No love for Kolsch?

Where is the "dislike" button?

 

Firstly, let me explicitly state that I am a HUGE fan of the Kolsch beer style and I agree with your sentiments here.

Whew, with that out of the way: the reality is that for the majority of BAs who are fans of BIG & BOLD beers a Kolsch beer (even the bestest Kolsch beer every brewed throughout beer history) will indeed be a boring beer. While I personally do not share this view I have the ability to recognize this issue. I wish I had the ability to change BA beer drinker’s minds in this regard but I fully recognize this is not an easy task.

I have read on more than one occasion folks opine that appreciating a beer like a Kolsch is a beer drinking maturation process. I will transparently state that this was not the case for me personally but I can see this being the case for others.

Maybe over time steve1990 will get to a point where a Kolsch is a beer he enjoys drinking? Only time will tell.

Cheers!

 

The personal contradiction in this statement to my findings astounds me. First, Summertime is far, far from Budweiser just by noting its hop character. Second, the Schlafly Kölsch I've tried has been thin and watery in any comparison to other Kölsch -- based on other Schlafly beers, I was highly disappointed.

The fact that we both see things 180° from each other is rather amazing. OTOH -- I'd sooner have Reißdorf than either.

 

I recently tried Captain's Kolsch from Captain Lawrence and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really good summertime beer. Very refreshing.

 

Well it's just my perception. My gf drinks Budweiser by the case, so i also drink it a lot. To me, after drinking 6 summertime, maybe thats the reasoning, it reminded me of Budweiser. Schlafly kolsch though, was more full than summertime and had more hop character. I suppose it just shows how people interpret things differently. Ive never had an imported kolsch just kolsch-style. Itd be nice to see how its done.

 

Actually drinking and enjoying Freigeist Ottekolong right now as I came across this thread. I'll echo earlier sentiment and say that it's neither my favorite nor the most interesting style. Also it was basically developed to push back against the creeping popularity of bottom-fermenting beer in Germany at the time, but I guess that's how a lot of styles come about.

I really respect how difficult a beer kölsch is to brew well, and it can be a nice crisp refreshing summer beer. But even though I lean towards more sessionable beers these days, I'm not sure I'll ever regard kölsch as a major staple...not when its flavor profile is so close to yet ultimately unable to compete with that of a good pilsner in my mind.

 

I thought Madtree Lift was out of this world.

 

Beer...it's not a competition.

 

It becomes a de facto competition when I'm at the beer store and trying to decide what to buy.

 

Kolsch is not a favorite, in fact I seldom think about it, but if the day comes I can't appreciate one I need to be checked out to see what's really ailing me.

 

Jack,

I understand the sentiment and my initial comment was probably less thoughtful than it should have been.

To me, the beer to food analogy is appropriate when discussing the perception that Kolsch is "boring". It's like saying that only spicy foods are not boring whereas a plain old dish, like roast, is boring. There is an inherent quality judgment going on in the statement that is either not necessarily true or at least unthoughtful. There is a time and place for both types of food, and beer, in our lives, and our level of enjoying food, or beer, would be greatly diminished by not recognizing a time and place for both.

Specifically, when it comes to beer, there is a time to sit and enjoy a limited serving of a highly flavorful beer. But there is also a time to drink numerous beers, over a period of time, that you appreciate as time goes on more and more. These beers summons you to drink more, whereas the the highly flavorful beer likely discourages you from continued consumption.

 

Perhaps, but when a new member makes that his second post ever, I'm not sure thoughtfulness is high on the agenda.

 

You won't get an argument from me.

Needless to say but the majority of BAs will never nominate me to be a spokesman for them.

Cheers!

 

I was at The Other Half in brooklyn and tried their Boogie Board Stuntz. It was pretty good.

 

Finback's Brand New Family.

 

I just took a peek at your website and I am floored. I have been *dreaming* of a brewery that serves traditional German beer styles at an authentic biergarten. Looks like you guys nailed it! I have found a good reason to travel down to SC this fall (as if I needed a reason).

 

Thanks man. If you do make it, first beers on me. Prost!

 

Is the term "Kölsch" protected in Germany or is it something they don't abuse out of courtesy?

 

Kolsch is a Protected geographical indication (PGI) within the EU.

Cheers!

 

Are you referring to the ASBURY down in the shore area or the ASBURY further north, in Warren County?
(I'm almost equidistant from both and would like to check out the Biergarten!)

Incidentally, back in the late '70s/early '80s I was frequently buying Kuppers Kolsch, which I really enjoyed...haven't seen it around in recent years. Anyone know if it's still being imported? (paging @Jess Kidden...)