Kolsch Beer

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   Unknown to me until I got a great package from 3Montes (you can see it here), Kolsch style beer originates from Cologne, Germany- or Koln as it is known in German. By the German Purity Law decree, that type of beer can only be brewed (in Germany) in and around Koln, or else it cannot be called Kolsch. 

Fortunately, we can brew it here and call it Kolsch! Kolsch is a refreshing wheat-style beer. It is brewed with 10% wheat and is very lightly hopped. Some breweries use honey in the blend for a smoother character. It has a soft, rounded style, very suitable for summer.

Keith sent me Kolsch from 2 different breweries in his town. The first, made by Lake Superior Brewing Company had a nice color, and a rich pour with little head- characteristic of Kolsch beers. It was very smooth, full-tasting due to it's minimal hops. They were almost unnoticeable, and this let the wheat flavour come through generously with it's hint of sweetness.

The second bottle I tasted came from the Schell Brewing Company which, by the way, is celebrating 150 years of being in business this year. This particular Kolsch was nicely hopped, giving the beer a nice bite with each sip, start to finish. It had a slightly darker hue, but tasted much lighter and "fresher" clearly due in part to the generous hops. This beer did not have as rich a mouthfeel as the previous one, that's why I preferred it. It's lighter, crisper style is more a summer-style beer to me, over the richer, less-hopped versions. Schell Brewery picked a perfect name for this one: Zommerfest!

In all, Kolsch beers were a wonderful discovery and I look forward to trying more of them.