The name for the unique tall and skinny Kolsch glass is stange. Authentic Kölsch is Served in a Specific Glassware More original Kölsch beer is being exported in the recent past but finding it in the US is still not particularly easy.įortunately, there is a veritable proliferation of Kolsch style ales in the last few years here in the US. Such is the pride and so good the beer that the member brewers mostly work towards addressing local demand. Whereas there is a fair amount of leeway – the rules are clear, the rules are respected and the brewers are proud of the style’s heritage and quality. The members must adhere to certain ingredients and process guidelines in brewing the landmark style. The breweries comprising the Brewers association in Köln are signatories to the Kölsch Konvention which aims to protect the style and specifies what goes and what does not. The style is subject to relatively tight parameters in terms of how it should look, taste and how it is made. A beer appellation for a controlled origin of sorts, formally called a protected geographical indication in Europe. The name is under legal protection and can only be applied to the top-fermented beer brewed in the specified region. Only beer brewed in Köln (Cologne) and its immediate surroundings can be called Kölsch. Kölsch is not as bitter as a pilsner and not as malty as a helles. Yet whereas pilsner is a lager and Munich helles is a variation of that lager, Kölsch as we established, is an ale. Many knowledgeable German brewers will put it this way – the style falls between pilsner and helles. Mellow scents of honeysuckle, grass, earthy herbs, lemon zest make it extremely refreshing. The rounded flavor leads to a dry finish. The fruity-estery aroma is accompanied by a politely hoppy bite that counters a controlled malty sweetness. It has just enough fruitiness to engage, but is never overwhelming. It is one of the most elegantly aromatic, flavorful yet not taste bud arresting, refreshing, crisp, gorgeous beers you can ever taste. Hence it is frequently said that Kölsch is the only beer in the world that has it’s own language. It is also a dialect spoken in the region of the city. Just like Deutsch (German) means from Deutschland (Germany). Translated from German it means from Köln / with Köln origins. It is not simply a name for the style of beer. The name of the beer comes from the German city of Köln (Cologne). The umlaut symbol over the letter o in the name Kölsch signifies a sound that is between an o and an e. By lagers standards – the temperature is on the toasty side. But this temperature is still higher than what bottom fermenting lager yeasts prefer. Kölsch’s yeast likes colder temps than generally warm loving ale yeasts. Remember – the yeast is what drives the classification between ale or lager. This simply means that it is fermented by a top fermenting yeast (ale yeast) but at cooler temperatures and then stored at cool/cold temperatures like a lager (i.e. Sometimes the style is referred to as a hybrid ale, on account of the specific nature of the yeast used to brew it.īut Kölsch is not a hybrid. It is not a bit ale and a bit lager. Kölsch is a lagered ale. The Germans often say that Kölsch is a top-fermenting lager, because they use the word lagered to refer to a particular method of fermentation and storage in cold temperatures ( lagern). Its simultaneous softness and snap deliver a refreshing and utterly enjoyable drinking experience. It is gently bittered with Noble hops and overall well balanced. It forms a thick white foam and has a lighter body. Kölsch is a clear German ale with a light golden color and mildly fruity profile. The more you drink it, the more you’ll like it. Meet the style that easily converts those unfamiliar with it to raging fans.
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