Kölsch
Chuckanut Brewery
- From:
- Chuckanut Brewery
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Kölsch
Ranked #19 - ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #14,663 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 10.25%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 45
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 30, 2026
- Added:
- Jul 29, 2009
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 4
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
OG: 11 Plato IBU’S: 20
Tasting Notes:
Gentle, complex undertones of malt, refreshing
Description:
Kölsch Style Ale is made exclusively in the city of Cologne, Germany. Kölsch is a blonde, top fermented ale brewed from pilsner malt. Bitterness is restrained, and the palate is light-bodied and dry with a soft malt flavor in the center giving way to a dry finish. Kölsch has won 3 Gold GABF awards and 2 World Beer Cup medals!
Medals:
Great American Beer Fest (GABF): Gold 2011, Silver 2012, Gold 2015, Gold 2017
World Beer Cup: Silver 2012, Gold 2018
North American Beer Awards (NABA): Gold 2011, Silver 2012, Gold 2014, Silver 2015
WA Beer Awards (WABA): Gold 2014, Gold 2015, Silver 2017, Gold 2019
Food Pairing:
Kölsch German Style Ale is terrific with salads, cheese (goat cheese pie), and delicate dishes. A great paring for shellfish or fish the light fruity flavors of the beer work well with citrus based preparations. Kölsch is a team player with sandwiches and wraps.
Tasting Notes:
Gentle, complex undertones of malt, refreshing
Description:
Kölsch Style Ale is made exclusively in the city of Cologne, Germany. Kölsch is a blonde, top fermented ale brewed from pilsner malt. Bitterness is restrained, and the palate is light-bodied and dry with a soft malt flavor in the center giving way to a dry finish. Kölsch has won 3 Gold GABF awards and 2 World Beer Cup medals!
Medals:
Great American Beer Fest (GABF): Gold 2011, Silver 2012, Gold 2015, Gold 2017
World Beer Cup: Silver 2012, Gold 2018
North American Beer Awards (NABA): Gold 2011, Silver 2012, Gold 2014, Silver 2015
WA Beer Awards (WABA): Gold 2014, Gold 2015, Silver 2017, Gold 2019
Food Pairing:
Kölsch German Style Ale is terrific with salads, cheese (goat cheese pie), and delicate dishes. A great paring for shellfish or fish the light fruity flavors of the beer work well with citrus based preparations. Kölsch is a team player with sandwiches and wraps.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by sulldaddy:
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut
4.16/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Sampling a cellar temp 12 oz can of this beer poured into my 0.3L stange. received in a trade recently.
the beer pours very light champagne like color and rests only slightly darker gold in my glass. A dense bleached white foam of several CM foams up and almost overtops the glass. Several active streams of carbonation rise to the surface and there is a sturdy edging throughout the sampling.
Aroma is fresh baked scone and biscuit with a bit of lemon. I really like the bakery vibe on this aroma!!
First sip reveals a light body with very fine, gentle carbonation. Texture is smooth and beer drinks very easy.
Flavor is light, but features a bit of lemon and some sweetish grainy note mixing with some biscuit. Biscuity note lingers after each swallow.
this is an enjoyable beer and is a decent example for the style, Id drink this again.
Jan 19, 2026the beer pours very light champagne like color and rests only slightly darker gold in my glass. A dense bleached white foam of several CM foams up and almost overtops the glass. Several active streams of carbonation rise to the surface and there is a sturdy edging throughout the sampling.
Aroma is fresh baked scone and biscuit with a bit of lemon. I really like the bakery vibe on this aroma!!
First sip reveals a light body with very fine, gentle carbonation. Texture is smooth and beer drinks very easy.
Flavor is light, but features a bit of lemon and some sweetish grainy note mixing with some biscuit. Biscuity note lingers after each swallow.
this is an enjoyable beer and is a decent example for the style, Id drink this again.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
3.97/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear golden pour topped with a big, bright white head. The aroma brings malt, light fruit notes, and a hint of cracker-like grain. The flavor is malt‑forward with a decent hoppy bitterness that keeps things lively. Crisp, refreshing, and easy to enjoy.
May 03, 2026
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York
4.03/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This one pours a fizzy golden yellow color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.
This smells biscuity and crackery, with a light lemony hop nose.
This is very light, very crisp, and very snappy, with a crisp lemony and floral hop bitterness. But it’s mostly very mildly sweet bready malt here. The balance of flavors keep this light, refreshing, and delicious.
This is very light bodied, crisp, clean, and really drinkable.
There’s not a lot to this, but what’s there is undeniably tasty.
Mar 27, 2026This smells biscuity and crackery, with a light lemony hop nose.
This is very light, very crisp, and very snappy, with a crisp lemony and floral hop bitterness. But it’s mostly very mildly sweet bready malt here. The balance of flavors keep this light, refreshing, and delicious.
This is very light bodied, crisp, clean, and really drinkable.
There’s not a lot to this, but what’s there is undeniably tasty.
Reviewed by CoasterRider from Washington
3.98/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a clear golden color with a small white head. Aroma is light malt & sweetness. Taste is light malt & sweet/bitter citrus hop balance. Really good easy drinking Kolsch.
Feb 18, 2026
Reviewed by RBorsato from Virginia
4.47/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Chill hazed golden straw. Nice biscuity malt, light fruitiness and light honey aroma and flavor. Nicely balanced; not really sweet at all. Light to medium bodied with a crisp dry finish.
Sep 11, 2025
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado
4.44/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Clear, golden pour and body; packed with small-bubble carbonation, lively; thick head, white and frothy with a bumpy, rolling top; long lasting. Fantastic aroma; delicate cracker background with a nice, low-key herbal hop note. Wonderfully rich and balanced taste; light cereal grain; subdued hop bitterness; a touch of lemon; faint herbal notes. Smooth mouthfeel; medium bodied; soft with a slight juiciness.
This is a wonderful little number. This rich and flavorful kölsch brings some incredible depth and complexity to the palate. Truly outstanding!
ABV: 4.5%; pouring temperature: 48.9 °F; canning info: Batch 527; Filled 4/16/25
Source: @snaoutheus
Jul 27, 2025This is a wonderful little number. This rich and flavorful kölsch brings some incredible depth and complexity to the palate. Truly outstanding!
ABV: 4.5%; pouring temperature: 48.9 °F; canning info: Batch 527; Filled 4/16/25
Source: @snaoutheus
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
4.24/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Murky golden body, full white head, thick white crowned lacing. Aromas of kolsch bready yeast, lemon, toasty grain, cracker, and earthy accents. Taste adds minor dough. Feel is medium-light bodied, has higher carbonation with grainy traditional yeast.
Jul 22, 2025
Rated by pathman from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
05/30/25 can @ home; shared w/Drew
May 31, 2025Reviewed by beercam from Colorado
4.93/5 rDev +23.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.93/5 rDev +23.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A standard-bearer for the style, provided by the longstanding and profoundly esteemed Bellingham front runner.
A touch more head was expected but not required. Aromas very classic but slightly muted.
The feel and flavor however are absolutely chart-toppers. Perfect balance of honey-baked cracker upfront, sourdough undertones, fresh dough, very restrained and careful herb, hop, spice, delicate lemon/strawberry, and an unrivaled dry, mineraly, crisp but very round and full finish and feel.
One of the finest German-inspired ales in the US. Does the PNW Kolsch take very proud. Respect and gratitude. Try some.
Apr 13, 2025A touch more head was expected but not required. Aromas very classic but slightly muted.
The feel and flavor however are absolutely chart-toppers. Perfect balance of honey-baked cracker upfront, sourdough undertones, fresh dough, very restrained and careful herb, hop, spice, delicate lemon/strawberry, and an unrivaled dry, mineraly, crisp but very round and full finish and feel.
One of the finest German-inspired ales in the US. Does the PNW Kolsch take very proud. Respect and gratitude. Try some.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.79/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.79/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This very accomplished lager-maker knows the secret to a good kolsch: lager long and let the fruitiness mellow.
Kolsch, however, Looks average; blonder than usual along with less foam. Smells balance the fruity malts and enough hops in the back of my nose. Tastes are very well-balanced: sweet attack but modest hops from mid-palate to finish, allowing the fruit to keep coming back and creating interest. Almost medium-mouthed.
My first from Chuckanut, I see they are a lager specialist and it shows in this Kolsch, probably one of their cash cows. More important, they are a lager specialist for four decades. So it was fun to see the two founders back then also be active in the brewery now... and notice how gracefully they have aged. Proof: brewing keeps you young.
Feb 11, 2025Kolsch, however, Looks average; blonder than usual along with less foam. Smells balance the fruity malts and enough hops in the back of my nose. Tastes are very well-balanced: sweet attack but modest hops from mid-palate to finish, allowing the fruit to keep coming back and creating interest. Almost medium-mouthed.
My first from Chuckanut, I see they are a lager specialist and it shows in this Kolsch, probably one of their cash cows. More important, they are a lager specialist for four decades. So it was fun to see the two founders back then also be active in the brewery now... and notice how gracefully they have aged. Proof: brewing keeps you young.
Reviewed by NickSMpls from Washington
3.92/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bought as a growler. Clean, clear light amber color. Light head. Light odor of biscuits and grassiness. Taste is very clean. Light, but definite hop right upfront with just the right background of malt. No off flavors, superclean finish. Carbonation is mild, maybe use a touch more.
Nov 26, 2022
Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington
3.84/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
draught
IBU: 20
Thin, white head. Quite a light gold appearance. Quite subtle, light toasted malt and a little floral hop aroma. Moderate and pleasant, light malt and floral hop flavor.
Oct 10, 2022IBU: 20
Thin, white head. Quite a light gold appearance. Quite subtle, light toasted malt and a little floral hop aroma. Moderate and pleasant, light malt and floral hop flavor.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.93/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Draft at Hill's. Pale golden, with small creamy head. Heady, grainy aroma. Taste is big and full, bready, crisp, nice bite at the finish. Smooth. Right on style and very well done.
Oct 08, 2022
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