Gardner Summers End

Brewed by Gardner Ale House
Style: Kölsch
Gardner, Massachusetts USA

Serve in Kölsch/Altbier

on tap-pours a white head and hazy pale yellow color. Aroma is wheat/light malt. Taste is spice/lemon hops, slightly sweet grain.

Part of a sampler set--all of which had great heads and left ample lace. This is one of the palest beers I’ve ever seen--light straw color with a modest haze. Malty and raw grain aromas; there’s another smell that is subtly detracting, but I can’t label it. It reminds me of an earthiness that is sometimes present in farmhouse ales. There’s a light hop that provides a counterpoint to the stronger raw grain flavor. Some spiciness and citrus elements. Quite thin body. Short lived aftertaste. Surprising level of malt flavor given the color.

Part of sampler at brewpub. This was my least favorite of what I tried at GAH. Found it to be a bit on the boring side but I do not tend to like this style all that much in gerneral.

My Bottom Line:
This well-hopped Kölsch delivers herbal bitterness after crisp straw-like pils malts establish their domain.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam covers the hazy pale blond.
-This is obviously very drinkable, and the herbal hops made it quite refreshing.
-The overall flavor profile is simple and straightforward, but the ingredients are well-chosen so it all works out in the end.
-For this brewpub’s light offering, this is pretty darn good.

On tap at the brewpub.

Well crafted beer. Didn’t find it particularly interesting, but a nice representative of the style and pleasant to drink. Clean, grainy aroma and flavor. Light on the hops, but that doesn’t hurt it at all.

sampled at the brewery. Lightly hazy golden in color. Aroma is lightly fruity, and floral hops. Taste is light fruits, apples with a lightly hoppy floral finish.