Port Orleans Brewing Company - Kennerbräu Kolsch

Brewed with top-fermenting ale yeast before being cold-conditioned like a lager, kölsch is among our favorite warm-weather beers, and Port Orleans’ interpretation is certainly among our recent favorites. Presenting a bright, rich golden hue with a fluffy head of nearly white foam, this brew looks darn good as it rests in our stange – the traditional small cylindrical kölsch glass. On the nose, look for noble hops to lead the way with an herbal-spicy note backed by some floral and grassy character and a light edge of lemon zest. On the palate, this brew comes through soft and smooth as the malt center expresses a clean profile with a touch of tangy wheat and very light toastiness. The Tettnanger hops are the stars of the show for us, delivering a very European flavor profile that’s quite spicy and floral with moderate perceived bitterness. Flashes of mild fruity esters add characteristic subtle complexity to this ale-lager hybrid. Each sip finishes quite dry and with the crispness we expect from lagering, and we can’t help but reach for the glass again to repeat the process. For pairing options, we’re looking at grilled chicken sandwiches, brats, burgers, pizza, and schnitzel. Prost!

Port Orleans was founded in 2017, in a somewhat unlikely partnership of investors headlined by retired Saints offensive lineman Zach Strief. He had long felt that New Orleans needed more great beer bars, and when he was approached by his father-in-law Tommy Discon and his friend Ricky Thomas, owner of Blue Runner Foods, with the idea to open a brewery, Strief jumped right in, opening a new chapter in his life as his NFL career was coming to a close. In his words, “Ultimately I wanted something that was in New Orleans, that I could be hands-on, that I could go to and see people and thank people for coming. And now I'm very into it.”

The venture really took off fast, and within four months their 30-barrel system was in full swing supporting well over 100 taps across multiple local bars and restaurants, and their canning line was producing beer for retail sale. Additionally, their attached tasting room – which was designed to reflect the ambiance of old-world New Orleans hangouts, drawing inspiration from the city's port heritage – was bringing in the locals.

The brewery has also been involved in philanthropic endeavors, including the creation of Gleason IPA to raise money for retired Saints safety Steve Gleason’s work to support those with ALS, and the launching of POB United during the pandemic to cook meals for those unable to buy their own – leading to over 100,000 meals given away in six months. The brewery currently cans four year-round beers and several seasonals in addition to a wide array of smaller-batch draft and taproom offerings. For more info on their beers and tasting room, check them out at portorleansbrewingco.com.