainy malt.

M - Light bodied, smooth, creamy. Crisp and refreshing, dry finish.

O - Flavorful, balanced, extremely drinkable. I like the simplicity. A great beer to sit back with on a warm spring day.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:19:37 | More by mooseo

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

It poured a clear and pale straw colour with a nice two finger head which dissipated fairly quick to a ring around the glass that leaves a cool "puffy graffiti art" sort of lacing on the glass before settling back to the ring.

The aroma is of pale sweet malts and faint apple.

The taste is a little more complex. It starts off sweet, but it's never really sweet because of the thin nature of the body. As you sip, your nose picks up honey in the aroma and as the beer moves across your tongue the earthy hops tantalize the sides and back of your tongue. Some VERY faint white grape or apple may be present and then the beer finishes dry and mild hoppy with some peppery lingering. NICE!

The mouthfeel is thin and mildly dry with some playful carbonation.

Overall I would say that this is an excellent representation of the style AND an exceedingly good choice of a beer for the warmer weather. This would also be a great crossover beer for someone who needs be weaned off of that total crap called lager from those big breweries! 4 out of 5!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:30:54 | More by WissBrauSean

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Sparse and small bubbles drift lazily up a super clear pale gold ale. Thin lace follows a small and pearly white head. Lemon, hay and yeast are prominent in the nose and, as an extra sessionable brew, the make a grassy, bitter impression on the tongue but it's not overpowering. This beer is extra refreshing and disappeared from my glass before I knew it. Perfect beer with my sushi, and probably and excellent choice to pair with Indian, Thai etc. Good beer from a great brewery!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 23:06:59 | More by NardiByNature

tdm168

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - bright yellow with a thin cap of pure white, foamy head that has decent retention

S - lemony, grassy, faint bread, some yeast

T - very bready, biscuity, doughy, lemon, faint apple, a hint of caramel, mild grass, very faint bitterness in the finish

M - light to medium bodied, crisp, well carbonated

This is a really nice beer. The taste may in fact deserve higher than 3.5. The initial taste is very bready and malty, but as the drink progresses it becomes more Kolsch-like with some lemony, grassy notes. This is a beer that I could sit down with and really work my way through. I wouldn't mind having some of these on hand for those high-volume nights.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 21:38:05 | More by tdm168

rangerred

Tennessee

2.85/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Picked this one up in the bargain bin. Only later did I realize the best by date is 7/17/11. Oops.
Taking that into consideration:

Pours a clear straw yellow with a thin soapy half finger head. A little cap on top of the beer but nothing in the way of lacing.

Aroma is very faint with bready malt, hay, and grass. A little bit of lemon zest as well.

Bread on the taste with a little bit of biscuit. Some grassy hops but a quick, somewhat harsh, shot of bitterness. All of the flavor fade extremely quickly which I attribute to the age. Nonetheless there is nothing really offensive and it seemed to hold up pretty well.

Overall, I would really like to try this fresh. While I still don't believe it would really stand out, it could be an enjoyable, refreshing summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 22:05:15 | More by rangerred

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best before 8/15/2012. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice 1-2 finger dense bright white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of lemon zest, orange zest, herbal, earth, grass, wheat, biscuit, and nuttiness. Very nice aromas with nice balance and complexity. Taste of lemon zest, herbal, wheat, grass, biscuit, and peppery spiciness. Lingering notes of citrus rind, pepper, grass, wheat, and biscuit on the finish for a bit. Nice balance for flavors; with no cloying at all after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a very crisp and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Almost zero alcohol presence after the finish as expected for 4.8%. Overall this is a very nice kolsch style. Nice amount of flavor with good balance and complexity; very smooth and crisp to drink. Really enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 04:15:24 | More by superspak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice production. Not too loud on the nose, but the flavor is pretty consistent and earthy. Gets inky on the end. I love how we're able to see these styles done so well nowadays out of the US. It's hard enough to get good ones out of Germany as it is. (And I mean that in that we don't get much variety distributed through the U.S.)

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:46:33 | More by RblWthACoz

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up down at Total Wine in West Orange since I had never had it before. I'm not a huge fan of this style but I like Stout's beers and this was the time of the year to have this. Although I've had better beers during the warmer months, this was a good example of the style and relatively easy to drink if the sour taste was a bit overlooked.

The pour to this was clear and gold with a nice amount of head and good carbonation. Not a lot of body to this and the grape notes took over first and foremost. A good amount of grass and straw were here too with just a hint of bread in the taste. The finish was pretty clean but I think this would have been better with a fuller mouthfeel with just a hint of dough to round it out.

Even though I only had one of these in a sitting, I could have had more since this was easygoing and pretty light on the alcoholic aspects. Because this style isn't that common, this would suffice for anyone looking to enjoy a beer of this style. Better examples are out there but since they're not easy to find, this should please most people.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 21:04:53 | More by JerzDevl2000

flagmantho

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap in a pint glass at the Bridge View Tavern in Sleepy Hollow.

Appearance: light golden hue with a good effervescence. Head is a thin layer of white foam. Looks good like a Kölsch should!

Smell: light, sweetish malt aroma with a hint of lagery yeastiness. Good but rather mild.

Taste: malty with a good yeast character. There is a light noble hop quality and moderate and balanced bitterness that works quite well. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a huge carbonation and absolutely bodacious creaminess. Ka-pow! Creamiest Kölsch I've ever had!

Overall: a very satisfying and refreshing example of the style. I really wish this were available in my area.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 16:41:08 | More by flagmantho

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The pour is a clear golden color with a nice white head. Sweet, but crisp. Good pale malt aroma, light hoppiness (mostly floral), and quite clean. The flavor is nicely refreshing. Good clean malt and hop flavors with minimal bitterness. A mild sweetness of bread and a crisp finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 21:52:43 | More by womencantsail

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2012-07-06 in Columbia, PA

A - Clear, straw-yellow with a pillowy 3-finger white head and mild lacing.

S - Bready malt, a touch of grass and not much else.

T - Bready malt then some citrus, grass and a nice bittering finish that sticks around. Not very complex but pleasant.

M - Light-medium body and medium carbonation. A bit thin/watery but refreshing.

O - A nice summer refresher with enough flavors to be interesting.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 22:26:04 | More by Tucquan

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz Bottle from the IGA Potsdam NY for 1.89$

Appearance - Clear gold colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for around 5 minutes.

Smell - Corn, herbal/straw/grass, hops

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste hops, malts, and herbal/grassy notes. There is also some light lemon/grapefruit peel flavours and a bit of ginger. It ends with a herbal slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall - An above average Kölsch that is very drinkable especially on a hot day. Not something I'd go out of my way to have again, but well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 18:57:25 | More by spinrsx

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

Picked this up from the House of 1,000 beers mix and match price $1.65

A - Even though it's a touch old it still poured a clear, clean bright hay colored yellow with a 1/2 inch of rocky white head.

S - Smells of mild wheat, a touch of floral hops, and some dough.

T - It's a bit floral with some wheat and grass making way to the palate giving it a yeasty kind of lemon taste but the finish is clean.

M - Light to medium a good bodied summer beer.

Overall it's a good Kolsch but I can find more crisp and balanced versions of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 17:34:32 | More by DrDemento456

Mitchster

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$1.89 for a 12oz bottle at BevCo. 22 IBU, 4.8% ABV, Bittering and aroma hops=Hallertauer. Includes Red Wheat...interesting.

Pours out to a sparkingly clear pale straw golden, forming a tall bone white beautiful and creamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Appears filtered. Medium crisp carbonation, ~2.5 carbs. The aroma is as a Kolsch should be...clean Kolsch yeast profile with a hint of sulfur, freshly mown hay, delicate hops and no flaws. Mouthfeel is crisp and clean with a light body. The taste is wonderful...delicate pilsner malt, freshly mown hay, with a hint of saltine cracker. Pleasantly firm well balanced bitterness. No off-flavors. Dry clean finish.

A perfectly brewed Kolsch. One of the very best I've had. An exceptional beer. I will be going back to the store and getting a few 6'ers of this for sure. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 03:46:01 | More by Mitchster

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a pint glass. Another mix a six pickup.

Pours a very clear golden color. See through. German pils-y smell. Firm. Taste is clean, flavorful, delicious. Mild hop runs throughout. Light lemony touch. Not much to describe, but perfect for the style.

Great summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 12:31:36 | More by KTCamm

mactrail

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice example of a Kölsch. Rich flavor, perfumey, tangy mouthfeel. Light golden with a slight haze in the glass. Excellent sudsy head.

Resiny flavor is quite pervasive. Crisp and clean with a lager character. A hint of biscuits and yeast. Pleasant carbonation that lasts really well. Overall, a refreshing quaff.

From the 12 oz bottle purchased at the Foodery in Philadelphia.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 02:34:52 | More by mactrail

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with one and a half fingers of white foam on top of a slightly hazy, golden body. The head settles rapidly and leaves very nice lace.

S - An aroma of light, sweet malt and spicy, herbal European hops.

T - Sweet malt up front with some herbal hops and a touch of bitterness. Flavors of hay and honey in the middle with a bitter finish that is grassy, but balanced by a moderately strong malt flavor.

M - Slightly thick malt, moderate carbonatiion, and a lightly sweet finish.

D - Not bad, it is a good example of the style and while it won't win any points for complexity it is very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 01:24:04 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: half finger bright white head on a cloudypale golden body. Thick lacing.

S: musty malt, lemon custard, a touch spicey

T: very clean tasting with pale malts grains and a nice yeast character. The sweetness is again lemon custard late into the finish.

M: light body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall: A very nice Kolsch. Flavorful, no off putting notes and nice body to this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 01:15:33 | More by kylehay2004

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours a completely clear straw color. Body is light and glowing. Head is bright white and fizzes down to only a tiny skin above the body.

S-Quite bread and zesty. Smells quite clean and tight. A little floral a little citrusy. A bit of spice too.

T-What a crisp, clean flavor with an interesting finish. This beer starts off like a buttered biscuit then it morphs into some surprising grassy bitterness. A bit spicy and lemony. Great finish that is both drier and more bitter than I anticipated it to be. Tastes like animal crackers.

M-Light and super crisp. Far from watery however. Excellent carbonation. Superb feel.

O/D-A great beer from a style I am not very familiar with. I really enjoyed this. An awesome warm-weather beer. Light but boasts plenty of flavor. Cool, cool, cool.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 23:10:05 | More by VelvetExtract

brentk56

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: The bottle pours a clear straw color, capped by a modest snow-white head; just a few clumps of foam cling to the pint glass

Smell: Clean aromatics of pilsener malt, with a hint of lemon

Taste: Clean and bready, up front, with a bit of lemon and grassy hops in the mid-palate; dry finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with reasonably crisp carbonation

Overall: A refreshing example of the style - not unexpected from this brewery with a knack for the Germanic

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 11:42:24 | More by brentk56

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.05/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Strong aroma is malty and yeasty with a hint of caramel. It pours a clear, wan yellow with a fluffy and not persistent white head. OK, what can I say - I prefer darker beers. Fortunately, appearance is this beer’s weakest point, as the malty flavor has firm yeasty and fruity notes, not complex but refreshing. Texture has good body and a fair amount of fizz. Overall, nothing to Tweet about but still OK.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 03:05:32 | More by Cyberkedi

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.23/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stoudts Karnival Kolsch has a very thick, white head and a clear, bubbly, straw appearance, with a good amount of lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of sugary sweetness, grass, and lightly toasted barley malt. Taste is of sweet, light barley and pale cracker, with a nice hop bitterness in the middle-to-end of the sip. Mouthfeel is light, watery, and lager-like, and Stoudts Karnival Kolsch finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, dry, and highly drinkable. I rate this one excellent. Get some!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 20:53:54 | More by RonaldTheriot

Pahn

New York

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into Duvel tulip. Best by 8/15/12 printed on the bottle (consumed 5/4/12).

Appearance: Free pour yields a 1 inch fluffy white head that dissipates a bit slowly and leaves some bubbly lacing near the surface. Pours a crystal clear pale yellow. Leaves a few small splotches of lacing.

Smell: At first, lemony, with a faint sulfury aroma. Mild. With warmth some nice noble hop aroma builds up. Never really takes off though.

Taste: Bready malt, with lemony and fruity highlights (more lemony). Dry, mineraly finish. Hop flavor is present, but barely.

As the beer warms, it develops a small lagery tang through the middle into the finish. I'd love the almost berry-like fruitiness suggested at first to return. It does not, but the lemon builds up, along with some very pleasant herbal hops.

Perfect mild bitterness to balance the malt sweetness. Yeast could stand to be cleaner. Ultimately, enough going on to hold my interest, and very refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Like the appearance, really spot on. Light side of medium bodied. Slightly prickly carbonation. Subtle creaminess while still remaining refreshing. Solidly dry finish, but not bone dry. Very good.

Overall: Good beer. Could easily have a lot of these in the summer. There's things I'd like to be done a bit differently (more hops in the flavor and aroma, less yeast presence in flavor), but it's still a well done beer, and a good value.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 03:32:54 | More by Pahn

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a bold, clear gold with no head or lace. It's aroma is of lemons, bread, and honey. The flavor has notes of lemon, honey, and cake with a hop bitterness in the finish that mellows as it warms. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing. Stoudts Karnival Kolsch is a good beer, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 03:31:11 | More by B967ierhunter177

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pilsener- pours a clear golden straw color with one inch of creamy white head; great retention and nice rows of beautiful lacing. Pours with more foam/retention the warmer it is.

Smell is nice and light- smells a little herby and a little grassy. Nice light German hops. Light earthy yeast scent as well.

Taste is consistent but more fleshed out- nice pale malt sweetness coupled with grassy hops, slightly dry finish.

Great mouthfeel- light bodied and well carbonated (I do love the prickly ones). Not a must have in my book but certainly a delicious and refreshing session beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 03:30:38 | More by Hopdaemon39