Beer Review – Goose Island Summertime Kolsch

• Name: Summertime Kolsch
• Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.
• Style: Kolsch
• Origin: Illinois
• ABV: 5.1%

Goose Island’s Summertime Kolsch is another one of the beers I picked up for inclusion in the Battle of the Beers – Summer Brews article. I picked it up as a single bottle from Trader Joe’s (BTW, they will let you pick any bottle from any six pack, unlike many other stores). Having seen a lot of Goose Island’s products, but having never tried one, I figured now was as good a time as any.

Goose Island Summertime Kolsh has a transparent, straw appearance. It has low carbonation and built a medium head when poured into a glass. Aroma wise, it’s fairly typical of a summer-style beer. It has a light, feint smell, punctuated with biscuity notes.

Related: Deschutes Hop Slice Summer Ale Review

It has a light, “fluffy” mouthfeel that delivers a crips and refreshing experience. Again, as expected, the mouthfeel and flavors are both nonthreatening. It’s bready flavor profile – while expected – provides a little more bitterness that I would have expected. Its aftertaste is fleeting. Initially, a slight bitterness is present but it quickly dissipates, leaving an empty palette prior to each mouthful.

Goose Island has made a reasonable beer, but it certainly was not the best summer brew I’ve tried. It is well built in that it has a very thin, light and refreshing body that will serve you well on a sweltering summers’ day. It’s flavors are again, fairly good, but do not really stand out in what is a fairly saturated market of summer offerings. While this beer is definitely worth trying, I don’t think it will stick with too many people. I would drink this again, but wouldn’t go out of my way looking for it.

Related: Sierra Nevada Summerfest Review

TL;DR

This beer is fairly good. What it sets out to do, it executes well. With a light and refreshing body and pleasant flavors, it’s definitely going to be a decent experience. With that said, I wish Goose Island had brought more to the table. This beer is yet another replication of the tried-and-true summer beer. Nothing wrong with it, but it will easily get lost in the crowd of summer brews. Yes, you should try it, but I don’t think it will be all that memorable.

Rating: 7/10

Question of the Day

What is your favorite Goose Island brew? Let me know!

Connect with Sargent Suds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Learn more about Summertime Kolsch on Goose Island’s website, Untappd and Beer Advocate.

SUBSCRIBE TO SARGENT SUDS TODAY!