Schell's Zommerfest

Schell's Zommerfest
Type of beer: Kölsch
Container Type: 355 mL bottle
Alcohol by volume: 5.00%
Country of origin: United States
Rating: 49% (see below)
Number of times I've had this beer: 1st
Cost: $1.25
Tasted on: 6/28/10
Colours of label: Yellow/Gold/White
Drank From: Heinie Glass

Label Reads: “The August Schell brewing company is the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States.”

website: www.schellsbrewery.com
Best for: polishing your silverware
Ratings:
Taste: 10/20
Flavour: 11/20
Buy again: 9/20
Aroma: 4/10
Satisfaction: 5/10
Complexity: 5/10
Intangible: 5/10

Handwritten notes: What's the deal with "lacing"? Why do I see so many beer reviews that comment on a beer's lacing? Who gives? I know, I know, it's part of the whole hedonistic sensory experience. I just think it is a bunch of bullshit and just something to fill the page, like the banal chatter of news anchors as the newscast ends. You mean to tell me that Ray Charles would like a beer less than I do because the fucker can't see the little marks on the side of the glass? Ugh. Where was I? I'm not sure I care for this beer, it feels a bit acidic in the back of the throat and quite tart. The uneasy feeling of choking back vomit presents itself with each sip... the beer is that caustic. However, the lacing was AWESOME AS FUCK. It was like looking into the face of God.

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Beer #425 of 3,652

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale
Type of beer: Kölsch
Container Type: 355 mL bottle

Alcohol by volume: 5.0%
Country of origin: United States
Rating: 52% (see below)
Number of times I've had this beer: 1st
Cost: $1.25
Tasted on: 11/2/09
Colours of label: Green/Red/White
Drank From: GW Glass
Label Reads: "Know how to spot a stupid dog? Just look for the one biting the tire of the car that’s running over it. Know how to spot a smart one? He’ll be lapping up our refreshing Golden Ale. This perfect warm-weather beer goes down so easy, you’ll be lifting your leg all over town. Smart dog."
website: www.flyingdogales.com
Best for: Being funny. Not "ha ha" funny, but, like Robin Williams funny.
Ratings:
Taste: 11/20
Flavour: 11/20
Buy again: 12/20
Aroma: 4/10
Satisfaction: 3/10
Complexity: 4/10
Intangible: 5/10
Handwritten notes: This is an American take on the German lager. I guess that's what Kölsch means. It has a light honey taste but little or much else. I can appreciate the attempt at crafting a Kölsch, but there are several subtleties to the genre, you can't just throw a bunch of cadaver parts together, slap a suit jacket on it, and call it a human being. Gee whiz.

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Beer #350 of 3,652

Goose Island Summertime

Goose Island Summertime
Type of beer: Kölsch
Container Type: 355 mL bottle
Alcohol by volume: 4.7%
Country of origin: United States
Rating: 72% (see below)
Number of times I've had this beer: 1st
Cost: $1.25
Tasted on: 10/9/09
Colours of label: Blue/Orange/Black
Drank From: Glass
Label Reads: "Traditional German Style Kölsch"
website: www.gooseisland.com
Best for: Listening to Billy Stewart
Ratings:
Taste: 13/20
Flavour: 14/20
Buy again: 15/20
Aroma: 7/10
Satisfaction: 7/10
Complexity: 8/10
Intangible: 8/10

Handwritten notes: Another Kölsch so soon. It is interesting to note the comparison between this and the Summit Kölsch. This one does leave the American hops up front, but gives way to a fruity body. The transition is there, from dewy-grassed morning to radiating heat. It is also strange to me that it seems like I had a million-and-one porters & stouts in summer and now it is frickin stout weather and I have some summery brews. Oh well. Drink and learn, I guess.

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Beer #318 of 3,652

Summit Kölsch

Summit Kölsch
Type of beer: Kölsch
Container Type: 355 mL bottle
Alcohol by volume: 4.70%
Country of origin: United States
Rating: 79% (see below)
Number of times I've had this beer: 1st
Cost: $1.90
Tasted on: 10/17/09
Colours of label: Tan/Black/Green
Drank From: HP Glass
Label Reads: "Unchained series", "Batch 01".
website: www.summitbrewing.com
Best for: watching "Labyrinth"
Ratings:
Taste: 15/20
Flavour: 16/20
Buy again: 16/20
Aroma: 7/10
Satisfaction: 8/10
Complexity: 8/10
Intangible: 9/10

Handwritten notes: The initial smell of this beer is of a German lager, like what I'm sure the German countryside smells like. I am hesitant to try an American micro brew that is not some sort of Ale, for fear that there will be a mess o' hops thrown in just for the hell of it. This beer is done right. It has a nice, bitter finish, with all European style hops (not a hint of grapefruit to be found). It has a "fuller" taste than I would have expected. Pretty gööd.

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Beer #313 of 3,652