Hale's Kölsch - Hale's Ales Brewery & Pub

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy golden straw color with visible carbonation and a two finger frothy white head that very slowly settles into a lasting ring.  Glass is left coated with chunks of soapy lacing.

Earthy, grassy aroma with floral hops, straw, hay, pale malt, bread and light fruit. Hints of apple, pear and faint alcohol.  Nice hop presence countered by sweeter notes and pale malt.

Medium bodied but fuller than I expected for the style with tight carbonation and a spicy, earthy hop presence up front that lingers over the sweeter notes into slightly dry finish.  Grassy, earthy hops up front along with slight funky yeast, grass and straw. This is countered by pale pilsner malt, biscuit and light fruit notes.  Hints of apple and pear give sweetness before the finish. Strong hop presence but complex, well balanced and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2012 03:48:14 | More by corby112

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

picked up as a single as it is probably a summer left over. Poured nice and foamy with a pleasant yellow colour and a nice yeasty hoppy nose. This is a well done Kolsch with the right flavour profile and a full mouthfeel. Not a complex beer but rather a summer beer that works within the style parameters

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 01:40:46 | More by canucklehead

ElGordo

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the12oz bottle into a pint glass. Body is pretty cloudy with a nice, golden straw color. Aroma of light pale malt, a touch of wheat, dry yeast, and a mildly fruity character that has a hint of white grapes.
Palate is a blend of pale malt and fruity hops. Notes of white grapes, cereal grains, and a very dry yeast quality. Body is a touch thin, even for a thin style, but still carries the flavor alright. A refreshing option on a hot summer night - fairly authentic for the style from an American brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 05:05:28 | More by ElGordo

harrymel

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottled unk

A: golden straw ale with only a central cap of bone white foam. Excellent clarity. No lace.

S: dry grain and hints of grass. Pretty simple to do, and nice.

T: sweet and creamy. Corn and hints of yeast.

M: light and sparkly. Body is right. Carb a hint low.

O: easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 02:38:55 | More by harrymel

Elimination

Oregon

3.3/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very yellow, not so clear, has a bit of haze in it, but not enough to say it is cloudy

Smell is deinate pils malt, bready, grainy, a bit of sweet, some slight apple like fruit notes.

Taste is a very soft bread, sweeter, the apple like flavors are there, golden delicious almost. A tad bit of vanilla. A bit of tart, not sour, but just a sting of something.

Mouthfeel is pretty high carbed, despite it sitting on the counter for a few minutes, thin, doesnt have a lot of presence, but is to style

Overall, I love kolsh's but this felt more like an american blonde ale. I didnt get any yeast character suggesting it was a kolsh, felt very neutral really. A good beer, if possibly labeled different

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 03:25:23 | More by Elimination

draheim

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into my weizen glass. No bottled-on or best-by date but this is a 2011 batch.

Very pale greenish-yellow color with a 1-finger head. Nice carbonation, champagne-like bubbles.

Aroma is very faint, not much to go on there.

Taste is crisp, light, refreshing. Grainy, faint lemon. Tastes like a 3% ABV light beer, but somehow better. Slightly bitter aftertaste, clean finish.

I haven't had many versions of this style, Gaffel and Reissdorf I think - not sure this quite measures up but still pretty good for a local offering. Would be perfect for a hot late July afternoon, I could drink a 6-pack of this if the conditions were right.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 04:43:23 | More by draheim

grittybrews

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark straw gold into a pint glass with a thin film of white head. Light aroma of lemon and grass.

Moderate carbonation and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Strong lemon citrus up front with some subtle notes of honey/caramel malt sweetness, grass, and gentle hop bitterness on the finish.

Light and quite refreshing, if not especially memorable.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 05:39:52 | More by grittybrews

industrialswill

Washington

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I found this for $6.99 at the Co-op in Everett.
A nice shade of "beer yellow" with a minimal head.
The smell is fragrant, somewhat flowery.
Tastes like every budget brand American Lager should! If I didn't know any better, I'd guess that I'm drinking something closer to what the original brewers of our standard swill brought with them to this country.
What I like most about this beer is the nutty aftertaste and the overall drinkability that invites over indulgence.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 20:42:22 | More by industrialswill

DHirning

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I taste some belgian yeasts. I agree with the other reviewers, in that it is a little strong for a kolsch (but then, I've asked people to define a kolsch and no one really can). I think Hale's is a good brewery... not a great one. But my standards are high.

This is a drinkable beer. And when I say "drinkable" I mean that it goes down fairly easy--not too strong. You could drink a pitcher of this easy. Refreshing. Medium body. Some zip. I'd say you can give this to a lager drinker and say, "Here, here's a beer with a taste." And don't scare them with something strong :-)

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2010 01:25:07 | More by DHirning

NickH44

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Date Tasted: 8/16/2010
Name of Beer: Hale's Kolsch
Style of Beer: Kolsch
ABV: 4.5%
Brewery: Hale's Ales Brewery
Brewery Location: Seattle, WA
Where I acquired it and price: Central Market in Poulsbo, WA for 7.99/six-pack.
My Location: Living room. Watching bad TV late at night.
Draught/Bottle/Can: 12 oz. bottle
Glassware: Pint glass
Appearance: Light, golden, but not clear.
Aromatics: Grainy, with fruity notes. Detecting some apple scents.
Flavor: Crisp, clean, refreshing. Bready, and mildly fruity.
Score: 8/10.

So Kolsch beers aren't exactly "my style". The beers I'd say are "my style" are the beers I'd start my night of drinking with. Kolsch beers are the kind of beer I'd end my night with. They're also the first style of ale I'd recommend to someone who is getting into beer but prefers American style lagers. Hale's is a really solid brewery, probably the best in Washington State. I say that reluctantly, and completely partially. But I've had enough beers from almost all WA breweries to make such a declaration. Like I said, this isn't anywhere near one of my favorite styles of beer, but they have their place, and this is probably the best of the style I've ever had. This beer should be consumed while doing yardwork... or desk work.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 09:06:19 | More by NickH44

appenzeller

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light gold with low clarity, substantial and thick head. Smell is of honey and grass, the taste is similar, a nice sweet maltiness and moderate hops. This beer is thick and substantial for the style, too much really to fit the "kolsch" style. Very refreshing, though, as a kolsch should be.

I'd prefer Hale's just market this as a spring ale or something like that--kolsch really isn't the right designation. Nonetheless, this one's a keeper.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 07:22:48 | More by appenzeller

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.22/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a deep straw yellow color with good carbonation and a nice white head

S: Nose is nice with little bit grain, fruit and grass

T: Nice. Has a crisp taste, little bit of hops, light alcohol, fruits, bit of wheat and grass

M: Lighter bodies but good and crisp

D: Try one.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 00:49:51 | More by barleywinefiend

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this one courtesy of fthomasl and a recent Beervana vacation, thanks Frank! 12 oz bottle without a freshness date pours a surprisingly clear and dark gold color. Head is fairly dense and lasts for a good while. Lacing is great.

Nose has a very nice, distinctive kolsch yeast aroma. It's a bit on the sweet side, but it is one of the more powerful smelling versions of the style I have had. Sweet cream and green peppercorns come to mind.

Certainly one of the more interesting interpretations of the style, it is pretty much bursting with flavor and the body is big, bold and creamy. Kolsch yeast is very assertive and has a zesty, spicy floral feel to it. Malts are grainy and sweet and are balanced by a strong hop bite on the finish that lingers a good while. Sometimes a thirst-quenching, simple smooth kolsch is what you want....for the rest of the time, try this one. I like it, I think it works, especially in a style that has traditionally been pretty narrow as far as flavor profiles.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2010 18:43:03 | More by twiggamortis420

flagmantho

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: ever-so-slightly opaque pale straw hue with a 1-finger white head.

Smell: subtle; malt, earthy hops and a chalky aroma.

Taste: nice sweet malt; again some mild earthy hops and an interesting chalky/creamy taste that is frankly more appealing in taste than aroma. Malt has a slight tree fruit character.

Mouthfeel: medium-to-light body with an appropriate level of carbonation. That chalkiness lends to a creaminess whick I like.

Drinkability: quite good. They have this on tap at my local watering hole, so I think I may have to get a couple pints next time I'm there.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2009 03:41:04 | More by flagmantho

jkdrummer

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light golden straw hue and little hazy (might have been served too cold to begin with) not much of a head either. The carbonation was very light. The smell was actually malty with a grassy aromas. Taste was very light sweet -- I hate to say this but it really reminded me of a Budweiser. Little hops and a nice beer for a summer day. Might be a good beer for those Bud drinkers looking for an adventure.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2009 16:11:52 | More by jkdrummer

IceEyes

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straw yellow with some haziness. Smells of grain with a light touch of fruit. Thin white head and lively carbonation.

Taste has a framework of cereal and bread with a gentle wash of sweetness. The finish has some balance but isn't overly bitter. On the whole, this kolsch is very refreshing. I could drink this all day.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2009 20:20:19 | More by IceEyes

kraven

Idaho

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Was able to enjoy two pints of this wonderful at the front door in boise id.

Mike from hales was there, big hales night it was.

I enjoyed two pint of this wonderful ale. One of the best Kolsch style ales i have had the pleasure to enjoy.

Pours wonderfully into the the glass. I wish i had the words to describe how it smelt, but it smelt wonderful, i just do not have the vocabulary to describe it, it has that spicey Belgian taste that is hard for me to describe.

Usually I am a hop head but every now and then a beer burns into my taste buds and makes me remember why beer is the best beverage.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2009 04:10:51 | More by kraven

dukew456

Oregon

3.1/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into my Lazy Magnolia glass

Pours a clear, bright straw color with a decent head that leaves a little bit of lacing down the glass. The head doesn't stick around for very long, and is very dispersed, but it's a pretty acceptable look.

Smell is pretty one dimensional, with a grainy, corn husk malt scent hitting heavy and a slight sour, metallic finish. This is kind of odd

The taste of this has a sort of pilsner-style bread thing going on, but without the clean finish. Also, there's a weird kind of fruit thing going on here, not what I expect out of most kolsch-style stuff. Mouthfeel, however, is about what I expected, with a medium body.

I could see myself drinking a few of these in the summer, but for the price one can do much better.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 02:25:24 | More by dukew456

beertunes

Washington

2.2/5  rDev -41.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into pint glass. Poured a deep straw color, darker than expected for the style. Minimal head with minimal lacing.

Basic "light" beer aroma with a certain tang. There was an acidic flavor, not found in most Kolsch beers, that was unpleasant. The body was as expected for the style, as was drinkability. Except for the fact that drinking several is not what I think any beer lover would want to do.

This is perhaps the weakest beer I've had from this brewery. While Hales is not among the best local breweries, this is the first time they've ever let me down.

Serving type: growler

04-10-2009 23:46:27 | More by beertunes

RedDiamond

Oregon

2.98/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Hale's served their kölsch to me as yellow-gold with modest clarity and no head or lace. This, plus the complete absence of carbonation told me straight away that something was amiss. The taste was of modest, yeasted creaminess, but of such limited reach as to thwart appeal. It would seem to embody Hale's reach-for-the-low-rung philosophy of benign averageness. The slight pils malt aroma proved to be the beer's most redeeming quality as there was otherwise little of note to distinguish this blasé hybrid vehicle.

Not an altogether bad beer. But it lacks for vigor and purpose and the yeasted aftertaste refused to quit.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2009 04:57:22 | More by RedDiamond

SeattleBeerBlog

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A great Beer.

A great color with a little haze to it that makes it appear more malty than it tastes.

Smells good, a little hint of citrus hops and just makes you want to drink it.

Tastes great, exactly how I imagine a Kolsch should taste in Germany. Light re-freshing yet full of flavor.

Awesome mouthfeel, smooth yet still some substance that goes down easy.

Highly drinkable, may be my new go to beer for relaxing during the summer.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 02:36:36 | More by SeattleBeerBlog

djeucalyptus

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a hazy light golden straw hue, not far from white grapefruit pulp in color. A stunning billowy bleached-white head has impressive retention before leaving some nice lacing.

aroma is a bit citrusy - lemons and oranges, a bit fruity with some pear and apple, and a touch of light crisp malt.

Taste follows aroma with some nice pilsner-esque malting accentuated by some sweetness from a touch of fruit esters, a bit of tartness from citrus notes, and just a hint of clean pine hops at the finish.

Mouthfeel is crisp and clean. a touch vinous (green grape skins?) and fairly drying, but overall full and crisp with impressive carbonation.

The interesting complexity of flavors, the slightly drying notes, and the full carbonation prevent this one from being incredibly sessionable, although I could see going through a few glasses. Crisp and refreshing with just enough going on to keep everything interesting. A great example of a kölsch, and definitely one to add to the list of regular rotation brews.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2009 18:11:58 | More by djeucalyptus

olmatty

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance- Pours a bright white, fizzy, low head with no retention, beer is a hazy golden yellow

Smell- Wheaty with a bit of sour and a good bitter aroma. Fresh.

Taste- Light grainy, wheaty flavor and just the right amount of bitter hops washed over the palate. A light citrus from grains and notes of white grape. Slightly sour and malty finish. An authentic recreation of German Kolsch.

Mouthfeel- Very crisp with lots of tingly bubbles.

Drinkability- Goes down quite easily. Low ABV, but it drinks almost like a soft drink. I could probably drink quite a few of these on a hot day; actually, I think I will. Very tasty, but light bodied and refreshing. Beats the hell out of pils in my book. I never understood why Kolsch hasn't caught on as a summer beer in the USA. Leave it to clever marketing and poor taste to make Coors Light the preferred light. Hale's Kolsch is not bad in winter either, but I crave this style in summer.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2009 06:53:16 | More by olmatty

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.6/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Review from notes

Pours an effervescent & chill hazed gold with 2 fingers of pearl white head. Super head retention & lacing

S: Perfumy hops & lemon

T: Honey malt, with breadyness, grainyness, lemons & pear fruittyness up front. More grainyness, fruittyness, & lemons as this warms. Finishes with great hop crispness & grainyness

MF: Medium bodied, crisp, effervescent, with great balance

Great take on the style, I could happily session on this on a warm day. Easily the best beer I've have from Hale's

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2008 04:24:31 | More by russpowell

zeff80

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, golden-yellow color with a small, white head that left no lace. Relatively highly carbonated and fizzy.

S - It smelled of floral and citrus notes. Also, grain and caramel aromas.

T - It tasted very grainy and sweet. It also had a slight bitter hop bite.

M - It was crisp and sharp. A light-bodied beer.

D - Like all Kolsch-style ales this was very easy to drink. Not very flavorful but very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 01:41:30 | More by zeff80