Kolsch 45 - Short's Brewing Company

StoutHunter

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked up a bottle of Short's Kolsch 45 last week for $1.69 at The Lager Mill. This a newly released beer from Short's and the first time it has been bottled, so lets see how this Kolsch turns out. No visible bottling date, fresh spring release. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a imperial pint glass.

A- I like name of this beer and the label is good too, it's nicely done and it shows what the number 45 really stands for. It poured a fairly clear straw yellow color that looked more gold when held to the light and it had two and a half fingers worth of fluffy white head that died down to a thin ring that stayed till the end and left some spotty lacing. This is a proper looking Kolsch, I have no complaints.

S- The aroma starts off with loads of malts that have a medium amount of sweetness and imparts lots of bread and biscuit aromas that seem to dominate the aroma of this beer. Next a get some doughy yeast aromas followed by some light citrus hop aromas. This Kolsch, had a nice aroma with some extra citrus aromas that I don't normally find in this style, I like it.

T- The taste is very similar to the aroma and starts off with loads of pale malts that have a lower amount of medium sweetness and impart lots of bread and biscuit flavors with the bread flavors sticking out the most. Next I get some slightly doughy yeast that is followed by a pretty light amount of citrusy hops that impart a very light citrus flavor. Towards the end I get more bread flavors with a light amount of bitterness on the finish and a very bready and grainy aftertaste. This was a nice tasting Kolsch that was just a little different with the light citrus hops addition, I like it.

M- Very smooth, crisp,on the medium side of being light bodied, and it had a nice amount of medium carbonation. There was nothing off with the mouthfeel, it worked nicely with this beer and was true to style.

Overall I enjoyed this beer and I thought it was a good example of the style, this beer had just about everything that this style is known for with just a slight twist to let you know that this is a Short's brew. This beer had great drinkability, it was very smooth and refreshing, with enough flavor to hold my attention, I could see drinking a bunch of these on a hot summer day, a good warm weather beer just as the style intends. What I liked most about this beer was that is was very well rounded and pretty true to style. What I liked least about this beer was nothing, but I do wish this beer wasn't so limited, my local beer store only got two cases that's not a lot when it comes to this style of beer. I would buy this beer again if there's any left when I go back, it's six pack worthy, but with it being so limited it will not last, I recommend this beer to anyone, just a clean, tasty, drinkable beer. Short's did a great job with this beer and they kept it pretty traditional but I did enjoy the slight citrus aspect that you don't normally get in this style, it was a nice addition to this beer and it worked well with the other flavors. This is now my favorite Kolsch, it was New Hollands Full Circle, but I find this beer to be slightly better. I am glad you guys decided to bottle this beer and I hope to see more of it next summer, good job guys this is another solid brew from one of my favorite brewery's.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 03:44:27 | More by StoutHunter

webmanspidey

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a cloudy golden color and only slightly fizzy. Smell has a mix of sour lemon, slight hops, and some sweet honey and grain. Taste is a very balanced mix between sweet honey, sour lemon, and bitter hops and orange peel. This is very drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 18:57:34 | More by webmanspidey

33nickadams

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is golden-yellow and not completely transparent. Very effervescent bubbles float rather quickly to the top. A 1/4 finger of white head. Smells bready, grassy and with some esters. Refreshing, clean with some fruitiness. Everything is subtle with not one taste overpowering another. Mouthfeel is light and airy. Overall, I enjoyed the pilsener like qualities of it and can appreciate the slight fruitiness the ale yeast brings. I would have liked to see it more clear though. A great beer for summer.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 00:23:39 | More by 33nickadams

alexgash

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Rather hazy, dark lemon body. Small, tight-laced, eggshell white head. Minimal lacing. Honey wheat bread malts, along with corn flakes, light citrus, and maybe a touch of pine on the nose.

Light, slightly toasted malt up front. Clean, bready, almost cereal-y. Maybe a touch of honey. Herbal, peppery, spicy hop bitterness arises and crescendos. Hint of pine in the finish. Dry and clean and very thirst-quenching on this hot evening! Moderate body with a crisp feel. Very tasty and perfect for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 22:01:03 | More by alexgash