BY MATT STEVENS for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 8/7/2026
This week, I got a bug in my bonnet to visit the Africa Room at the Parkway Tavern. I was all hopped out of IPAs, so I ordered a Future Primitive Kingdome Kölsch. Future Primitive is a White Center and West Seattle brewery that makes a variety of European-style beers and hoppy West Coast IPAs. Future Primitive was also the original name of the English rock band Bush.
A Kölsch is a malty, low-hopped, straw-colored beer that was originally made famous in Cologne, Germany, because of the city’s water, which made it a very crisp, clean, easy-drinking beer. The beer may have a subtle fruit aroma and very little hop aroma, if any.
Appearance-wise, this beer is spot-on. It is straw-colored yellow, with a bright white head, and mostly clear. The head does run away quickly, but that’s within style guidelines.
On the nose, there is no hop aroma, but a slight sweetness comes through. The slight hop aroma that does come through is somewhat spicy. I associate it with sage or other mild spices.
This beer really hits the flavor profile. It has that clean, crisp flavor with a slight but very tasty level of residual sweetness. The fruit character of the yeast is slightly enhanced, maybe a tiny bit of apple, but in a good way. There is also slightly more hop flavor, but again, it blends well with the malt and makes for a very enjoyable beer.
In terms of mouthfeel, this beer really nails the taste profile and cleanliness. As I’m drinking one sip, I want to have the next one. It’s so clean and refreshing. This is a great summer beer for sitting on the patio and watching the clouds.
Overall, this is a solid beer that hits the spot. I love the crispness and the lovely, slight corn flavor. It goes down so easily. It would pair well with something spicy or some Wiener schnitzel.
The Parkway Tavern is at 313 N. I St., Suite 1, in Tacoma. The Africa Room is behind the bar and is as cozy a place as you’ll find in Tacoma.
Future Primitive Brewing has two Seattle locations where you can get this beer: 9832 14th Ave. S.W. in White Center and 2536 Alki Ave. S.W. on Alki Beach.
