Kölsch
“The delicate appellation pride of Cologne—hybrid-fermented with warm top ale yeast and extended cold lagering.”
Official BJCP Vital Statistics Range
Sensory Character & Tasting Notes
Origin, Heritage & Craft Tradition
Protected by the Kölsch Konvention of 1986, true Kölsch may only be brewed within 50 km of Cologne, Germany. Served traditionally in tall, cylindrical 200ml glasses called 'Stangen'. It is one of brewing's greatest hybrid styles: fermented with top-fermenting ale yeast at cellar temperatures (59-62°F), followed by 4 to 6 weeks of near-freezing cold conditioning.
Authentic Grain Bill & Mash Schedule
Recommended Yeast Strains
Water Profile & Salts
Very soft Cologne water profile. Keep calcium sulfate low, calcium chloride moderate (~60 ppm).
Commercial Reference Benchmarks
Benchmark your homebrew against these commercial archetypes:
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Brew Day Precision Calculators for Kölsch
All 8 Calculators→Dial in this recipe with authentic target gravities, bitterness, strike temperatures, and carbonation:
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