Pale Bitter European Beer - Kölsch

A clean, crisp, delicately-balanced beer usually with a very subtle fruit and hop character. Subdued maltiness throughout leads into a pleasantly well-attenuated and refreshing finish. Freshness makes a huge difference with this beer, as the delicate char

Flavor Profile: Soft, rounded palate comprised of a delicate flavor balance between soft yet attenuated malt, an almost imperceptible fruity sweetness from fermentation, and a medium-low to medium bitterness with a delicate dryness and slight crispness in the finish (but

Ingredients: Traditional German hops (Hallertau, Tettnang, Spalt or Hersbrucker). German Pils or pale malt. Attenuative, clean ale yeast. Up to 20% wheat malt may be used, but this is quite rare in authentic versions. Current commercial practice is to ferment warm, co

BJCP Style Guide

Top 10 Kölsch Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
JZ FRUH - Kolsch	5.25 gal	4.92%	21.98	1.048	1.011		All Grain	7227
Kolsch, All Grain	11 gal	4.93%	20.15	1.048	1.011		All Grain	7145
Kolonel Kölsch	5.25 gal	5.18%	25.87	1.048	1.009		All Grain	4545
Kolsch - Brulosophy	5.5 gal	4.95%	27.11	1.047	1.009		All Grain	4480
Kottbusser	11 gal	5.04%	28.01	1.052	1.014		All Grain	4277
Honey Kolsch	5.5 gal	5%	25.18	1.045	1.007		All Grain	4045
KOLSH	500 L	5.4%	21.98	1.050	1.009		All Grain	3965
Alfie - Kolsch	21 L	4.78%	25.81	1.049	1.013		All Grain	3917
SUCK A BAG OF DICKS	10 gal	5.51%	31.26	1.053	1.011		All Grain	3655
Ruby Red Kolsch	5.5 gal	4.83%	25.06	1.048	1.011		All Grain	3369

Newest Kölsch Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Kolsch	5.5 gal	5.18%	25.88	1.051	1.013		All Grain	28
TN Kolsch - Riverglass Kolsch	6 gal	5.01%	29.06	1.049	1.011		All Grain	15
CraftBeerMe - Kolsch-style (All-Grain)	5 gal	4.73%	22.26	1.047	1.011		All Grain	34
kolsch	20 L	4.81%	22.27	1.046	1.009		All Grain	35
Awesome Recipe	5.5 gal	4.96%	21.41	1.050	1.013		All Grain	30
Cowboy Kolsch 7/16/25 Batch #26	45 gal	4.91%	45.81	1.050	1.012		All Grain	107
Wedding Kölsch 1	4.8 gal	5.04%	36.07	1.051	1.013		All Grain	49
Classic Kolsch	3 gal	4.38%	23.48	1.045	1.011		BIAB	42
Tynerbrau Kolsch	5 gal	4.63%	12.69	1.046	1.010		All Grain	59
Kolschish RAGBRAI 2025	5.3 gal	4.97%	18.93	1.045	1.008		All Grain	79

Fermentables Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
German - Pilsner	557	German	Grain	base malt	1.6°L	38	83%	8% - 100%
German - Vienna	319	German	Grain	base malt	4°L	37	11%	2% - 100%
American - Pilsner	237	American	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	80%	3% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt	224	German	Grain	acidulated malt	3.4°L	27	3%	1% - 20%
American - Vienna	169	American	Grain	base malt	4°L	35	12%	1% - 54%
German - Wheat Malt	158	German	Grain	base malt	2°L	37	10%	2% - 42%
Munich - Light 10L	157		Grain	specialty malt	10°L	33	10%	2% - 100%
American - White Wheat	128	American	Grain	base malt	2.8°L	40	10%	1% - 45%
Weyermann - Pilsner	125	German	Grain	base malt	1.5°L	36	78%	11% - 100%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	112	American	Grain	crystal malt	1.8°L	33	8%	0% - 100%

Hops Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Hallertau Mittelfruh	354	3.75	45%	5% - 100%
Tettnanger	347	4.5	41%	6% - 100%
Saaz	218	3.5	37%	7% - 100%
Magnum	172	15	35%	3% - 100%
Perle	151	8.2	37%	7% - 100%
Hallertau Hersbrucker	147	4	48%	4% - 100%
Domestic Hallertau	99	3.9	48%	8% - 100%
Spalt	92	4.5	47%	3% - 100%
Hallertau Tradition (Germany)	79	5	44%	2% - 100%
Hallertau Blanc	68	10	42%	0% - 100%

Steeping Grains Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
German - Vienna	15	German	Grain	base malt	4°L	37	66%	28% - 100%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	12	American	Grain	crystal malt	1.8°L	33	51%	20% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 10L	11	American	Grain	crystal malt	10°L	35	57%	25% - 100%
American - Vienna	9	American	Grain	base malt	4°L	35	63%	20% - 100%
American - Wheat	9	American	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	38	32%	25% - 43%
Munich - Light 10L	8		Grain	specialty malt	10°L	33	45%	33% - 74%
German - Carapils	5	German	Grain	crystal malt	1.3°L	35	67%	20% - 100%
US - Pale 2-Row	4	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	58%	25% - 100%
German - Wheat Malt	4	German	Grain	base malt	2°L	37	43%	33% - 57%
Munich	4		Grain	specialty malt	6°L	37	48%	33% - 67%

Yeasts Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Laboratory	Type	Alcohol Tolerance	Flocculation	Attenuation	Min. Temp	Max. Temp
White Labs - German Ale/ Kölsch Yeast WLP029	398	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Medium	75%	65°F	69°F
Wyeast - Kölsch 2565	333	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Low	75%	56°F	70°F
Fermentis - Safale - German Ale Yeast K-97	276	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.104	High	81%	54°F	77°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® KÖLN KÖLSCH KOLSCH STYLE ALE YEAST	188	Lallemand	Ales	Medium	Medium	75%	59°F	72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	108	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Imperial Yeast - G03 Dieter	93	Imperial Yeast	German Ale		Medium	75%	60°F	69°F
Omega Yeast Labs - Kolsch II OYL-044	71	Omega Yeast Labs	Ales	0.1	Medium	75%	65°F	69°F
Wyeast - German Ale 1007	23	Wyeast	Ale	0.11	Low	75%	55°F	68°F
Wyeast - Kölsch II 2575	23	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Low	75%	55°F	70°F
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast W-34/70	19	Fermentis / Safale	Lagers	.105	High	83%	48°F	72°F

Other Ingredients Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	343	Water Agt	Mash	15%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	216	Water Agt	Mash	14%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	209	Water Agt	Mash	76%	0% - 100%
Whirlfloc	208	Water Agt	Boil	59%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	162	Water Agt	Mash	6%	0% - 67%
Irish Moss	142	Fining	Mash	66%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	90	Water Agt	Mash	17%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	55	Water Agt	Mash	4%	0% - 36%
Yeast Nutrient	51	Other	Boil	32%	0% - 99%
Phosphoric acid	48	Water Agt	Mash	76%	3% - 100%

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