Dariusz

Overall score: 7/10, would make again

Its name chosen due to the fairly odd choices made during design and brew, KryptoKölsch pleasantly surprises its drinker. Our dear readers might know, D’s brewing style tends toward the traditional. However, this particular kölsch might leave some wondering what he was doing.

Aroma:

Upon opening the bottle, KryptoKölsch delivers a blast of Hallertau Blanc hops, and drier Sauv Blanc wines. Light notes of cereal and grain support the fruity overtones. It is almost completely devoid of ester and yeasty notes on the nose.

Taste:

The Hallertau Blanc hops were a choice and one that I support. Velvety smooth, this beer delivers delightful cereal notes, with a white wine finish. While this may sound… interesting to the say the least.

Choosing 2 row for appearance (see next section) removes a bit of the typical German soul from this beer, but does not impinge on its tastiness.

As far as yeast, this beer had fermented a tad higher than ideal, but I cannot detect any adverse flavoring due to it.

It’s delicious with a quesadilla, tell you that much.

Appearance:

Clear as day, Clarity Ferm worked its magic again on this beer.

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A bit darker than I might have intended, I think using Munich instead of 2-row won’t make that much of a difference in the future.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoy this beer and will keep it in my back pocket for a delicious summer brew.

Feel free to take this recipe, augment it, and make it your own. Otherwise, we’ll still be here defending the Wall.

Nick

You know how much I love a good book… err, beer. And, just like literature, some of the most important books are the classics. To that end, KryptoKölsch fulfils its penultimate goal of exemplifying a classic, German taste with a strange predilection of internet-facing commerce.

Aroma:

How do you feel about wheat? This beer distinctly smells of its grain profile: a clear, level-headed selection of grains that makes sense for the style. The aroma is subtle, yet inviting.

Taste:

True to its roots, KryptoKölsch is a simple-yet-proud display of its core elements. The sweet, maltiness from the grain. The subtle bitterness of hops. The clean and clear taste of Chicago’s public water supply. The faint reminiscence of the shared lineage of a fine sourdough. All-in-all, it is a clean and crisp reminder of beer’s natural roots. While I prefer the esoteric and the adventurous, this is a simple reminder of beer’s humble origins and Germany’s mastery of the craft.

Appearance:

This is a beer hall drink, and best served in a tall, dark stein. For those how prefer glass, you’ll notice a beautiful and dark amber color.

Final Thoughts:

It is good to drink things you wouldn’t brew, and to be reminded of the craft’s origin. While the pure simplicity of German styles leaves much room for improvisation, there is never harm in returning to one’s roots.