Everybody knows that ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, and lagers are with brewed bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures. But just like most other rules in life, there are exceptions to this one as well. Sometimes yeasts are capable of producing good beer even while working outside their standard formats. This results in beers which aren’t easily classifiable as ales or lagers, collectively known as hybrid beers. This includes such styles as steam beers, kölsches, altibers, and cream ales. So if you ever have trouble deciding what kind of beer you’re in the mood for, try a hybrid beer, since they can’t make up their minds either.

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KÖLSCH – REISSDORF – Kölsch – 4.80% ABV (Eye Choir’s Choice)



Appearance: Poured a very pale, light gold with a one-finger, off-white head. The body has an absolute crystal transparency, which clearly shows the moderate carbonation. 4/5

Smell: Has a very light aroma, though there is a definite presence of substantial fruit esters, especially apricot and pear, which combined with a faintly sulfury lager yeast have a sour impression. This is backed by some mild raw cereal grain-like malts as well as a touch of vaguely floral hops. Very light but certainly balanced and subtle. 4/5

Taste: A mild fresh acidity arises first, which grows a bit throughout the drink, slowly helping to evoke fruits such as apple as well as the vinous grape character typical of some German lagers. A mild sweetness comes into play as well, bringing out some pale breadiness from the malts and helping develop depth in the fruit profile. The finish has a distinctly hay or wood-like hop character which is both fresh and spicy. Surprisingly deep even though all the flavors are quite mild. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Very light body, with a smooth mouthfeel whose creamy character meshes very well with each splash of sweetness. The moderate carbonation helps offset the creaminess and also makes this beer refreshingly easy to drink despite a solid length finish. 4.5/5

Overall: A very unique light beer which succeeds at the difficult task of maintaining balance while also letting the yeast’s fruit character provide the dominant note. Not only subtle and balanced but also incredibly drinkable. 4.5/5

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STEAM BEER – ANCHOR – Steam Beer – 4.90% ABV

Appearance: Poured an amber color, light enough to be transparent, with a one inch, cream colored head. There is no sediment but some bubble streams are apparent. 3.5/5

Smell: Sweet, bready malts are the predominant aroma with touches of caramel. This is substantiated by some apple fruit esters as well as a hint of diacetyl. There is a background of woody and vaguely citric hops which is very accessible and distinctive. Fairly unique, being of course the veritable progenitor of the steam beer style. 4/5

Taste: Moderate sugary sweetness, which amplifies the earthy caramel and biscuits, though there is acidity to balance this. A mild to moderate tartness evokes some further apple and peach notes, and there is also a fresh leafiness from the mild to moderate bitterness on the finish. There is some nice depth to the flavors, but the malt character is perhaps a bit too strong at times. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, with a mild touch of carbonation to help push through the malt, though there is also a suggestion of alcoholic heat on the finish. Smooth if not a tad water, but somehow fairly sessionable as well. 3/5

Overall: A lot of components of this beer are quite interesting, with a unique construction that has clearly made an impression on the beer style as a whole. Still, could stand to be more balanced, though the drink still shows a fair amount as-is. 3.5/5

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‘SWEET ACTION’ – SIXPOINT – Cream Ale – 5.20% ABV

Appearance: Poured a surprisingly dark orange-brown with a two finger, light-beige head. There is a some haze which further decreases the beer’s clarity, though strong carbonation can still be easily seen. 3/5

Smell: Quite fruity, with peach or apricot and white grape aromas supported by notes of lemongrass and wildflowers from the hops. In addition to fruit esters, the yeast also provides slightly spicy earth notes. The supporting malt character is primarily freshly-baked bread, though there are mild notes of cornmeal as well. Fairly complex, though perhaps a bit too busy or challenging for a cream ale. 3/5

Taste: An initial mild to moderate sweetness kicks up the clean, almost cracker-like malt character, along with a mild to moderate bitterness which sustains the balancing floral notes along with some fresh leafy herbs. A mild tartness slowly creeps into the finish as the other flavors fade out, accentuating some stark, oily orange peel. Somewhat odd structure, but this lends a relatively easygoing drinkability. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, with a very creamy, smooth texture that manages to have a bit of biting carbonation without seeming sharp. A touch of alcoholic heat somehow seeps through, however. 3.5/5

Overall: Atypical for the style, with an assortment for surprisingly deep hop and even yeast flavors, and though they are a little convoluted at times, in the end they lead to a fairly laid-back and pleasing beer. 3.5/5

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‘2X STEAM’ – SOUTHERN TIER – Steam Beer – 8.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a bright copper orange with a one-finger light tan head. The beer is quite clear and there is a moderate amount of carbonation that is visible. 4/5

Smell: Malt is a dominant characteristic here, with strong, slightly toasted bread notes with some more muted hints of caramel. There is some lager-like fruitiness as well, reminiscent of apple cider and a trace of sulfur. These bright flavors are grounded with some hops which have a fresh earthy, almost woody character. Somewhat unique and surprisingly intricate. 4/5

Taste: A quick burst of moderate sweetness initiates this beer, highlighting a rich, bready malt which isn’t overpowered by the mild toffee notes. This is balanced by a clean, mild to moderate bitterness which has a stolid, crisp earthen character with traces of juniper. The fruit notes are very subdued, with a faint, mid-palate tartness that helps them add complexity without being a focal point. The finish retains a touch of sweet booziness. Interesting balance that is a nice play on the steam beer style as well as some real depth. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body, with a nice balance between smoothness and rich carbonation that occasionally helps accentuate the acidic minerality. A mild, sticky alcoholic heat gradually builds up, though this is still relatively unobtrusive despite the alcohol content of the beer. 3.5/5

Overall: Not the perfect example of a steam beer, but one that pushes the flavors to their limit and displays an delicate intricacy in the subdued fruit and caramel notes despite the strength of the primary flavors. 4/5