Konverter Kolsch
Brewery: Whitestone Brewery
Style: Kolsch (5B)
Package: 12oz Can
Purchased: Beer to go!
Canned Date: March 26, 2020
Consumed Date: June 26, 2020
Details From the Brewer
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 17
Our Konverter Kolsch is light, extremely clear and crisp. It drinks with mild malt sweetness with a low earthy hop aroma. We call it the “Konverter” because we believe this easy-drinking beer is the perfect stepping stone into the craft beer scene.
Review
Aroma – 7/12
Moderate sweetness and grainy malt with a bit of honey and biscuit hit the nose first. There’s a low red-apple ester as well. A faint aroma of floral hops in the background.
Appearance – 3/3
Pours a vibrant gold with great clarity. No haze is present. Ivory bubbles make up a modest head that lasts with average retention.
Flavor – 15/20
Similar to the aroma, a sweet grainy malt flavor takes the front stage on the taste. That bit of honey is there as well. Low levels of apple and pear fruity esters. A low bitterness comes out in the mid taste. Light floral and a touch of herbal hop character at the end. The finish is slow with the malt character lingering.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
Moderate carbonation prickles the back of the mouth. Medium bodied throughout the taste. No astringency. Soft finish but a bit bigger presence than expected. A minute alcohol warming lingers in the throat.
Overall Impression – 6/10
This is a fine Kolsch. The clarity here is beautiful. It’s easy drinking and unobtrusive. The malt expression is nice, but I’d like to see the yeast expression a bit higher to match it. While the body is nice, more attenuation would make the finish snappier and align with the style. This is a well made kolsch, just needing some balance tweaking to hang with the best versions of the style.
Rating – 35/50
I wasn’t too happy with the beers at Whitestone I tried during my first visit years ago. This Kolsch is on a much higher level than what they were putting out originally. I’ve heard some good feedback on their IPAs lately as well. I’ll be looking forward to trying more of their beers soon.
