Kölsch

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• Brewing
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history

Kölsch is an appellation protected by the Kölsch Konvention, and is restricted to the 20 or so breweries in and around Cologne (Köln). The Konvention simply defines the beer as a "light, highly attenuated, hop-accentuated, clear top-fermenting Vollbier."

examples

Alaska Summer Ale
Capitol City Capitol Kölsch
Dom; import versions available in parts of North America: Reissdorf
Gaffel; Non-German versions: Eisenbahn Dourada
Goose Island Summertime
Harpoon Summer Beer
Hellers
Malzmühle
New Holland Lucid
Paeffgen
Peters
Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower
Shiner Kölsch
Sion
Available in Cologne only: PJ Früh

comments

Served in a tall, narrow 200ml glass called a "Stange." Each Köln brewery produces a beer of different character, and each interprets the Konvention slightly differently. Allow for a range of variation within the style when judging. Note that drier versions may seem hoppier or more bitter than the IBU specifications might suggest. Due to its delicate flavor profile, Kölsch tends to have a relatively short shelf-life; older examples can show some oxidation defects. Some Köln breweries (e.g., Dom, Hellers) are now producing young, unfiltered versions known as Wiess (which should not be entered in this category).