Schlafly Kölsch - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

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

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

light amber, bordering on a golden color. A nice sized head of white foam then rose up over the top to take a hold on the glass, reaching a height of around two inches and then settled back down to leave a bare top with minimal lacing. No real side glass presence was noticed, though there was some nice carbonation.

The aroma was rather light, touches of caramel malts, light bready tones and a hint of banana were all that were readily noticeable, not bad really, would have liked a bit more of a pop in it though if I am being honest. The flavor was very nice though. Rich notes of biscuit and bready malts, layered on top of a light fruity spike of flavor. Some nice touches of grain coming through mid palate before dropping back into a smooth, and subtle feel. Crisp and clean finish

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 17:01:39 | More by mikesgroove

lanamj

North Carolina

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

Got as an extra on a trade. Poured into a Terrapin barrel mug glass.

A- Nice clear gold with a fast foamy head that barely stuck around. Thin lacing that clings to the edge of the glass

S- Sweet malts and crisp aromas such as hay, yeast and honey.

T- Nice cereal flavor with honey and crisp bread. It finishes so smooth with a slight hoppy bitterness.

M- Nice and refreshing. It goes down smooth and crisp. Although not my favorite style this beer is not bad at all. The carbonation is balanced and the feel is smooth and very approachable.

O- A good beer for the style. I could see this being perfect for outdoor events on a sunny day. It's easy drinking also nice and refreshing

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 20:50:56 | More by lanamj

thain709

Pennsylvania

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

A - Poured a straw yellow body with a lot of carbonation...a one finger, creamy, white head formed...it showed great staying power as it held its one finger height...nice lacing

S - A lot of sweetness going on with loads of caramel and fruit...a light biscuit aroma as well

T - The flavors start off sweet again with caramel and toffee leading the way...some lighter fruity notes are underlying and adding to the sweetness...the middle presents a buttery biscuit and grain flavor...grassy hops start to emerge once the beer has the chance to warm

M - Medium bodied...sometimes showing that it's light...creamy with soft carbonation

O - This was my first offering from Schlafly and it was a nice relief to have this hot summer...a creamy, light, refreshing Kolsch

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 11:55:24 | More by thain709

droomyster

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear gold with one finger's worth of white foam with good retention. Aromas are pleasantly grainy and grassy but not much else. Flavors are simple but perfectly balanced. Grain flavors are most apparent on the front and mid-palates before lemony hops finish it out. Everything about this beer is straightforward. There are no harsh edges to be negotiated and the overall effect is quite refreshing. All of this is consistent with the world's better kolsches.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 06:28:08 | More by droomyster

longbongsilver

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Felt like trying a new style, never had a kolsch before.

Mug fills a really clear canary yellow, lots of fizz on the sides & head of about an inch an' a half. Has a kind of apple scent, plus something peppery somehow. Not particularly sticking out on either count, but whatever, the taste is what matters. Let's see how it does on that...

A lemon type of background joins in, and...wheat? At least, something bread-like that has me thinking of wheat, even though this isn't a wheat beer. Even stranger, after it warms a bit some diacetyl pops up. Suppose it makes sense if I'm thinking bread that butter would come next, and I actually welcome it. Slightly oily, much richer mouth than I'd ever have expected for something so unassuming in the glass, carbonation calms down quickly but is still present to the last sip.

If I'd judged this by its cover I'd have been suspicious I'd picked up a dud. Good thing I didn't, because this is actually a damn nice casual brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 05:22:01 | More by longbongsilver

cadizkyguy

Kentucky

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

It took me some time to get around to trying this style and I'm glad I chose Schlafly's..

I know some of my thoughts here might make no sense to the seasoned beer reviewer.. but this beer encompasses some of the finer attributes of my other favorite beers -- such as the tart smell of Samuel Adams' Noble Pils (Czech Pilsener), the bitter aftertaste of Metropolitan's Flywheel Lager (German Pilsener), the mouthfeel of Bell's Oberon (American Pale Wheat Ale) and the overall enjoyment of a Three Floyds Gumballhead (American Pale Wheat Ale).

This is a well crafted Kolsch. No reason to try any other in this style. Too bad it's only a summer seasonal for Schlafly. That's the only negative.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 07:02:13 | More by cadizkyguy

bugaboo416

New York

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

A: I love this color of clear bright yellow, which screams sunlight and summertime

S: lightly malty

T: clean, crisp on first sip , with a slight malt flavor and bitterness at the end

M: light

O: Drink it fast and drink it fun. Not much more to say other than it is a good example of a Kolsch beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 03:16:48 | More by bugaboo416

climax

Kansas

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one pours a melted butter yellow, clarity is pretty sharp.

Subtle flavors in the aroma, but they are somewhat complex. The noble hop character is evident, but soon gets surpassed by grains, nutty, and buttery flavor.

The flavor has more fruity esters than I had anticipated from the nose. Sweet notes of strawberry and honey mingle with otherwise earthy hop tones. Diacetyl and light grains make up the light backbone.

The feel is very sharply carbonated, it's never fizzy but it has a punch. The body is heavier than expected with a nice slickness.

It's definitely a solid summer beer, with enough flavor and body to satisfy. A good effort on a rather unexciting style.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 23:59:03 | More by climax

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this Kolsch from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. it pours a crystal clear pale gold color, it produces a nice thick white, creamy head. Head retention is excellent and lacing is average. The aroma has a nice base of grain and there is some slight citrus notes and suggestions of butternut squash. The taste of this ale brings to mind fresh baked bread, lemon and a slightly dry finish. The body is medium. Decent example of the style, excellent session beer. Outstanding gateway beer. Something a Bud Light drinker would enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 02:26:50 | More by GossageBrewery

AmericanGothic

Iowa

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint.

A: Pours a clear golden color with one finger of billowy, near-white head. Good retention and lace.

S: Bright, sweet hay and light sweet malt underneath.

T: Light sweet malt up front, swells a bit in the middle with faint vinous whispers and a gentle hop bitterness creeping in at the end.

M: Light and soda-like.

O: A nice example of the style, quite refreshing and perfect for a warm day. Schlafly has just started distributing in Iowa this week-- looking forward to trying more of their beers!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 22:52:50 | More by AmericanGothic

Brent

Kentucky

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

The Kolsch style is one of my favorites for hot summer weather. Schlafly does a nice job keeping this beer quite straightforward and true to style. Lively carbonation. Bright, clean malt flavor, moderate hopping with a touch of citric acidity. Great session beer here.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 14:26:38 | More by Brent

beer2day

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straight up yellow gold pour with practically no head. Very little visible carbonation. Mild lace.

Bread and biscuit malt with light apple nose.

Fairly bright up front with a bit of crab apple and a bit of pear. Light sour finish. Fairly substantial malt body for the style with lots of raw biscuit.

What starts out fairly disappointing in appearance and smell, finishes rather strong in taste and feel. I'd get this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 01:47:30 | More by beer2day

argock

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear glass stange. Bottled on 030211 on front of label. Single purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $1.70.

A: Very clear straw gold withshort 1/2-finger cap of ivory head with good retention and several half-rings of lace.

S: Fruity with crackery slightly grainy pale maltiness with grassy, herbal hopping

T: Clean and refreshing with slightly grainy pale maltiness which shows more light pear and white grape fruit flavor. The hops are a little grassy and herbal with light stinging bitterness.

M: I think this brew captures the creaminess of a kolsch very well and still maintains a good crisp edge. The body is light but it still carries the smooth coating ale quality nicely.

O: Schlafly Kolsch is one of the best kolsch-style brews I've had in a while. They manage to balance crispness and creaminess expertly and provide a really satisfying, low-ABV brew that is great for summer.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 01:51:41 | More by argock

tapman

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Clear, golden color with a white, one finger head that subsides down to a thin, speckled lace.

A lot of base (pilsner?) malt in the nose, which is to be expected, along with some sweet and mildly spicy aromatics from the hops. Yeast may be contributing to the grainy aroma with some bread-like by-products of its own. Not as much going on as something like a Reisdorf.

Grainy character not as strong as in the nose, and the big hops (big for a kolsch, anyways) covers up that base malt taste pretty well. Bitterness is higher than in others I've had, which I like, and it finishes pretty clean.

Not too harsh, but crisp enough to be refreshing.

An above average Kolsch from St. Louis' own Schlafly's. Their brews are pretty sessionable and this one is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 01:31:33 | More by tapman

tronester

Oklahoma

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

Pours a clear golden with a big white head. Smells of light pilsner malt. Taste is sweet grassyness up front, with a sweet bready middle and a lemony clean bitter finish. Mouthfeel is full low carbonation. I like this beer it is light and refreshing, and the low alcohol is a plus.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 00:26:58 | More by tronester

beerdown77

North Carolina

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

This pours hazy, pale yellow with a sudsy white head. There is very little retention or lacy, but I wasn’t expecting any from this style. It’s very clean and refreshing. I hate to say it, but the smell is like a BMC, It kinda has that dirty/sweet pilsner taste, but this is still a craft beer quality beverage. I can taste malt and hops, and this is overall refreshing. I would prefer a little more bitter and a little less sweet, but I’m not going to split hairs, this is easy to drink and pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 17:40:41 | More by beerdown77

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled with love on 3/2/2011. Pale, but bright yellow in color with a slight haze. Impressive, dense head of foam with excellent staying power. Light malty aroma with hints of grass and hay. On the lighter side of medium bodied with assertuve carbonation. Llight malty/bicuity flavor throughout with a brief prickly spice in the middle. Finishes very clean and refreshing. A great summer ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 02:40:37 | More by IronLover

rrski198

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Beautiful huge billowy head with great lacing. Head disapates quickly, but it was beautiful.

S: sweet light malt. Honey yeasty scent. mild mild hop back bone.

T: slight maltyness with a brief spice. Very lite. The flavor comes and goes quickly. Similar to a lager but with a little more body and spice.

M: Medium bodied with perfect carbonation. Mild spice.

O: Really refreshing. Not a qhole lot of complex flavors going on, but i guess for the style, it is really nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 01:16:19 | More by rrski198

gford217

Georgia

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

12oz bottle from bitchstick.

Pours a really light golden yellow with a small creamy white head that recedes to s thin collar and stream of bubbles feeding a pack of bubbles in the middle.

Light sweet grains and bready malts in the background. But the real dominant force is the grassy hops, really crisp.

The taste is the German hops up front, crisp and grassy, maybe a hint of lemon zest. The toasted grains are the backbone here as well as a bit of toasty malts.

The mouthfeel is light bodied, crisp and lively with carbonation.

Overall, this is really nice for a kolsch, certainly drinkable. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 04:05:50 | More by gford217