No love for Kolsch?

Mother Earth's Endless River is the best Kolsch I have had so far. Sierra's and Schafly's are also tasty on the American side. Reissdorf is the only German version I have had (and it was good), looking to try more.

 

I love it. Proved yourself too harsh a critic in just 1.5 hours.

 

I enjoy Reissdorf Kolsch.

 

In addition, in the US the Federal regulations have long required further specific labeling of beers using geographical-based beer style* names. (* As noted, the Feds use the term "type").

The lack of many popular styles in that list, such as "Kölsch" and "Belgian...", and the inclusion of many other less frequently brewed ones, shows that the regulations have not kept up with the modern US brewing scene.

The one notable exception is the legal use of "pilsen/pilsner/pilsener" which is allowed without qualification for US brewers, but not for imports other than those from Czech breweries.

Yet the term "Pils" has no such restrictions.

 

Not sure I understand this sentiment. They serve Kölsch year-round in Köln, why not elsewhere?

I do understand the tendency to switch from lighter bodied to heavier bodied beers in colder weather, but it's not a law or rule of physiology (as you subsequently discovered).

 

I'm happy to see Kolsch beer all year - unfortunately in the US its a summer seasonal for most but a few make them all year.

 

Not sure I understood it either so I ignored the sentiment completely.
We're Americans. Kcuf Köln and their habits.
On that tangent. Certainly, enjoyable and lived up to every promise of being a decent day drinker, but I'm still not convinced I'd want to drink the style a lot in the winter due to that light easy spring like kiss of warmth in the air approachability. I also irritated my partner with bringing a beer home that was an easy drinker over something a bit more capable of producing a little shine around the edges by two in.
Backstory: There was a wind chill advisory.
I guess this should've been part of my common knowledge too that easy approachable beer and frigid assed cold aren't entirely compatible.
In hindsight, I learned to listen better and I also greatly expanded my choices for the beer we do happen to share option.

 

A little harsh, no? After all, Köln makes their beer available to us... no matter the wind chill (inside or out).

 

I should've put a sarcasm alert in front of that.

 

Understood.

 

Funny story about no love for Kolsch. Dusseldorf and Cologne have had a rivalry for a few centuries. The Dusseldorfers like to sing a little ditty that goes something like: "Cologne, Cologne, die scheisse vom Dom" (... the shit from the dome). I even heard it sung spontaneously at a ice hockey game in Dusseldorf.

Anyway, I was in a pub in the Altstadt of Dusseldorf and sang the little tune (I was already happy in beer). The waiter perked up and brought us back each a 0.2L glass of Altbier. He toasted me and we drank the beers in two swigs. No charge.

 

How often do you visit Magnolia and do you go to the pub on Haight or the spot in the dogpatch?

 

I'm up in Santa Rosa so I'll only make it there a handful of times a year. I go to the original one on Haight. Always find parking by the park and Toronado is nearby.

 

I actually am not a fan of the style, but maybe I just haven't had a good one.

 

That might be my only time trying this style.

 

I was given a 12 pack variety pack from Goose Island by a family member. Was curious to see a Kolsch as a summer seasonal (brewed in January of course).
Could be the worst beer I've had in a long time (and I'm pretty easygoing with the big craft brewers) - the defining characteristic to me is wet cardboard. Truly awful attempt at a "kolsch". Don't know what to do with the other 2.

Today I had a Gaffel Kolsch .5L at lunch to cleanse my palette.

 

When the homebrewer in me hears "wet cardboard" I normally assume oxidation as the cause. You would not, however, think that to be the case from a big brewer with a modern bottling system or from a beer that is only 3 months old.

 

I've been wondering about that beer. Haven't tried it yet.

 

Was it this? Bought a 6-pack a few years ago (perhaps pre-ABI). Thought it was pretty good, without oxidation issues. Not as good as a Gaffel or Reissdorf of course but certainly drinkable.

 

That's the one. I hate when breweries f up a Kolsch whether by overhopping or just making a terrible beer like this. I'm sure it will give a really bad impression to first time Kolsch drinkers.