Tell me something. Why do delicious, drinkable light bodied beers like Kolsch get such a bad rap these days? I’m sure I don’t know. What I do know is that lots of today’s beer geeks seem to eschew beers like Kolsch and pilsner in favor of sledgehammer beers, big beers with tons of hops over 10% ABV and aged in bourbon barrels too, if you please. They miss much, because a soft delicious Kolsch can be just as wonderful in its own way.

I was reminded of this while sipping on a glass of cool delicious Coastal Empire Tybee Island Blonde, a Kolsch-style ale, just the other day. This is the second beer that I’ve enjoyed from this Savannah, Georgia brewer, and the second beer from them that has impressed me. The occasion was a very warm day in late March, the location my patio, and the beer was wonderful and refreshing indeed.

Coastal Empire says the following about Tybee Island Blonde:

Tybee Island Blonde is a Kölsch style ale.  It is a clean, crisp, session beer brewed with noble hops.  The Blonde has a light floral aroma and a mild hop bitterness.

The agreeable nature of this German style ale means that it will get along well with many foods, but you have to pick a dish that won’t overwhelm it. Being that we are on the coast, we suggest you start by pairing it with some seafood!

Coastal Empire Tybee Island Blonde has an alcohol content of 4.7% by volume with 17 IBUs. It runs about $9.99 for a six-pack of cans, a bit higher than average, but I enjoyed a wonderful 32-ounce draft growler from Stout’s growlers for just $6.50.

Coastal Empire Tybee Island Blonde pours to a pale golden color with a thick foamy head of spritzy bubbles and a lively, effervescent carbonation. A sniff reveals a zesty lemon citrusy nose, a sip smooth, crisp fresh biscuity malt flavor. That's followed by more of the citric lemon the nose promised and a very herbal, very grassy hop aroma. A lingering bitterness rounds the whole affair out nicely.

The citrusy hops are a bit out of character for a Kolsch, but the delicious crisp biscuity malt is spot on, and this is an extremely refreshing, highly drinkable beer. I very much enjoyed my growler out on the patio, and can imagine it pairing nicely with seafood as the brewery suggests. Give Tybee Island Blonde a try, and I’m sure that you will enjoy it too.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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