Nothing tastes better than FREE beer but this was also a gift from a friend who highly recommended it. That made me nervously anticipate the overall experience because I would hate to report back to him that it was not to my taste. I know what you’re saying, “A real friend would say it was wonderful and thank him again for the lovely and thoughtful gift. I would counter that by saying friends don’t lie to people they love and respect. When it comes to tact I’m horribly deficient. But after the first sip of Lamplighter Brewing Company’s Kolsch-Style Speedwagon that whole inner discussion went out the window.
The pour itself is a rich, amber hue with a paper white head. The first whiff has notes of caramel, toffee, and a subtle hint of citrus. The initial taste is a harmonious blend of malty sweetness and a touch of hop bitterness, with a complexity of flavors revealing layers of caramel, roasted malt, and a gentle warmth that lingers just long enough to keep you going back for more.
What sets Speedwagon apart is its smoothness. The mouthfeel is velvety, with a medium body that strikes a perfect balance between substance and drinkability. The carbonation is just right, enhancing the overall experience without being overwhelming. This is a great brew to have if you’re sitting in front of a huge pile of spicy wings or a greasy beef brisket sandwich.
The Sonic Pairing: Even though the name of this ale is “Speedwagon” I would never do something as corny as pair it with an REO Speedwagon album…well, never say never. I mean, how could I not? The easy drinkability and bright flavors makes this a great one to crush while taking in a live music experience. With that we’ll go with REO Speedwagon’s 1977 live release, “You Get What You Play For”. This was before they cracked the power ballad hit making code with their multi-platinum top 40 release, High Infidelity”. This captures the band at their road dog best. When they had to take it to the people before MTV and use their tight bar band chops with ripping musicianship to leave a loud and lasting impression so they would come back for more the next time they hit town. Songs about hard living on the road with “Like You Do”, “Music Man” and the epic “Riding The Storm Out”. Early power ballad exploration like, “Being Kind(Can Hurt Someone)” and the country laced anthem “Son Of A Poor Man”. It’s good time Rock-n-Roll made to show folks a good time for their hard earned dollar. I’ll always drink to that.
