Mother Earth Endless River Kolsch
On Monday, we got to know a little bit more about Josh Brewer, the Head Brewer at Mother Earth Brewing in Kinston, NC. Today, Josh will tell us a little bit more about his beers, and share a recipe featuring his Endless River Kolsch.
KYB: So, tell me about one of your beers. What is your favorite – the one that you are most proud of, or that you think stands out from the crowd?
Josh: I think it is the Endless River Kolsch. Light beers are not the easiest to make. It has a smooth, delicate taste to it, with just a hint of tart bitterness, and a semi dry finish. It’s the only beer I filter at Mother Earth.
I love IPAs, but seem to always go back to the Kolsch for a great-flavored light beer. Others brew this beer without using the true German Kolsch yeast, and its taste doesn’t come close.
I will put our Kolsch up to any beer brewed in Colgne.
KYB: What’s in it (without spilling any trade secrets)?
Josh: I use 100% German Pilsner malt, Saaz Hops and German Kolsch yeast.
KYB: What should a drinker expect when they buy it, or any Mother Earth beer in general?
A super quality beer with traditional ingredients for that style. I will always use the right ingredients for that style of beer, just like I use Kolsch yeast for Kolsch, or Belgian wit yeast for wit.
KYB: Are there any specific food pairings you suggest with the Kolsch?
Josh: There are some pairing suggestions on our website – grilled or steamed shrimp, fried soft shell crab, or peach cobbler for dessert.
I like to have it with fish or chicken, or a nice light salad with a fruit dressing. I’ve also incorporated it into a spicy ‘Endless River Gazpacho’:
Ingredients
| 2 cucumbers, diced 3 large tomatoes, diced 1 red pepper, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 1 red onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup red wine vinegar |
2 1/2 cups tomato juice 6 ounces of Endless River Kolsch Salt Pepper 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped Juice of 1 lime Cholula hot sauce, to taste |
Directions
In large glass bowl, combine the vegetables. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Add half of the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Combine the puree with the original mixture. Chill for 4 hours and serve.
KYB: Excellent. What’s in store for Mother Earth? Anything else you would want to share with people getting to know you, and your brewery, better?
Josh: Well, we are about to order 9 more tanks to max out our space, and four of those tanks will be 60bbl tanks, compared to the  other 40bbl tanks. This is just phase one of many phases for Mother Earth.
KYB: Josh, thanks so much for taking the time to sit down with us and letting us get to know you better.
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