There's a particular kind of relief that comes with a favorite summer beer returning right on schedule, and Mast Landing Brewing Company is delivering exactly that with Slightly Raddled, a Grapefruit Kolsch built on the crisp, delicate foundation the style is known for.
Freshly squeezed grapefruit leads the aroma here, layered over the subtle notes of cracker and fresh bread that a proper Kolsch always brings to the table. On the palate, vibrant grapefruit zest and a touch of citrus bitterness get balanced out by a light malt sweetness, finishing clean, crisp, and dangerously easy to keep drinking. It's the sort of beer that disappears faster than you planned, which is either a compliment or a warning depending on how many you've had.
Westbrook, Maine's Mast Landing has built a loyal following for beers exactly like this, seasonal returns that don't mess with a winning formula, and Slightly Raddled clearly falls into the category of "why would we change it" rather than "let's reinvent it." Sometimes the correct move really is bringing back what already worked.
Available starting Friday at both Mast Landing taprooms, with wider distribution following the next week, so there's more than one way to track this one down before summer wraps up.
If your Kolsch has been feeling a little too polite lately, Slightly Raddled is here to rough it up, gently, with grapefruit.