Last month we wrote that all of the June "BotW" selections will be based upon reader suggestions, and encouraged your input. We've sifted through the e-mails, wrote back to many of you (with apologies for those to whom we didn't reply; we received a lot of recommendations). If there's anything we've learned in our time at Chicagoist, it's that you readers take your beer seriously. Not quite as seriously as debating whether the tapas restaurant that opened three doors from your apartment is a foreboding sign of gentrification, but still quite serious.
Our first selection was one of two beers recommended by more than one reader. Reader Doug Fawley wrote that a German friend of his "hails this as a fine example" of a classic German beer style, while reader "D H" says that it's his current favorite, "a refreshing change of pace" from what he normally drinks. It's locally brewed, available only through the hot months, and certainly worthy of honoring as a "BotW" selection.
The beer? Goose Island Summertime kölsch.
Kölsch beers, popular in Cologne, are refreshing clear golden ales with lots of fruit on the nose, with a hop flavor that isn't as powerful as a pilsner. Traditionally, a kölsch is poured into a thin cylindrical glass known as a stange. However, here in the States, stanges are often used as marketing gimmicks for pilsners - Paulaner and Trumer being two examples that come to mind. What we wind up seeing is Summertime being poured in a standard pub pint, because we're a nation of gluttons. If you frequent a bar that stocks stanges, ask your bartender to pour Summertime in one, and see the immediate difference in flavor versus a pint. Because of the shape of a stange, you get more head on the beer, which isn't a bad thing. Slow pour foam protects beer from oxygen, which can break down the flavors.
Goose Island Summertime pours with a craggy head and lots of esters on the nose. The flavor of this beer starts off subtle. Then the balance of malt and hops combine to make this a smooth drinking beer. Coupled with the citrus of the yeast used, Summertime is reminiscent of a fruity pilsner. The finish of this beer is crisp, leaving you wanting another pint. In the dog days of August, this is the perfect beer to help you ward off the heat and humidity.
Goose Island Summertime is an easily drinkable beer. "D H" wrote that his favorite beer is "312" Wheat Ale. Certainly the two beers look similar, but the flavors are two completely different beasts. "312" has a bright spice coupled with citrus on the palate, and finishes slightly sour and dry. As we wrote last month, it's a gateway beer, but not necessary for leading you to Summertime. Doug and "D H" have picked a good selection for you, one worthy of designation as Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."
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Can't agree with you on this one. It's not a bad beer, if you buy bottles and use very clean, well-rinsed glasses (thin Pilsener glasses work OK. Unfortunately, if last year is any indication, it'll be flat and boring if you drink it at the average bar.
I don't see the point of drinking kolsch instread of weissbeer, especially with excellent US brands available, like Two Brothers Ebel-wiess and Allagash.
Odd. That was exactly what I was going to recommend. I had my first one of these last night and had very similar thoughts about it. Nice and light and wheaty.
Super, super light. I guess Kolsch is good for a really hot day.
Not sure why the brewpub has never served it in the correct glass.
This one just isn't very flavorful to me. Too light and citrusy. A bit boring, even for summer fare.
How can something be not very flavorful but also too citrusy? Isn't "citrusy" a flavor?
I meant that of the flavors that are present, the citrus is too prominent.
So it's not very flavorful except for the overwhelming citrusy flavor and you have to buy the right glass? Good choice.
So it's not very flavorful except for the overwhelming citrusy flavor and you have to drink it out of the right glass? Great choice!
We sell this at my workplace.
And on more than one occasion, a couple of people would order the normal "Bud, Miller Lite, Corona" stuff, then one guy/girl would see this on tap and would order it. After everyone asks for a sip of this, the next time I come to the table I end up selling a whole table a round of this. Ka-Ching! Alcohol upsell!!!
Anyway, it is pretty tasty and personal experience says this always makes people happy.
I've had it from the bottle and in a pint glass from the bottle and i still like it. i think the point is that to fully enjoy it you need to put it in the right glass, as many many alcoholic beverages are.
"A traditional German glass, stange means "stick" and these tall, slender cylinders are used to serve more delicate beers, amplifying malt and hop nuances." -BeerAdvocate Paulaner, being a Munich beer and Trumer, a Salzburg inspired beer, would not surprisingly be found served in a stange. Marketing gimmick or proper glassware? Can't burn both ends of the candle.
Thanks for the review Chuck and all the nice comments, Chicagoists. Goose Island was the first American brewer to use an authenic German Kolsch yeast in our beer in 1990. I love the delicate balance of pilsener like crispness and the tartness from the Kolsch yeast. We even won a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2002 for our Summertime Kolsch. It's only availble until August, so drink up! Cheers, Greg
For Fuck's sake, people - get over the glass. This isn't your pretentious wine... just drink it! If you can't enjoy it out of a ball jar then sign yourself into Robert Parker's University of Beverage Snobbery. Christ!
Also, if you think this is "light" beer - compared to Miller Lite, et al., you need a beer intervention.
You detractors are pretentious, whiny snobs. Go listen to yer Jeff Tweedy and stare at your shoes.
I first had this at the Taste in 2003, and I thought then (and still do) that it is one of the top three brews made in this country.
I just thought the traditional Kolsch glass would be a nice touch.
Not sure who Jeff Tweedy is, but staring at my SB Dunks does make me happy.