Profiled by Maria Devan
Cheers you all.. My camera broke and my phone only has 2 mp. That is a real let down for me. Anyway, I am getting a new one but not today. New Beer Sunday is coming so I thought I would TELL you about Long Trail Summer Ale. In the old bjcp it says something about the kolsch style beer.
“To the untrained taster easily mistaken for a light lager, a somewhat subtle Pilsner, or perhaps a blonde ale.”
With the idea of the authenticity of the kolsch and the appellation designation in mind, calling your beer a blonde or simply an ale and presenting a kolsch might be entirely well done. I believe this is a great example of this bjcp statement. Pretty clear and softly golden with a white head that lasts well. The nose is fresh breaddy and has a graceful hop floral accented by a light fruity twang. It resembles the kolsch. Is that fruity ester a little too strong? It is slightly “wine like” anyway. Hops are a bit more than modest and the malt is creamy and round but not as breaddy as the pilsner. I would say the bubble gives that malt a bit of extra dryness. The hops are restrained in the finish and show no herbal. Just a clean medium bitterness. What is missing is the slight pucker in the kolsch. That would distinguish this beer and it is very subtle. Finishes bitter with hop pepper and crackery malt. A touch too much bite in the bubbles.
Fragrant and mild this is a lovely summer beer.
4
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
____________________Beer HERE
___________________________________________________________________
Of the many breweries who have entertained my palate over the years; one of the very, very few that have failed to bore me, or even make me go, “Eh,†is North Coast, whose Old Rasputin makes me drool. 
Yes, to the left is Ken Carman. Obviously Ken is a mere cartoon character who reviews beer. A magical nymph turns the beer into something a cartoon character can drink.
Thick, very white, head that hold well with tiny bubbles and some pillow. Very hazy, urine yellow. The haze may be wheat, tho I really didn’t get any, or the cold pressed-like coffee. But it is supposed to be clear.
I’d love to try this as just a Kolsch. I am guessing it’s a tad like a lawnmower Kolsch. The Kolsch could use more but that would put it out of balance with the light coffee sense that dominates just a hint. Too cold and you don’t get it. Once it warms the coffee gently pops out. 
Ken Carman is a beer dog who slops up various styles as a beer judge, homebrewer and craft beer lover since the 70s all over the U.S.,especially the east coast. I mean the only way he could have done more would be an injection needle, and what’s the fun in that? That’s what he has morphed into the picture that you see to the left. Here at PGA we have to keep him on a tight leash. Very tight. We’re worried he may like it too much.
This is such an anomaly for Ommegang. The color right: black as hell, almost no light shines through, thick, high viscosity/FG, brownish head. On the nose: heavy roast, some hops in the background. So far close to a perfect score, except a hint of…
You must be logged in to post a comment.