Beer Style: German Kolsch and Altbier
Kölsch: The Delicate Beer of Cologne
Is it a lager or an ale? Actually, Kölsch is a bit of both as it is fermented with ale yeast prior to extended lagering. Learn more about this refreshing style from Cologne, Germany.
Gordon Strong’s Kölsch
Is it a lager or an ale? Actually, Kölsch is a bit of both as it is fermented with ale yeast prior to extended lagering.
Altbier
This recipe is based on the all-grain recipe by Gordon Strong in the January-February 2019 issue of BYO and shows how I would approach the recipe as a partial mash, replacing much of the base malt with malt extract allows for a shortened brew day that requires less equipment than all-grain brewing does.
Schumacher Latzenbier clone
Latzenbier, at 5.5% ABV, is a bit more malty than Schumacher’s everyday altbier, yet still nicely balanced toward the bitter end.
Schlüssel Stike clone
This special fall release from Schlüssel is similar to their everyday beer, but bigger, richer, and just a tiny bit sweeter up front, balanced by a higher 38 IBUs.
Uerige Sticke clone
Uerige Altbier has predominant notes of honey and biscuit, and a very slight roasted note can be found in the finish. Their Sticke Altbier at 6% is dry hopped, giving it the boldest nose of the special release altbiers from Düsseldorf breweries.
The Special Altbiers of Düsseldorf
Each fall, four of the five remaining classic altbier breweries in Düsseldorf, Germany, have annual special beer releases. They are bigger versions of the delicious altbier that they brew and serve every day. Jamil Zainasheff made a trip so he could attend the release
of three of them in 2023 and returned home with information on how homebrewers can recreate these beers themselves.
Oakshire Brewing Co.’s Key-Limety Kölsch clone
Brewed to include the addition of key lime puree, this Kölsch uses a semi-traditional Kölsch grist bill along with a big helping of honey. Fermented with Kölsch yeast and finishing dry, this is a very fun one. Feel free to omit the fruit or substitute another fruit for key lime, as Oakshire has done on occasion.
Tettnang SMaSH Kölsch
A quick and straightforward recipe for a refreshing SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) Kölsch.
Step-Mashed Kölsch
It is possible to produce a Kölsch in less time, but Kölsch yeast is notoriously difficult to clear because it is a powdery yeast. Giving it sufficient classic lagering time does help it clear, and it also helps reduce some of the sulfur notes produced by the yeast. Kettle finings or post-fermentation clearing agents (even mechanical filtration) is recommended if the beer isn’t fully clear. Kölsch should be a brilliantly clear beer, so please pay attention to this important part of the style.
Unicorn Brewing Co.’s Cliffhanger Kölsch-Style Beer clone
Unicorn Brewing Co.’s Cliffhanger Kölsch-Style Beer clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.053 FG = 1.011IBU = 25 SRM = 4 ABV = 5.5% This is a scaled down version of
Devil’s Purse Brewing Co.’s Handline Kölsch clone
In the end, this beer just takes patience, unless you have a centrifuge. Cold lagering for a month should provide you with the clarity and crispness you’re looking for.
