No love for Kolsch?

Always like them but they're all about the same to me. Unless you really mess it up. They're all C-B range in my book, just something to drink on a hot summer day.

 

Can't really get this out of state without a growler trade, but, Herkules from Schilling in Littleton, NH is great. Brewery has only European styles, get them pretty much spot on.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/32906/114372/

Their current tap list: http://schillingbeer.com/current-beers/

Poppy's Moonship is out of this world. (no pun intended)

 

Never had a bottled Kölsch that spoke to me, whereas many on draught during my 2-3hour train layovers in Köln do - so much so I could easily have a Kränzchen on my own (if there wasn't the second half of a full luggage journey to complete), particularly Päffgen at Lommi's.

Apart from Braustelle's Helios Kölsch, I've found it very hard to find another unfiltered Kölsch aka Wiess.

As for US Kölsch and its many additive-spiked spinoffs: I wonder whether a trained palates in blind tastings would Be able to separate them from California Commons with the same exotic ingredients or deft US hop bills?

 

Sunner unfiltered Kolsch kegs are exported to the US. I have had this beer multiple times at local beer bars. I posted about this previously in this thread: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/no-love-for-kolsch.313171/page-3#post-3859640

Cheers!

 

Unfiltered ? One of the criteria of the Kölsch Convention is that the beer is filtered.


a beer may only be called Kölsch if it meets the following criteria:

• it is brewed in the Cologne metropolitan area
• pale in colour
• top-fermented
• hop-accented
• filtered
• 'vollbier' - 11 - 14% plato

 

Did you read the link in my post? This was all 'spelled out':

“Sünner Kellerbier

By the standards of the Kölsch Könvention, only filtered, bright beer can be called "Kölsch". However, when it's taken directly from the fermenter, unfiltered and with a soft, natural carbonation, it can be spectacular!

We offer the Sünner Kellerbier only occasionally, so jump at it when you see it. You'll find it slightly yeasty, more bitter and even drier than the everyday Kölsch.”

Sunner labels their unfiltered Kolsch beer using the term "Kellerbier" (in English). How they label their unfiltered Kolsch beer in Germany using the German language I don't know.

Cheers!

 

Jack, I have had that beer in Pennsylvania. Does PA have the market cornered on that nice beer? PA has enough good beer as it is.

Cheers.

 

Kolsch is not my favorite style but Sierra Nevada and Stoudt's make a good Kolsch.

 

Sunner in the bottle was quite refreshing, and there was a local Koelsch-style beer I had recently on draft that I enjoyed. Freigeist's is unfiltered, so not traditional, but it was tasty as well.

That being said, from my reading here on Beeradvocate and personal traveling, there's certain styles that every beer lover should simply go to the source to enjoy at least once. I still have some places to visit on this bucket list.

-Helles in Munich
-Rauchbier in Bamberg
-Koelsch in Cologne
-Altbier in Dusseldorf
-Pils in the Czech Republic (and many other styles that simply aren't listed here on Beeradvocate)
-Pils from various regions of Germany
-Cask ale in the UK
-American IPA in well, America

All apologies to Belgium, which is lovely to visit, but I feel many of those styles travel well/age well in the bottle. Cantillon is a very cool brewery to visit though, and could be added to this list in and of itself.

I definitely could be off with of some of these, or may be missing some, feel free to correct me though!

 

Got to disagree with this, there are several good beers we never see here.

(Our secret goal here is to fly under the radar here as a place to find good beer.)

 

I am brewing a Kolsch today. I rather enjoyed the style, but it isnt the most exciting style. Just because it isnt talked about much doesnt mean there is no love.

 

After having had year old lambic drawn from the cask directly into the pitcher used to pour my glass at the brewery, I think Cantillon and other lambic brewers could be added to the list. Orval might also qualify since it can be had fresh from the keg in Belgium and is not the same as what we see here in the US. Similarly, a case might be made for Duvel on tap as Duvel Single is pretty hard to find around the US.

 

Petite Orval is the one beer that I really wanted to try while I was in Belgium but was unable to. Same for Achel's lower ABV offerings.

 

Petit Orval was incredible!

 

During my two visits to Belgium there was just no way I was going to be able to get to the Cafe to sample that beer so it remains untasted for me as well.

 

Yup, Abbaye de Orval is way out there in the countryside. Quite a drive from just about anywhere. But what beautiful, majestic scenery it is. Definitely worth the trip to visit the abbey, the ruins, the cafe, and don't forget to get a block of the fromage a la biere (made with Orval obviously), probably some of the best cheese I've ever eaten. Had to smuggle a couple pounds home in the suitcase. Quadruple wrapped and my clothes were still funkdified as hell when we got home!

 

I love Kolsch

 

Other half boogie board stuntz- fantastic summer beer. It's definitely not easy to find a good one but you could always make your own! It's not a particularly difficult style

 

This was the other local "Kolsch" I mentioned. brewed with oats and dry hopped with Mosaic - it tastes nothing like a Kolsch and shouldn't be labelled a Kolsch. OH makes good IPAs but can't seem to make a proper subtle style.

 

Had a New Holland Full Circle today, it hit the spot after cutting the lawn