“While the beer itself is relatively simple and the flavors are delicate, these beers are far from bland when drunk fresh, and there is surprising variance in character…” - Ryan Pachmayer Where Kölsch Night Is Every Night | Craft Beer & Brewing (beerandbrewing.com) --- Kölsch Night – Kölsch Abroad - Kölsch Konvention -
I'm lucky enough to have a few local breweries who appreciate a good Kölsch -- including Roaring Table.
Me too. Good Word Brewing here in GA had a Kölsch service on Father's Day. Took my 82 y.o. dad. He had never had Kölsch before. He loved it and we had a nice father/son time together. GWB did a masterful job with theirs.
I discussed Kölsch in the recent Summer beer thread: "Another great beer style for summertime drinking is Kolsch. I have one can left from a recent six-pack purchase of Von Trapp Kolsch. I will have to buy another six-pack of this beer soon." Von Trapp Kolsch is a 'traditional' Kölsch beer. There was no mention of unfiltered Kölsch in the above linked article. These beers are referred to as "white" beers and for some reason the folks of Cologne reverse the "e" and "i" from the 'standard' spelling for white in German (which is Weiß). I discussed the unfiltered (or "white") beers in the Summer beer thread: "I am a fan of Sünner Kölsch when I can find it fresh or on tap. I am especially fond of the unfiltered Sünner Kölsch which they market as “Kellerbier”: “Some breweries in Cologne also brew an unfiltered version of a Kölsch (which can’t be labeled as a Kölsch due to the rules) and those beers are referred to as a Weiß (or Weisse) in Cologne. I once had the pleasure of drinking a Sünner unfiltered Kölsch on draft at a local craft beer bar and I thought that beer was excellent (despite not officially being a Kolsch) US importer Artisanal Imports describes the Sünner unfiltered Kölsch (labeled as Kellerbier) as follows: “This is the unfiltered, fresh-from-the-aging-tank version of Sünner Kölsch. It has a hazy appearance and a more intense flavor than kölsch. The aroma is yeasty, slightly hoppy and bready. On the palate, Sünner Kellerbier is fuller in body than normal kölsch and has a more complex, very dry, character with notes of hay, bread, honey and a nice, clean bitterness. It’s a wonderful complement to Sünner Kölsch and a delightful beer in its own right!” https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Brewing_Kolsch I have yet to find a packaged Sünner Kellerbier (i.e., I have only had it on draft)." Prost!
I just came across a bottle of Sünner for the first time this week while on vacation. I plan to drink this weekend when I’m back home, or shortly after. For those who always ask I didn’t check or even try to decipher a “code”. Just gonna give it a whirl, and experience it the only way I can since I would have otherwise never tried
Sadly my area doesn't have many local options and those options usually come in the 4 x 16oz can format priced at $16 and above. Is this an inherently expensive style to brew?
No, it's ingredients aren't unusual for most traditional styles and as far as i can tell they aren't used in any unusual quantities. There is one local spot that doesn't package anything that has a decent one on tap regularly and another local has been packaging a beer they can a "light ale" that is an enjoyable beer which is certainly kolsch adjacent. But in general it is a difficult style to find for sure
I literally just had some Handline Kolsch by Devil's Purse in Boston yesterday and was pretty impressed. I'd definitely make it a regular purchase at home.
In spite of what Jack wrote in his post (quoting an article he wrote), an unfiltered Koelsch is called wiess. That 'other' site even lists wiess as one of their beer styles. https://www.beeradvocate.com/ratebeer/?path=/tag/wiess/ Given that this site is about knowledge, I thought it would be appropriate to clarify. I know that @herrburgess has even brewed one before. https://untappd.com/b/bierkeller-columbia-wiess-unfiltered-kolumbianer-kolsch/3292079
In post #4 above I discussed this aspect: "for some reason the folks of Cologne reverse the "e" and "i" from the 'standard' spelling for white in German (which is Weiß)." Do you have a reading comprehension problem?
Do you have any other recommendations? Miss my favorite previously available nearby (NG Kid Kolsch). My last Dovetail batch was just so so, their cans are hit or miss for me. Would say RT Sunwork is the best I can think of still canned/distributed around here. I enjoy draft Reissdorf in Vegas at the Silver Stamp regularly. I'm really picky about this style because I love it. I don't like Kolsch, oh no, I love it, dreadlock holiday.
There is more to what makes a Kölsch than ingredients and process. In 1986, more than two dozen Kölsch breweries signed on to the Kölsch Konvention, a document that states the beer must be “pale, well attenuated, HOPPY, clear top-fermented beer” brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot. Can’t imagine this was verbatim
Reissdorf Kölsch, 4.8% - an exceptional Kölsch, crystal clear, head that lasts forever, indescribable aroma and taste that reminds you of springtime, lying on a grassy hill next to a mineral spring, sipping Riesling with your lover. You remember that fondly - so do I. Snap out of it! Prost! Fresh and bright, grassy, mineral springs, dry white wine - delicious!
Although I haven't tried it in a while, Metro's Krankshaft made a great impression on me from its inception. Oh, no!
Had a very nice one yesterday from GearHouse in Chambersburg pa. Clean, crisp, $11.00 for a 4pack of 16oz cans. The also do a "Noir" Kolsch, something I've never heard of.
I love Kolsch ever since my Christmas trip to Cologne. Light and smooth, so easy to drink, but with nuance. My favorite is not super high rated, but F the ratings. Gulden is my Kolsch King. Guess extra great with a crisp pork knuckle. Interesting enough, I just recently had the best Kolsch I've had since then, Whetstone Beer, Jamaica State Park Kolsch.
