The Libations Librarian

Actually, Tributary Brewing Company actually celebrated their 4th anniversary on September 8.  Yup, my lateness is my greatness….oh, well!

The party was great!  The event planners had anticipated New England weather – the parking lot venue had tents set up to keep attendees dry and happy.  Ordinarily, the tasting room itself DOES allow dogs (except mine – he’s a total counter-surfer with an appetite for anything edible); however, party-goers pooches were limited to the tent area for the festivities.  Tributary is NOT a restaurant, so Embers Bakery and the Blue Mermaid provided food trucks.  I did not get any food, since my spouse & I got to the event at 4.  Sigh….

Tributary is known for creating several “cult” beers.  Beer enthusiasts will be lining up for hours on October 13th for the limited release of Mott the Lesser.  Mott the Lesser is a RIS (Russian Imperial Stout), which the Beer Advocate has given a rating of 4.42 out of 5 stars.  Tributary hosts a huge release event-beer connaisseurs will have the opportunity to try the stout (on-premises) and also take 2 bottles home.  That’s correct….2 bottles.  If you’re a RIS lover and want more, get a non-stout loving friend to attend with you to get more for your personal stash!

I’m not a stout lover.  Sorry to disappoint.  Today’s review focuses on Tributary’s Kolsch.  YUM!

I truly wish Tributary had not described their Kolsch’s tasty goodness this way, “This is the German expression of Lite Beer without dilution. Light, delicate, and crisp, the Strissel Spalt hops give it a noble hop aroma. 4.8% ABV”.  Lite Beer?! Egads, NO!  Talk about selling themselves short!

Kolsch’s are DIFFICULT to brew well.  German brewing crafted this style originally, yes.  However, because Kolsch uses both the ale-style of fermentation finish but is finished like a cold temperature lager, brewers have a LARGE margin for error.  LOTS of ways to wreak havoc with a lovely, for lack of a better expression, hybrid beer.  The hops do not jump out and abuse drinkers’ noses, like many of the local IPAs are wont to do.  Tributary crafted a beer which is easy to drink, but complex in flavor.  Comparing this Kolsch to a “Lite Beer” is a travesty and a sacrilege!

Travelers can find Tributary Brewing Company in Kittery, Maine.  Or, see the pic below for contact information…