MN brewed Kölsch-style

Dammit it. I didn't realize Summit dropped Summit Summer from the calendar. Love me some Keller Pils during the warmer months, but am definitely going to miss the Klosch.

 

I don't believe Waldmann has done a kolsch yet, but I imagine they'd be inclined to make one during spring and summer.

 

Waconia makes a really solid Kolsch style

 

I've wondered about this too, especially with the popularity of Pilsners on the rise. A Kolsch is a great gateway beer for people who aren't into craft beer.

Badger Hill has a pretty solid Kolsch too, FWIW.

 

Country Mile from Take 16 is a decent one.
Crooked Rafter from Spilled Grain was pretty good too, but it's been awhile.

I've asked people from Mankato about the "Original" a few times. Seems like they were completely avoiding giving me an actual answer. Kind of odd.....

I don't quite understand why Schell's doesn't have one in their regular rotation.

I love a good Kolsch. Underappreciated style IMO.

@Chaz will be here shortly....

 

"If it sold better*, more domestic brewers would brew more of it and you'd see more commercial examples in the marketplace."

Seriously though, with the current (and future?) trend toward hazy beers, Kölsch is a style which is seeing something of a low market availability right now -- at least among Minnesota brewers.

On the other hand, the selection of Imports has never been better (insert link to Total Mayhem). Sünner Kölsch, Früh Kölsch, and Reissdorf Kölsch were at one point not too long ago all available in the Minnesota market at the same time!

Of course, as with all imports, check the dates. Some old bottles might still be kicking around between Waconia and just east of Eau Claire (the Greater Twin Cities Metro, in other words.)

*

As I recall, Zommerfest was the August Schell seasonal which sold the least amount of case depletions at the time that it was discontinued.

 

I usually shy away from Kolsches brewed by U.S. breweries assuming they're just using their house yeast instead of an authentic Kolsch yeast, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

Why Kolsch isn't more popular: It tends to be one of the blandest styles outside of American adjunct lagers, so beer geeks inevitably aren't going to flock to it (I disagree with your characterization of Kolsch as "flavorful"). It also doesn't achieve the desired "crisp" palate effects or "clean" flavor profiles of bottom-fermented beers, so the lagerheads don't much clamor for it. Because a Kolsch should be lagered, the production cycle is longer and thus inventory costs are higher and monetization is delayed compared to true ales; the shorter production cycle is the single biggest reason that most craft breweries specialize in ales and not lagers. Thus Kolsch has a lot of the downsides of lagers without some of lagers' most appealing qualities.

Non-craft beer fans seem to have gotten more used to flavor in beer as craft beer has proliferated. Anecdotally, I've noticed fewer requests for "the lightest beer you have" at brewpubs and taprooms. Hence styles like Kolsch and Blonde Ale no longer are essential to craft breweries' portfolios. I know this position is controversial, but I do think NEIPAs and fruited kettle sours are taking the place of these classic transition beers in their inoffensive appeal to inexperienced imbibers.

Anyway, below is the other site's list of the top Kolsches in the state:
www.ratebeer.com/top/kolsch/us/minnesota

 

**Clutches pearls**

 

For those interested in such things we tend to keep Suner Kolsch on tap at Tilia. Occasionally we swap the Suner Kellerbier for the Kolsch but we've had a dedicated Suner line since we've been open 8 years ago.

 

You certainly nailed my preferences. Like it or not, blandness was a driving factor in Kolsch's popularity when craft beer was less ubiquitous. It retains a small but loyal constituency but otherwise has largely lost its place in the craft beer world (hence the style's sales decline and discontinuation by many breweries), for better or for worse. I enjoy most German styles, but, for me, Kolsch has always seemed like a lifeless nod toward ale fans and less substantial than most true lagers, not that there isn't a rare tasty one. That said, I get the impression that the style still has an outsized presence in the Upper Midwest relative to the rest of the country. Also, the unique properties of Kolsch yeast offer some experimentation potential to creative, style-busting brewers.

 

You know less than you think.

 

Fulton and Excelsior Brewing would greatly disagree with this statement. If I recall correctly, their Blonde Ales are about 50% and 65% of their overall sales, respectively.

 

Actually, I agree with a lot of you said @islay. Just was thinking about how with hybrid yeast strains (and even some lager strains) a brewery can produce a quality Kolsch in similar time to an ale. It's been done successfully at the commercial level. So, something else is limiting their production. Probably desire to limit # of yeast strains in the brewhouse and the fact that some will see a blonde as an easy way to fill a similar niche.

 

Broken Clock has a kolsch in distribution.

 

You are a hero!

 

Beaver Island has one as well.... think it good for the style but generally not my kind of beer anyways

 

Rumor has it Surly will be releasing a Kolsch in their Summer variety 12 cans.