Eisenbahn Kölsch Review

"Easily Rolling Down My Throat”

Country: Brazil 

Brand: Eisenbahn Kölsch

Brewer: Cervejaria Südbrack, Blumenau (SC)

Package: Bottle (355 ml) 
Type: Ale (Kölsch) 

Age: NAS

ABV: 4.8 %

Antioxidant: None
Stabiliser: None

Colour: Golden 

Foam: Thin White Foam that quickly dissipates. Only few laces remain once you have emptied the Glass.

Nose: Light, Mildly Sweet, Simple and Fresh with a little Fruit (Green Apples), Pizza Dough, Grain Biscuits, Fresh Herbs, Caramel and a little Lemon. No Off-Notes. 

Palate: Mildly Sweet with a Very Light Body. Too Light actually and a bit Watery as well. I find Wheat Biscuits, Malt, a tiny bit of Hops, Green Apples and a little Lemon. Low Carbonation. This is nothing special but highly drinkable!  

Finish: Very Light and Mildly Sweet. I find a little bit of Malt and Hops and some Floral tones.

Rating: ******1/2  (Six and a Half out of Ten)

General Remarks: The Südbrack Brewery and its Brand Eisenbahn were founded in 2002 by the Mendes family in the South of Brazil. They loved Special Beers and found there were very few of them around. A Master Brewer from Germany was hired and production started. Over the years, the company expanded its product range and built a reputation, both in Brazil and around the world. It has won many prices with its special Beers. In 2008, Eisenbahn was bought by the Brazilian Schincariol Group. The Brand name Eisenbahn was chosen as the factory in Blumenau lies next to an old railway. Today, Eisenbahn's core range includes Dunkel, Kölsch, Pale Ale, Pilsen, Weizenbier, Weizenbock, Rauchbier, Lust and Strong Golden Ale. Eisenbah Kölsch was launched in 2005 and is an Ale type of Beer that originally hales from the city of Cologne in German. Its Production rigorously follows the German legislation for beer (Reinheitsgebot) and is made only of Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat and Hops.

Drinking Experience: Light but highly Drinkable.

Conclusion: When I lived in Europe before moving to Brazil I tasted various beers of the Kölsch type in Germany. Without exception they had more Body and tasted less Watery than this Eisenbahn. In fact the Eisenbahn Kölsch is a simple beer without significant Aromas and Flavours. Schincariol and Eisenbahn could do better in my opinion. So while I admit that it's highly drinkable and refreshing, I will look for other options before revisiting this Ale. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                     May 2, 2015