Kölsch Kühler Beer Recipe | All Grain Kölsch | Brewer's Friend
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Kölsch Kühler

165 calories 16.7 g 12 oz
Beer Stats
Method: All Grain
Style: Kölsch
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 16 gallons (fermentor volume)
Pre Boil Size: 19.76 gallons
Post Boil Size: 18 gallons
Pre Boil Gravity: 1.046 (recipe based estimate)
Post Boil Gravity: 1.050 (recipe based estimate)
Efficiency: 75% (brew house)
Source: Daniel Dorst
Hop Utilization: 97%
Calories: 165 calories (Per 12oz)
Carbs: 16.7 g (Per 12oz)
Created: Sunday September 28th 2025
1.050
1.012
5.0%
25.9
3.8
5.4
65.11
 
Fermentables
Amount Fermentable Cost PPG °L Bill %
20 lb Weyermann - Pilsner20 lb Pilsner 1.32 / lb
26.40
36 1.5 67.8%
8 lb Weyermann - Vienna Malt8 lb Vienna Malt 3.25 / lb
26.00
37 3.5 27.1%
1.50 lb Weyermann - Carafoam1.5 lb Carafoam 4.69 / lb
7.04
34.5 2.2 5.1%
29.50 lbs / 59.44
 
Hops
Amount Variety Cost Type AA Use Time IBU Bill %
5 oz Yakima Valley Hops - Hallertau (Mittelfruh)5 oz Hallertau (Mittelfruh) Hops 0.81 / oz
4.05
Pellet 3.6 Boil 60 min 21.58 71.4%
2 oz Yakima Valley Hops - Hallertau (Mittelfruh)2 oz Hallertau (Mittelfruh) Hops 0.81 / oz
1.62
Pellet 3.6 Boil 15 min 4.28 28.6%
7 oz / 5.67
 
Mash Guidelines
Amount Description Type Start Temp Target Temp Time
11 gal Mash Strike 164 °F 152 °F 60 min
12.5 gal Sparge Sparge 168 °F 168 °F 15 min
Starting Mash Thickness: 1.5 qt/lb
Starting Grain Temp: 65 °F
 
Other Ingredients
Amount Name Cost Type Use Time
27 g Chalk Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
6 g Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
10 g Epsom Salt Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
4 g Gypsum Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
8 g Baking Soda Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
32.26 ml Lactic acid Water Agt Mash 1 hr.
1.72 g Lactic acid Water Agt Sparge 1 hr.
 
Yeast
Imperial Yeast - G03 Dieter
Amount:
3 Each
Cost:
Attenuation (avg):
75%
Flocculation:
Medium
Optimum Temp:
60 - 69 °F
Starter:
Yes
Fermentation Temp:
65 °F
Pitch Rate:
1.5 (M cells / ml / ° P) 1125 B cells required
0.00 Yeast Pitch Rate and Starter Calculator
Priming
CO2 Level: 2.47 Volumes
 
Target Water Profile
Cologne Water Profile Kölsch
Ca+2 Mg+2 Na+ Cl- SO4-2 HCO3-
75 12 30 50 75 180
The cologne water profile for brewing Kölsch beer is relatively mineralized, with key characteristics including moderate levels of calcium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate, and high bicarbonate content. This profile, which includes specific levels like 35-110 mg/L Calcium, 10-15 mg/L Magnesium, 25-35 mg/L Sodium, 70-80 mg/L Sulfate, 35-65 mg/L Chloride, and 80-280 mg/L Bicarbonate, contributes to Kölsch's characteristic dry finish and subdued maltiness by enhancing sweetness with sodium and chloride and promoting dryness with sulfate.

Key Water Profile Components
Calcium (35-110 ppm): A foundational mineral for brewing, supporting various enzymatic processes and contributing to overall flavor and mouthfeel.

Magnesium (10-15 ppm): Adds a subtle sweetness to the beer.
Sodium (25-35 ppm): Enhances the sweetness and roundness of the malt flavors.
Sulfate (70-80 ppm): Contributes to a crisp, dry finish by emphasizing hop bitterness.
Chloride (35-65 ppm): Boosts the perception of sweetness and body.
Bicarbonate (80-280 ppm): Indicates a higher alkalinity and temporary hardness in the water.


Sulfate (SO₄²⁻)
The moderate sulfate levels (70–80 mg/L) in Cologne water contribute to the perception of dryness and enhance the hop character without producing harsh bitterness.

Flavor impact: Sulfate accentuates the bitterness from hops and imparts a dry, crisp finish, which is a key characteristic of Kölsch.

Balance: Compared to the high-sulfate water of Burton-on-Trent, which produces very bitter IPAs, Cologne's moderate sulfate level provides a pleasant, clean hop expression.

Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)
Cologne water is known for its high "temporary hardness," resulting from a high concentration of bicarbonate. This would normally raise the mash pH, but traditional German brewing methods account for this.

Mash pH: Bicarbonates are alkaline and tend to raise the pH of the mash. To counter this effect and achieve the optimal mash pH of 5.2–5.4 for a light-colored beer, Cologne brewers traditionally add acidulated malt (sauer malt) or lactic acid.

Flavor impact: A high mash pH can result in a darker color, an astringent flavor, and an unpleasantly high bitterness. Controlling the bicarbonate's influence is crucial for the clean, light character of a Kölsch.

Mineral-alkalinity balance: In Cologne, the significant bicarbonate level is balanced with calcium from the water hardness. When these ions are heated, they precipitate as chalk, but the brewers still use acidic additions to fine-tune the mash pH.

How to Achieve This Profile
Start with Base Water: Use filtered municipal tap water or reverse osmosis (RO) water as a base.
Adjust with Brewing Salts: To match the Cologne profile, you will typically need to add brewing salts.

Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) is used to increase calcium and sulfate levels.

Baking Soda can be added to boost bicarbonate levels, which are high in Cologne's water.
Mash Chemistry and Brewing Water Calculator
"Kölsch Kühler" Kölsch beer recipe by Daniel Dorst. All Grain, ABV 5.01%, IBU 25.86, SRM 3.75, Fermentables: ( Pilsner, Vienna Malt, Carafoam) Hops: (Hallertau (Mittelfruh)) Other: (Chalk, Calcium Chloride (anhydrous), Epsom Salt, Gypsum, Baking Soda, Lactic acid)
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  • Last Updated: 2025-09-28 13:43 UTC
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