Karnival Kolsch - Stoudts Brewing Co.

bbeane

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured into a snifter... starts with a decent white head, maybe 1/4" thick that eventually disappears leaving a tiny bit of lacing. Beer is crisp golden straw color with medium activity

S- Smells nice. Citrus, maybe a hint of banana, blended with bread and grains

T- The medium bitterness mixes with some sweet cirtusy notes to create a very nicely balanced and delicious beer

M- Light/medium body with medium carbonation... leaves a hint of bitter aftertaste

D- Very. A great session beer IMO. This might be my new favorite from Stoudts excluding the BIG BEERS

CHEERS!!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 02:36:24 | More by bbeane

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

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

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

I had this on draft at paradise by the slice. It had a nice clear golden color body with a nice 2"foamy head that hung around a while. The smell was of lemony, grassy hops. The taste was nice and crisp, sweet grain and some bitter hops to finish it off. The mouth feel was great, nice and smooth and very tasty, good one to drink when it is warm out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 02:42:01 | More by chefhatt

StaEva

Pennsylvania

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

Great Kolsch-style beer.

Crystal clear pale yellow color, two fingers of meringue-looking head. slight lacing leaving rings on the way down.

Smelled of creamy yeast, slightly peach-like grains, and clean grassy hops.

Taste is very close to the nose, but less peach, good crisp hop finish, and incredible drinkability. Slightly sweeter malt profile than most traditional Kolsches I've had.

Full carbonation made the mouth feel incredibly clean and well refreshed. Light, delicious, and beautiful.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2011 04:21:45 | More by StaEva

therica

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Flannery's, Mercersburg PA

For a true Kolsch I think this misses the mark by being too bold in flavor but on its own it has a lot of merits as a beer.

A= golden, with modest head.

S= some light malts, hops florals and hints of honey.

T= much bolder on the hops bitters than I'd expected, far beyond a true Koln Kolsch. Thick bready malts, again much more so than a true Koln Kolsch. But enjoyable.

M= lingering hops bitters and thick malts.

O= very decent beer but a far stretch to call it a Kolsch.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 23:42:30 | More by therica

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Casey's, Newtown Square, PA

Poured a clear, light golden color, with a frothy white head that dissipated rather quickly to a thin layer. Aroma of light malts and hay. Similar taste, with lightly toasted malts, hay, grass, earth, just a hint of hops, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. Very light profile, crisp, refreshing, and quite drinkable for a summer beer. I'm not a big fan of the style, but this was okay.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2011 18:51:35 | More by Rifugium

MicroBeerMan1980

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pale yellow and crystal clear. Bright and fresh. Creamy thin effervescent head. Very little retention.

S: Very sweet pilsner malts. Hops aren't heavy. Light and crisp aroma.

T: Lager-esque. Quintessential Kolsch. Clean, bright and refreshing. Very light hop profile, but very well balanced. It's like a doughy biscuit in your mouth.

M: Very light and smooth on the tongue and palate. Refreshing and effervescent.

D: This is the perfect lager to throw down on a warm summer day. Concert tailgate anyone?

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2011 03:53:00 | More by MicroBeerMan1980

OnThenIn

Ohio

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

A: half finger of white head on top of a light straw body.

S: smells clean with a floral hop and a bit of other hop aroma.

T: surprisingly similar to the aroma but with a bitter backing and a nice dry finish. Just a tiny bit of madly flavor loners on the palette.

M: thin body with slightly lower carbonation than desired.

D: rather drinkable but could use a tiny bit more carbonation. A pretty solid beer over all.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2011 00:35:55 | More by OnThenIn

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Karnival Kolsch has a bright, clear, yellow body with a lot of carbonation bubbles. The head is soapy yet sturdy looking, and both lacing and retention are quite good.

The aroma has earthy, grassy, and lemon flavors from the hops, along with a lightly toasted, slightly sweet, grainy pale malt character.

I love a good Kolsch, and this one is no exception. Although Karnival Kolsch is on the hoppy side, the malt profile is much more complex. Lots of hops bring earthy, grassy bitterness with a touch of citrus. A hint of fruity yeast pokes its head up in the middle of the beer, but only for a second, then its gone. The malt has flavors of lightly toasted pale malt, crackers, light sweetness, and grainy cereal. The finish has a bit more bitterness from the hops.

Really light body with a ton of carbonation. Good feel.

This Kolsch was just what I was looking for from the style. A really easy drinker that manages a good deal of complexity and enough hops to satisfy a hophead.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 14:49:38 | More by Hojaminbag

jkot79

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Excellent example of the style. Nice head when poured from the growler. Nice lacing left in the glass. Not overly bitter with a nice crystal malt undertone. This is a most drinkable beer especially with the weather turning warmer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: growler

03-18-2011 23:00:37 | More by jkot79

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Karnival Kolsch pours a clear golden with fine clarity and some bone white fizzling head. Aroma of some hops and pale malts backing. In the flavor, nice crisp green hop presence, giving a nice herbal spiciness to the beer. Base beer is of crystal malts and a nice even grainyness. Grassy and slightly citric hops are there the whole way through. Mouthfeel is clean and light. Overall, a nice kolsch brewed to style. Refreshing and would be a good summer beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2011 04:51:40 | More by Stinkypuss

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

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

Served on-tap in a Sebago pint glass at MiKro in Hamden, Conn.

A: Very pale, yellow color with a chilled haze and a thin, creamy head of stark white foam. Carbonation is ample and there is minimal lacing left on the glass.

S: Bright, zesty hop and grain aroma with hints of butter, marmalade and rolling metal.

T: Light, dry cracker up front followed by a white wine skin and herbal hop flavor. Some metallic, milled grains roll through mid palate before washing down assertively bitter and dry.

M: Light, crisp, bracing even, and refreshing for the most part. Very dry finish.

D: I don't know why I keep trying Kolsch despite disliking it as a style in general. Not a lot here for me, but if you like a very dry, light malt and grainy hop style of German brewing, this Stoudts offering isn't a bad choice. One and done for me though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 17:20:34 | More by Gambrinus1184

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

On tap at Galaxy Hut this past weekend. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a clear yellow-gold with a two-finger white head appearing after a few good swirls. A bit of lacing, though not too much. The nose was a bit of light pilsner grain plus some very mild fruit. A touch of floral hops as well. The taste was along the same lines. Nothing too complex, though no clear flaws either. I don't think anything will ever live up to the COAST 32/50, the beer by which I will measure all beers in this style (at least until I finally make it to Germany). Light and refreshing, this was crisp and I downed my glass pretty easily.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2011 22:03:34 | More by Thorpe429

VoiceOfTheSoul

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Pinocchio's in Media, PA in the summer.

A Pale gold one finger white head, stays well.

S Grassy, biscuity.

T Grassy, light cirtus, bitter, slight pine, slighty sweet.

M Light, bit creamy, good carbonation.

D Easy, light, but not perfect.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 19:30:17 | More by VoiceOfTheSoul

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap into a tasting glass.

The color is a clear gold with a finger of foamy white head and some nice thin lacing.

The smell is a little floral hoppy flavor. Some citrus flavor and a slight sweet malt flavor.

The taste is light but has a a bit of a bitter background. No real malt flavor stays for very long. Some slight fruit flavoris present and then passes.

The feel of this beer is light for the most part. The bitterness is there but not too strong and there is a bit of a crisp feel. IS a bit refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 19:01:06 | More by Duhast500

david18

New York

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

They had this on draft at the Amsterdam Ale house in Manhattan yesterday when it was sweltering and hot. What a perfect beer for a hot day. Refreshing and light while having some interesting ale-like character that allows you enjoy the yeast as well. Light orange color and very cloudy in look. Very enjoyable and I look forward to having one today, and tomorrow, and...

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2010 14:11:59 | More by david18

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on tap at Kraftwork.

Pours a golden yellowish ripe banana color with lighter golden yellow hues when held to a light source and a 1.5 finger frothy white head with good retention, slowly fading into a lasting cap that leaves sheets of soapy lacing behind.

Pedestrian aroma with subtle hops and hints of peppery spice, light fruit and bready yeast.

Surprisingly chewy, full body with a nice crisp earthy hop presence up front along with some peppery spice that flows into a creamy mid palate with hints of grass, straw, light fruit notes and bready yeast. The dry hops linger throughout over the bready yeast, subtle malt and apple, banana and pear fruit notes into a dry finish. Much more complex and flavorful than expected. Quite a nice surprise. Recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2010 09:23:20 | More by corby112

erosier

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

L: Pours a nice clear golden yellow color with a medium sized and medium bodied white colored head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet toasted malts, hints of lemony citrus and a nice citrus-y and grassy hop characteristic at the end of the nose.
T: Tastes of a nice blend of lightly toasted malts, nice lemony citrus flavors mixed with citrus-y hops and grassy earthy hops.
M: Very crisp, fresh, refreshing, perfect amount of carbonation, lighter bodied but certainly not lacking on anything.
D: Very drinkable, this has extremely sessionable qualities and a really nice feel to it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2010 14:31:43 | More by erosier

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium straw hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light lemon zest and a subtle grassy hop.

The taste was well balanced with a soft malt and moderate noble hop.
The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a good kolsch.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2010 20:33:13 | More by plaid75

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.65/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Cole's. Light colour, with carbonation bubbles. Neutral aroma, minimal head. This is a thirst quencher but the taste was rather minimal.Only the faintest drop of lemon or hops was I getting. Unoffensive but fairly plain, and so not that drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2010 03:02:25 | More by northyorksammy

glid02

Georgia

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

On-tap at Closed for Business in Charleston, SC.

Pours a clear golden color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of equal parts robust light malts and grassy/leafy hops. As the beer warms the malt aromas gain hints of bread.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Smooth light malt flavors that have just the right levels of sweetness kick things off. Midway through the sip leafy hop flavors make an appearance and carry through to a crisp and mildly bitter ending.

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

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have another.

Overall this was a very well done example of the style, all the elements are there and in good working order. Well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2010 03:38:02 | More by glid02

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

On-tap at J. Ryan's in Syracuse. Appeared a brilliant gold color with a tall white head. This was a dry and hoppy Kolsch. As in there was less malt and ester than most Germans, but it was still within reason for the style and it was quite tasty. The hops were earthy and spicy like, good Euro hops, while there was a light bready malt undercurrant. No, it's not the best or most complex Kolsch (Summit's comes to mind), but it's a great hop-centric take on the style. Check it out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2010 02:19:43 | More by tempest

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the B

A - Looks very clean. Very clear golden body with a small white head. Not much lacing.

S - Grains, minor hop presence.

T- Beady grains, some hops, very light tasty beer.

M - Very light clean spring beer. Nice carbonation.

D - Very solid spring beer out on the deck on a warm spring day. Love this take on the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2010 23:13:06 | More by DNICE555

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a a golden straw color with active, fluffy white head. Decent retention, some sticky lacing. Smell is of sweet biscuity malts with a noticeable lemony hop presence. Taste is slightly sweet, bready malts and faint lemony hops again - not really saying Kolsch to me. Almost medium bodied - again out of style, adequate carbonation. Ok beer, definitely not a Kolsch in scent, taste or body.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2010 19:18:47 | More by rfgetz

sinistrsam

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at MaHafffey's. Poured a hazy straw colow, a bit darker than what I expect from a Kolsch. Medium white head.
The aroma was bread dough and grain, but not roasted agressively. Mild hop presence, not very floral, not a lot of fruit notes.
The taste was dominated by very lightly roasted malt and sweet fruits, with a minor citrus and floral hop presence.
This was a light-bodied beer but slightly heavier than most Kolsch beers I've had. Smooth and crisp with a nice clean and sweet finish.
Overlal very drinkable, refreshing and another good one from Stoudt's. Hats off.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2010 22:45:50 | More by sinistrsam