ABSENT LANDLORD ~ COWBELL BREWING CO.

Absent Landlord is Cowbell’s interpretation of a new world Kölsch. It is brewed with German Kölsch Ale yeast and both old world and new world hops and malts. It is fermented warm and left unfiltered and unpasteurized. It is named for Henry Blyth, Esq. whom the town it is brewed is named for. In the mid 1800’s he bought most of the most of the town, sign unseen, and never made the voyage from Berkshire England to visit. Sampled from a tin the beer poured a slightly cloudy golden yellow with a thick foamy bone coloured head that left very little lacing. The mild nose had graininess, citrus, biscuity malts, a touch of spice and caramel, crackery notes and fruity yeasts (apple and peach). The flavour too is mellow and slightly on the sweet side, with notes of cereal grain, yeasts, orchard fruits, hay, citrus, and a touch of resiny herbal bitterness from the hops at the end. The mouthfeel was medium and the carbonation was on the lively side. The finish was drying. This is a nicely balanced clean and bright beer. A decent brew at a very reasonable price.

5.3% from Blyth, Ontario 18 IBU

LOST CTAFT ~ REVIVALE KÖLSCH

Lost Craft Beer is a new brewery in Toronto, presently being brewed on contract by the Cool Brewing Company. Sampled from a tin, the beer poured a clear light golden yellow with a head of small white bubbles. The nose is very mild with hints of grains and yeast. The flavour is quite mellow and refreshing. It has light hops and grainy malts with a slight sweetness. The finish is smooth and the mouth feel is light bodied. A decent Kölsch and a good lawnmower beer on a hot day, but nothing really special. The beer is well branded and marketed. The matte finish white tin stands out at the liquor store and their slogan ‘4 for the 6’ gives a nod to TO.’s Drake. The founder, Shehan DeSilva’s, focus is to have the beer served at some of the cities trendiest nightclubs and restaurants.

4.8% from Toronto IBU 19

Picture courtesy: LOST CRAFT INSTAGRAM

GATEWAY KOLSCH ~ SAWDUST CITY

This beer is a Kölsch styled beer (lagered-ale). This style originate in Koln Germany. Sawdust City ages their Kölsch a little longer than the style would call for, to mellow out the flavours and make this an easy drinking sessionale beer. I wonder if the “Gateway” in the name is the gateway to introduce people into craft beers. Sampled on draft this beer poured a clear light golden yellow with a puffy white head. The nose was very mild with hints of straw and citrus. Taste too was very mild. There was a pleasant crisp pilsner like quality, a little sweetness, a hint of noble hops and a crisp finish. The bitterness was very low, the body was light and the carbonation was medium high. This is a simple, very quaffable easy drinking summer beer.

WATER: Pure Muskoka Water
BARLEY/MALT: Canadian 2-row barley, wheat
HOPS: magnum, spalt
YEAST: California ale

20 IBU 5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario

 ~MOONLIGHT KETTLE JUST PEACHY ~ 

MUSKOKA BREWERY

This Kölsch beer is part of Muskoka Brewing limited edition one-offs.  The nose is that of light peaches.  The peaches lend a very subtle sweetness to the beer, but are barely identifiable as flavour.  Beer is sweet and dry with a nice bitterness on the finish.

5%  from Bracebridge, Ontario   25 IBU
 -beer 94-

 ~KOLSCH ~ 

KILANNAN BREWING COMPANY

Originally brewed in Germany, Kölsch is defined by an agreement of the members of the Cologne Brewing Association. (Kölsch Convention).  Kölsch is a lagered ale.  It is warm fermented and then lagered in cold temperatures.  Kilannan’s beer is brewed with German malts. It is a bright straw colour. Refreshing Summer beer.

5% from Owen Sound, Ontario.  -beer 3-