Kolsch

[YamahaXS]

I brewed up whats supposed to be a kolsch, and i would like to have a baseline for tasting (or 5-6 baselines if you know what i mean :D ). Anyone want to recommend me a commercial beer for comparison?

I am pretty confident that I will be in the style guidelines for IBUs and color, but i used the 1056 yeast. Hopefully that yeast is clean enough to give me a kolsch that tastes like a kolsch.

oh, its a ten gallon batch...

10 # light DME (muntons)
1 # dextrine malt 8L
1 # victory malt 23L
2 oz tettnang @ 60 minutes
1 oz Hauertauer @ 15 minutes
1 oz Splat @ 5 minutes

2 tsp irish moss @ 20 min
2 tsp gypsum @ 20 min

wyeast 1056.

[DreamWeaver]

I brewed a Kolsch batch a few batches back and it was one of the better beers I had done so far. Another thread Kolsch (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=2537&highlight=Kolsch+Taste) had a lot of good info. Kolsch. I tried to do a link but I'm too stupid. The thread name in search was: Kolsch Taste. I thought if I said Kolsch 3 times it would have worked??? Maybe I shoulda said "BeetleJuice"?

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by DreamWeaver
I brewed a Kolsch batch a few batches back and it was one of the better beers I had done so far. Another thread Kolsch (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=2537&highlight=Kolsch+Taste) had a lot of good info. Kolsch. I tried to do a link but I'm too stupid. The thread name in search was: Kolsch Taste. I thought if I said Kolsch 3 times it would have worked??? Maybe I shoulda said "BeetleJuice"?

ah i think i found that thread (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2537&highlight=kolsch)


thanks for the heads up.

[paul84043]

I have never tried a commercial Kolsch, but have made a few and they turned out excellent! Definitely on the list of quick, tasty summer beers.

[fuji6100]

I thought you had to mash victory malt?

The one time I steeped it, I got a lot of starch/haze.

[YamahaXS]

i dunno fuji.

I racked over to secondary tonight (3 day primary ferment) and tasted it. Seems like its going to taste good....too early to tell about clarity.

[Wilson]

Three days primary?! Lucky. My Koelsch fermented like hell for 24 hours, got stuck, then I racked to secondary after a week (with a gravity of 1.022, started with 1.050), removed most of the yeast (I guess) and it has SLOWLY been fermenting down for about 12 days now. I'm at a gravity of 1.012 now, so I'm getting close I think, but still have airlock activity. My krausen didnt fall until after 10 days in secondary. Took the gravity reading last night, it tastes good, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I dont have an infection, "Please oh please no infection!"

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by Wilson
Three days primary?! Lucky. My Koelsch fermented like hell for 24 hours, got stuck, then I racked to secondary after a week (with a gravity of 1.022, started with 1.050), removed most of the yeast (I guess) and it has SLOWLY been fermenting down for about 12 days now. I'm at a gravity of 1.012 now, so I'm getting close I think, but still have airlock activity. My krausen didnt fall until after 10 days in secondary. Took the gravity reading last night, it tastes good, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I dont have an infection, "Please oh please no infection!"

i already had yeast cakes in the bottom of my fermentation buckets so I got a very strong showing. Gravity went from 1.042 down to 1.012.

BTW, This beer is for a July wedding, think it will still have flavor by then? Should be clear at least (assuming Fuji's concern doesn't come true). I will keg it in about 10 days.

[ray m]

I just brewed my attempt at a "honey kolsch" yesterday, using 2.5 lbs. of honey. OG was 1.055. I did something different with my yeast starter this time, tho. I made it 3 days ahead of time instead of the day before brewing. Surprise, surprise----my airlock was already bubbling 1 1/2 hours after pitching.

Here is the recipe (very simple)---I hope it turns out:
---6 lbs. pale 2 row malt
---1 lb. wheat malt
---2.5 lbs. clover honey
---1 oz. Hallertau hops (5 AAU)
---White Labs German Ale/Kolsch yeast

I added the honey at the end of the boil, after removing the hops, and boiled the honey for 6 or 7 minutes to mix into the wort & sterilize. I also diluted it with a half water/half honey mixture, so the honey wouldn't burn to the bottom of the pot.

Yamaha & Wilson....good luck on your brews----sound yummy as well!

[YamahaXS]

TURNED OUT GREAT!!!!!


not even carbonated yet and its DELICIOUS. :D

heh too bad both kegs are for a friends wedding.... well i won't suppose 1 or 2 won't be missed since!

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by fuji6100
I thought you had to mash victory malt?

The one time I steeped it, I got a lot of starch/haze.

Its absolutely clear. :)

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by paul84043
I have never tried a commercial Kolsch, but have made a few and they turned out excellent! Definitely on the list of quick, tasty summer beers.

Try Harpoon's Summer Lager.
It's a refreshing summer beer.