Beer Style: German Kolsch and Altbier
Gordon Strong’s Altbier
In the world of beer trivia, if you mention altbier, most people know two facts: That it comes from Düsseldorf in Germany, and that “alt” means “old” in German. But it’s nothing like an English old ale . . .
Potsdamer Stangenbier
Potsdamer Stangenbier (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.050 FG = 1.010IBU = 15 SRM = 3 ABV = 5.3% Ingredients6.5 lbs. (3 kg) Weyermann Barke® Pilsner malt 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) Weyermann Floor-Malted
Kölsch One and Two
I really do like the technique of first wort hopping, I feel that in such a delicately balanced beer, the hop flavor just seems more integrated without being overbearing.
Das Altbier: Germany’s old-school style
Altbier is the famed beer of Düsseldorf that translates to “old beer” in English. But this old beer is nothing like an English old ale. Learn its distinguishing traits and pointers to brew one.
Long Trail Brewing Co.’s Long Trail Ale clone
Long Trail Ale, which has won multiple awards at GABF, is considered an altbier with several unique twists to it.
Cologne Kölsch
The word Kölsch has several connotations in the German language. If used as a noun, it refers to the distinct Cologne dialect and accent. As an adjective, it means “anything from Cologne.” Thus, it is a local joke that Kölsch is the only language that you can also drink!
Düsseldorf Altbier
The grain bill of the classic copper-colored altbier — which is internationally also known as a German Brown Ale — is almost Munich-like, but with a slightly less “caramelly” character than a Märzen, and less dark than a dunkel. It differs from a Munich brew, however, in its much more pronounced hoppiness. This creates a wonderful blend of malt-and-hop aromas in the finish, which is often described as bitter-sweet. The uniqueness of this beer — an ale after all — comes from the clean fermentation of a relatively cold-tolerant, top-fermenting specialty yeast.
Horst’s Kölsch
One of Germany’s summer session beers, Kölsch is a fairly recent development by beer-historical standards. The style has no exact birthday, but instead emerged gradually as a beer style in Cologne shortly after World War I. Frequent contributor Horst Dornbusch provides BYO readers with a recipe for this style of beer.
Cowboy Alt
Jamil Zainasheff provides a classic Düsseldorf altbier recipe for readers here. You can find the full Style Profile column in the articles section to delve deeper into this style.
Red X Altbier
There is a yearly Chicago Homebrew Club Competition sponsored by Bell’s Brewing called Hoptacular and this took second place in 2013, but still a C.H.A.O.S. club favorite and re-brewed several times. We have done lightly rested Bourbon Barrel versions as well.
Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s Louie’s Demise Ale: Replicator
Dear Replicator, My neighbor and brewing buddy, David Toomes, was visiting relatives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin a couple of months ago. He texted me to say he had found a beer he just
Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s Louie’s Demise Ale clone
A traditional German altbier. Owner Jim McCabe’s goal was to have a malt-forward, but well-balanced beer with complex flavors. The blend of Munich, honey, and caramel malts accomplishes this nicely and add earthy and caramel notes.