Judge’s Review: 84 Rating – Hallertau Blanc Kölsch by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

Kölsch | Limited Release | United States

By Dan Preston

Judges Rating: 84
Aroma: 18
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 33
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 17

Hallertau Blanc Kölsch by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. is a Kolsch that falls under BJCP 2021 category 5. Pale Bitter European Bear, B. Kolsch.
This beer pours a deep yellow into light golden color with brilliant clarity and a low-lasting white head. The aroma is a good balance of medium-low sweet grainy malt and a similar level of hops with notes of gooseberry, grapefruit and lemongrass. There is also mild pear-like yeast esters. Similar to the aroma, the flavor is also a mix of hops and malt, but it does lean a bit more towards the hops. The medium level of fruit hops – citrus, melon and tropical – gives way to sweet grainy malt with a bit of honey underneath. The fruity esters from the yeast have notes of pear and red apple on top of the medium-low bitterness, which leans into the semi-sweet finish. This was a really pleasant beer with nice complementary hops and malt balance. The fruitiness from the hops and yeast really paired well with the sweet grainy and honey notes from the malt.