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	7627
Kolsch, All Grain	11 gal	4.93%	20.15	1.048	1.011		All Grain	7380
Kolonel Kölsch	5.25 gal	5.18%	25.87	1.048	1.009		All Grain	4834
Kolsch - Brulosophy	5.5 gal	4.95%	27.11	1.047	1.009		All Grain	4762
Kottbusser	11 gal	5.04%	28.01	1.052	1.014		All Grain	4495
Honey Kolsch	5.5 gal	5%	25.18	1.045	1.007		All Grain	4315
KOLSH	500 L	5.4%	21.98	1.050	1.009		All Grain	4185
Alfie - Kolsch	21 L	4.78%	25.81	1.049	1.013		All Grain	4104
SUCK A BAG OF DICKS	10 gal	5.51%	31.26	1.053	1.011		All Grain	3909
Ruby Red Kolsch	5.5 gal	4.83%	25.06	1.048	1.011		All Grain	3782

Newest Kölsch Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Kölsch	5.5 gal	4.2%	25.57	1.042	1.010		All Grain	12
By the Dawn's Early Light	5.5 gal	4.95%	15.22	1.050	1.013		All Grain	40
R&B Summer Quaffing Kolsch 2026	11 gal	4.78%	26.26	1.045	1.009		All Grain	41
Kolsch	43 gal	4.92%	24.41	1.049	1.011		All Grain	25
Tropical Kolsch	5.5 gal	5.31%	33.37	1.049	1.009		All Grain	65
More Beer Kolsch Ale - Extract	5 gal	4.79%	35.3	1.051	1.014		extract	36
BOC Kolsch	5.5 gal	4.74%	20.91	1.047	1.011		All Grain	52
Kolsch Mar 2026	5.25 gal	5.27%	27.3	1.053	1.013		BIAB	52
Kolsch	10 gal	6.29%	20.29	1.062	1.014		All Grain	43
Spring Kölsch	40 L	4.61%	21.68	1.043	1.008		All Grain	37

Fermentables Used In Kölsch Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
German - Pilsner	565	German	Grain	base malt	1.6°L	38	83%	8% - 100%
German - Vienna	327	German	Grain	base malt	4°L	37	11%	2% - 100%
American - Pilsner	242	American	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	80%	3% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt	231	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	160	German	Grain	base malt	2°L	37	10%	2% - 42%
Munich - Light 10L	158		Grain	specialty malt	10°L	33	10%	2% - 100%
American - White Wheat	130	American	Grain	base malt	2.8°L	40	10%	1% - 45%
Weyermann - Pilsner	129	German	Grain	base malt	1.5°L	36	78%	11% - 100%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	115	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	375	3.75	46%	5% - 100%
Tettnanger	366	4.5	41%	6% - 100%
Saaz	222	3.5	38%	7% - 100%
Magnum	180	15	34%	3% - 100%
Perle	156	8.2	37%	6% - 100%
Hallertau Hersbrucker	151	4	47%	4% - 100%
Domestic Hallertau	103	3.9	48%	8% - 100%
Spalt	93	4.5	47%	3% - 100%
Hallertau Tradition (Germany)	87	5	44%	2% - 100%
Hallertau Blanc	67	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	408	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Medium	75%	65°F	69°F
Wyeast - Kölsch 2565	338	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Low	75%	56°F	70°F
Fermentis - Safale - German Ale Yeast K-97	294	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.104	High	81%	54°F	77°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® KÖLN KÖLSCH KOLSCH STYLE ALE YEAST	193	Lallemand	Ales	Medium	Medium	75%	59°F	72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	111	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Imperial Yeast - G03 Dieter	95	Imperial Yeast	German Ale		Medium	75%	60°F	69°F
Omega Yeast Labs - Kolsch II OYL-044	75	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	22	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Low	75%	55°F	70°F
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast W-34/70	20	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	362	Water Agt	Mash	15%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	228	Water Agt	Mash	14%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	223	Water Agt	Mash	75%	0% - 100%
Whirlfloc	218	Fining	Boil	58%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	174	Water Agt	Mash	6%	0% - 67%
Irish Moss	150	Water Agt	Boil	66%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	95	Water Agt	Sparge	16%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	59	Water Agt	Mash	5%	0% - 36%
Yeast Nutrient	56	Other	Boil	32%	0% - 99%
Phosphoric acid	51	Water Agt	Mash	73%	3% - 100%

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