Chicagoist: Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week": Readers' Choice #1

joe m500

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:10:40 -0600

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.

sjs1959

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:41:37 -0600

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.

dawgbite

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:21:54 -0600

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.

brewer greg

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:56:00 -0600

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

Kevin

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:28:40 -0600

"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.

Mike

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:18:51 -0600

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.

thundercougarfalconbird

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:14:46 -0600

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.

bsutton530

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:36:21 -0600

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!

bsutton530

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:34:24 -0600

So it's not very flavorful except for the overwhelming citrusy flavor and you have to buy the right glass? Good choice.

mike

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:03:30 -0600

I meant that of the flavors that are present, the citrus is too prominent.

Mike

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:56:28 -0600

How can something be not very flavorful but also too citrusy? Isn't "citrusy" a flavor?

mike

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:45:24 -0600

This one just isn't very flavorful to me. Too light and citrusy. A bit boring, even for summer fare.

joe m500

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:41:43 -0600

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.

Greg

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:29:08 -0600

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.

Giant Rabbit

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:28:20 -0600

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.