Schlafly Kölsch - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brought back from DE/MD trip from last week:

Bottled 03/19/2013:

Into a stange:

A: clear yellow body, carbonation seen rising at a moderate pace, two finger white foamy head

S: light citrus, grassy yet slight spice underneath

T: mainly sweet somewhat grassy

M: light to medium, carbonation is felt but appropriate for the style

O: this is good for the style and good for me, I would have this again

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:14:32 | More by kangarooAdam59

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.45/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a mildly hazy straw color. The head is a three finger white shade. Fluffy in texture, it lasts a decent duration and leaves behind streaks of lacing on the glass.

S: About what I expected: grassy hops are at the forefront. I could use some more fruity esters on the nose. However, this one's all about showcasing the noble hops, and that's not exactly a bad thing.

T: The fruity qualities I was looking for on the aroma are thankfully more prevalent here. Some light notes of cherry, apple, and lemon lead to a nicely crisp, grassy finish. Nothing here rewrites the book, it's just enjoyable and very easy to drink.

M: Appropriately light and crisp. It's not entirely bone dry, however; but the light fizziness to the carbonation makes it one that could conceivably be chugged.

O: I like this one as simple refreshment on a hot day. It even has a modicum of substance to it - allowing it to escape the pratfall of mindlessness many brews of its ilk fall prey to.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 21:54:23 | More by ThisWangsChung

emerge077

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Hazy pale gold, persistent tiny champagne carbonation. Lasting white foam, creamy surface texture.

Bready cracker, dry and lightly sweet.

Faint sweetness, light white grape note when first opened, slips away quickly. Minerals, wheat and simple grains. Light bodied with a simple lager feel, slight ale yeast complexity. A good refreshing simple beer, though I prefer local favorite Krankshaft.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 22:54:25 | More by emerge077

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.88/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a fluted pilsner glass.

Look: Hazy golden body, white head that recedes to a film. Light lacing.

Aroma: Faint sweet grains and malts with a layer of banana fruitiness on top.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium with a clean dry finish.

Overall: I like it as a refreshing spring beer. Low ABV is good too.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 20:48:27 | More by JuicesFlowing

Naters333

Illinois

3.44/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into my New Glarus pilsner glass. Has a bottle date of 11/29/12.

A. Poured a great golden color. More of a straw or deep yellow. Very clear. Great carbonation. Nice finger and a half head. Leaves a little lacing as I drink.

S-Not very pungent. Get a few bread notes.

T-Smooth, refreshing, bread, lemon, easy drinking, wheat. A little sweat at first, but finishes with heavy wheat and bread notes.

M- Nice mouthful. Medium bodied beer. Heavy on the bread aftertaste. Does not leave the dry taste in your mouth that many kolschs are known for. Does not bother me though.

O- A nice session beer. Nothing overwhelming here in any area. I could see my self buying these on a nice summer day.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 20:24:31 | More by Naters333

johnkale

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle (dated 11/15/12) received as a thank you for cat-sitting
poured into my New Glarus Pilsener glass

A - golden straw, perfect clarity, one finger of head quickly dissipates to a thin cap of foam on top, moderate lacing

S - grainy, with some lemony fruit

T - starts with sweet cereal grains, some husk in there, lemon and a slight berry like flavor, finishes dry with a pleasing mild bitterness

M - effervescent, light bodied, just a little prickly on the tongue

O - a very refreshing beer, simple but tasty, a style I always enjoy but don't see nearly enough of

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 01:38:45 | More by johnkale

badsneakerz

2.9/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Unfortunately, this beer isn't close to being representative of the Kolsch style. It's not as nutty and dry as is representative of this style of beer, the beer I'm drinking also has significant hints of dicetyl taste and nose that are far too butterscotch tasting and smelling for Kolsch. It could just be the six pack I purchased. I would try it again on tap.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 03:53:18 | More by badsneakerz

acelin

Kansas

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden yellow, nice and fizzy from the bottle. Small white head that is gone within seconds. Some lacing down my stange.

The nose heralds light hops, pale 2-row barley malt, no sweetness - very dry.

Malt wise, this beer is very pale, slightly sweet although mostly dry. Light, sizzling noble hops swipe the palate. Some fruity esters, pear, apple. Overall a good kolsch.

The finish wasn't quite dry enough to beat out the German Kolsches. Overall for the price, a great American kolsch. Far more accesible than German Kolsches, and certainly fresher in the US.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 02:00:40 | More by acelin

rlee1390

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear pale yellow, not much carbonation and a one finger head. So clear I could watch my TV through it.

S-Straw, wheat, bread,, not much else.

T-Similar to the nose, straw and bread notes dominated, very faint grass was there as well. No bitterness. Nice and sweet though.

M-Light, not much carbonation however it was very crisp and refreshing.

O-A decent beer, very light, could use some more flavor, but a good lawnmowing brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 13:01:57 | More by rlee1390

rangerred

Tennessee

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a slightly hazy dark yellow with a rocky 1.5 finger white head. Tons of carbonation bubble help to keep the head intact.

Aroma has lot of sweet malt and a little bit of DMS although it is faint. Little bit of floral hops.

The flavor is very bready with the sweetness carrying over from the nose. There is a little bit of biscuit in there along with some lemon and pepper. All are very faint, though, with sweet bread really dominating. Finish is extremely crisp with a very light bitterness.

Overall, not an extremely complicated beer but it is extremely drinkable and a great thirst quencher on a hot day. Something I would buy all the time throughout the summer.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 20:33:45 | More by rangerred

RickS95

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very clear, dark golden straw color. Like an American macro, only a bit darker. The head is very thick and sticks around a while. It looks like a cloud, and as it falls, a nice lace remains.

Again, very reminiscent of an American lager, but with more character. Has a floral, buttery, grape-like smell.

Much better than I expected. Floral and fruit notes, mostly grape, with a faint hop check in the swallow.

Both a sweetness and a yeasty feel up front. Just enough of a dry, hoppy bitterness in the finish to leave you with a clean feel.

I'm still not sold on the style, but I liked this beer. Very drinkable and with the low alcohol, almost a sessionable beer that you can throw back several of during a game.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 02:15:59 | More by RickS95

scratch69

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a mug.

Appearance- Clear golden color with two fingers worth of head. Nice retention with a fair amount of patchy lace.

Smell- Grainy with a slight hint of hops.

Taste- Biscuit-like malt flavor with faint grassy hop notes.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied and smooth. Nice amount of carbonation.

Overall- Very satisfying beer. An easy drinking summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 02:12:13 | More by scratch69

mdcrouser

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pretty standard for a kolsch - clearly golden, with faint white head.

Crisp and bready - smells like spent grains.

To me, that's much like what a kolsch should be. Malty, nutty, crisp to close. Nothing over the top. A good German style from a city with its roots in Germany.

The carbonation is like little pin pricks on the tongue.

Enjoyable, easy to drink - great for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 03:01:05 | More by mdcrouser

jkrich

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle with a "Bottled with live on..." date. This was very attractive in the glass with a bright and clear golden with a creamy, sustained white-head.
The aroma was fresh and sweet with some spicy overtones of European hops.
For a hot day this was an excellent thirst quencher with a consistent soft and creamy mouthfeel with a a crisp and refreshing hop profile complemented by sweet cracker-like malt flavor. The hints of lemon only add to the thirst quenching quality. The carbonation was rather subtle for the style. There was very little lingering aftertaste, but this is not intended as a complex ale.
This is a fine, light-bodied quaffable ale in the kolsch tradition. I have yet to be disappointed with Schlafly.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 22:57:07 | More by jkrich

danmouer

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The temperature is 105 F today in Virginia. Kölsch time.

The Shafly poured brilliant light golden, with nicely active foamy head that falls moderately fast. The pilsner malt aroma is gently emphatic and telegraphs the flavor profile. Starts of with a soft malty entrance, quickly braced and balanced by a gently firm hop backbone. The finish is long, smoothly bitter, very refreshing and satisfying. In the mouth the impression is crisp, clean, and refreshing.

I notice lots of folks have graded this brew as somewhat mediocre. I could not agree less. Schafley's Kölsch is right on the target, stylistically, and a fresh, refreshing, superior example of the style. I enjoyed this beer today, and I intend to do so again and again.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 22:03:53 | More by danmouer

Spider889

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sixer purchased in Bowling Green, KY (Schlafly please distribute to OH). Bottle date is: 12/29/2011.

I wasn't impressed with the age, but this has been in a cooler the entire time as far as I can tell (vs the room temp sixer I saw at another store), so I figured I would give this a shot. Plus, I was pouring homebrewed Kolsch all weekend and wanted to see how mine stood up to a commercial example.

Poured into a Kirta Halbe stange. The beer is a pale straw color with brilliant clarity and a short cap of white head that sticks around long enough to be appreciated.

The aroma is rich and grainy with a restrained noble hop floral quality. Delicate and inviting, though not overly complex.

The flavor is equally satisfying yet restrained. Again, grains make up the dominant portion of the beer's character. Cracked wheat and moderate bitterness play off each other well.

Carbonation is a tad sharp, though appropriate to style. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a honey-like texture (not sweetness or flavor).

Overall a very satisfying brew, especially given the near 100 degree weather we're having this Memorial Day weekend. I would happily buy this again, especially if I could find it really fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 21:12:19 | More by Spider889

beagle75

Iowa

3.15/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a becker glass.

A: Clear, medium golden color with over one finger of white foam head that diminishes to a persistent pad. Moderate lacing remains on the glass and a few streams of bubbles rise lazily in the column.

S: Faint fermented grain and crisp herbaceous hops are present in restrained balance. A slightly skunky sulfurous thread is also detectable, weighing a bit more than the sum of the other components, yet not derailing the nose.

T: Begins barely off-dry, with refined malt that is slightly crackery and buzzing with carbonic acidity. Nuanced tartness extends deep into the otherwise seltzery middle, then recedes in the face of swelling sweetness, late grassy hop flavors, and huskier pale malt. Bitterness is brief and very mild during the finish; vacant tartness lingers on the palate.

M: Thin viscosity, wet yet lifeless on the palate and showing relatively little felt acidity compared to the flavor, with low carbonation.

D/O: This golden ale strives to faithfully represent the kolsch style, with scattered successes. The malt bill is metered and appropriate, yet flavors become confused early on as tasted acidity runs amok. Still, the tart qualities are not wildly out-of-place in such a light beer, actually helping it to be more refreshing than the textures alone would accomplish.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 02:36:23 | More by beagle75

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle - thanks to frenchy for this one

Appearance - slightly hazy amber/goldr colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Lemons, hops, grains, bread

Taste & Mouth - There is a below average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, caramel and some hops. There is also some lemon and a breadiness. It ends with a grainy citrus aftertaste with a touch of hops.

Overall - A tasty refreshing beer that would be well suited for the warmer weather. It reminded me a bit of a toned down bottle of victory's prima pils.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 17:49:29 | More by spinrsx

Steedee

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Excellent light bodied lager.
This beer has a ton of flavor for how light bodied and clear it is.
Not to dry or bitter, not to fruity, but packed full of mild hop flavors that will make you crack open another on a hot summer day. High carbonation make the flavors dance in your mouth, with very little or no after taste. The colder the better! One of my favorite summer beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 06:51:59 | More by Steedee

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle pours a mostly clear gold color with a dense off-white head. Nice retention and sticky lacing. Nice stream of bubbles trickling to the top is pretty.

Nose has a yeasty influence for the style and has notes of pickling spice, bubblegum and maybe even some cloves! Sharp grains round out the aroma with very little contributions from the cones or alcohol.

Very smooth while still offering plenty of flavor...very nice kolsch here, one of the best I've ever had. I like the yeasty presence and light grains that dry out nicely on the finish. Kiss of noble hops to give it some grassy sharpness at the end. Very drinkable, although I could enjoy this in cold weather as well as warm. Stellar beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 23:48:28 | More by twiggamortis420

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Slight hazy straw with a small white head that dissipates quickly.

Aroma is heavy in summer smells. Some lemon, herbal and grass qualities and slightly spicy.

Starts off with a lemon and subtle fruit flavor. A bit of a cracker and light pilsner malt, finishing spicy, herbal and dry.

Mouthfeel and carb and good for the style.

One of my favorite summer beers and usually go through a six pack at minimum every summer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 21:53:19 | More by jmarsh123

bum732

Maryland

3.33/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

S: Pils malt sweetness, quite floral, some honey notes, touch of peppery hoppiness, raw grain.

L: Slight hazy golden yellow, white head that dissipates.

T: Clean pils maltiness with a fairly firm herbal hoppiness. Medium low bitterness leads to some grainy dryness along with some herbal bitterness.

M: Medium light bodied, medium carbonation. Clean overall.

Smells good, flavor a little flat. Hops a little too dominant for the style, doesn't allow the malt to shine through.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 01:55:32 | More by bum732

binkman

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Brilliant gold, a very slight white head that dissipated quickly, and left a faint bit of lacing on the glass.

S: No malt arome to speak of. A slight apple-peachy scent, likely from yeast ester production during fermentation. I can also detect a hint of noble hops here. Together the two come together to suggest Froot Loops.

T: Slightly sweet up front. Not very malty. The fruity character from the aroma is present, and glides into a noble hops flavor. The finish is clean with pleasant bitterness. The fruity and hoppy froot-loops flavor is pleasant at first but persists too long and gets old by the end of the bottle.

M: Smooth and crisp with light body. It could finish a bit drier for me.

O: It's nice and drinkable, but probably better with some food. By itself the aftertaste is a little unpleasant and I was hoping for a bit more maltiness.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 22:21:12 | More by binkman

Naugros

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am a big kolsch snob. I rate every kolsch against Reissdorf and have yet to find any American-brewed kolsch worthy of consideration. So far, this is the closest I've found. The color is right, just a shade above straw, and the head is good with a high, dense structure, but it's not crystal clear. And this isn't chill haze. Bummer.

Light malts and noble hops dominate the nose but not oppressively so like many beers advertised on television bragging about the buttload of noble hops they use.

The taste and body is nice and light, crisp and dry with just a small bit of aftertaste. Again, the malt is light and the hops aren't overdone but remain minimally fragrant.

I'd prefer it a little lighter and a cleaner finish, but this isn't too damn bad.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 00:30:00 | More by Naugros

chchchchia

Arkansas

4.43/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my all time favorites from Schlafly.

A-Pours a crystal clear pale yellow, almost amber. A 1 finger head occurs from the pour that fades to a slim line. Beautiful lacing and bubbles, the latter owing to the clarity.

S - Fruity esters, similar to a pilsner. Wheat play a prominent role here.

T- Wheat hits you up front, followed by a fruity taste. Almost a biscuit like taste follows (think english pale/2 row). The beer finishes clean and slightly bitter.

M - Medium to light in body, and moderate in carbonation. No diacetyl to speak of.

D - Oh so very high. This is a very clean and light beer that craft and non craft drinkers alike could enjoy. It's a great beer to take to your hammock and relax on a summer or early autumn afternoon. If only Schlafly was carried down south.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 20:42:32 | More by chchchchia