First Kolsch - Page 3

markwarren66 · 02-01-2009, 02:27 PM

Update - I kegged the beer a month ago, after being in the primary for almost 6 months! I hooked it up to the gas, but didn't try it until last night because I wanted to clean the lines first. It was very good! A bit darker, more of a copper color, but very tasty with absolutely no off flavors.

I also brewed the St. Paul Porter from Northern Brewer last night, and I have 20 gallons of apfelwein in the works. I am officially back on track. Next week I'm brewing an anchor steam clone.

ZOG · 02-01-2009, 06:43 PM

I just tried my first bottle of Mid West Kolsch just today

it was very good. I fermented it at 63 then racked to secondary and left in the garagw for 10 days (50 degrees)

bottled for 15 days

very smooooth and refreshing

BubbaK · 03-19-2009, 02:33 AM

I just bought the Brewers Best Kolsch.. I've seen comments about leaving in a secondary for 2 months, I've seen 2 weeks I've seen no secondary.. I'm going to be bottling this batch.. How long should I leave it in the secondary? I didn't open it to see what yeast it comes with.. just put it all in the fridge..

Mad_Milo · 03-23-2009, 02:01 AM

2 to 4 weeks in the secondary, then cold-condition/lager it below 40°F. You can lager it in the keg.

If you aren't force carb'ing it, just lager the secondary for a week or two. Even when it's cleared, there is enough yeast to bottle condition it at normal ale temps and time. This way you may not have such a heavy deposit in the bottle.

Hope this helps. I've bottled 3 extract/steeped kolschys, and just kegged an AG kolschy that is lagering as of yesterday. All of them cleared well over time, just be patient with the conditioning.

Mad_Milo · 03-23-2009, 02:10 AM

When brewing with extract/steeping, you get a slightly darker and a bit heavier beer from the extract.

Also, keep the boil a short as recommended, as the wort can caramelize. The color and flavor differences through my past batches ranged as much as the techniques. The condensed 3 gallon boil was the darkest and almost too malty. Once I was doing full size boils, that helped lighten the beer a lot but it still finished in the higher end of the BJCP FG range at 1.011. The first AG batch just finished out at 1.008 FG.

It's becoming a favorite among friends, and a great warm weather beer.

BubbaK · 03-23-2009, 04:39 PM

I just brewed this over the weekend using the BB kit. It came with a package of Notty, not the Kolsch yeast... MY OG was 1.044 . I've got the primary in the basement at about 64*. Is that too cool for Nottingham? The package says 68-72, but I've seen others say low 60's is fine.. I can convert an old soda machine for a lagering cooler when I get to secondary.. Or should I not even bother with this type of yeast?

Mad_Milo · 03-23-2009, 04:52 PM

Unfortunately without the Kolsch specific yeast, you simply brewed a nice blonde ale. It's the yeast that makes this beer taste like it does - very light floral/fruity esters.

If you want to try to get some sort of esters, you can try fermenting in the higher range.

Just remember that you are using an english ale yeast on a very german style.

BubbaK · 03-23-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Milo

Unfortunately without the Kolsch specific yeast, you simply brewed a nice blonde ale. It's the yeast that makes this beer taste like it does - very light floral/fruity esters.

If you want to try to get some sort of esters, you can try fermenting in the higher range.

Just remember that you are using an english ale yeast on a very german style.

So I should just ferment in the low 70's for 2 weeks or so, crash cool and just bottle. I've used a secondary for my other 2 ales, but not sure if it was really needed.

Mad_Milo · 03-24-2009, 01:53 AM

If you are looking for some ester flavors, ferment high 60s or so. Unfortunately, I do not know what flavors the notty yeast is capable of, as I haven't used it much. Ferment as usual though - primary then secondary to give yourself a settled out ale. Clarity is what you are aiming for, and maybe a cold crash would help if Notty doesn't settle out well.