I’ve recently run into this a couple times where breweries label a beer as a Blonde ale but in the description it says Kölsch. Not sure if this is something new or just me paying closer attention.
Blonde ale = Kölsch ?
- Thread starter Tony B
- Start date
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Breweries' marketing for people who don't want to approach the nuances that differentiate the two.
"What's a Kolsch like?"
"Uh, it's kinda like a blonde ale."
"OK, I'll have a pint of your blonde ale."
"What's a Kolsch like?"
"Uh, it's kinda like a blonde ale."
"OK, I'll have a pint of your blonde ale."
OP
OP
I have no doubt it’s marketing to the less beer informed and I’m hoping it works because everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy Kölsch style beers. It is certainly in my top 5 favorite styles. I live in San Diego and am surrounded by breweries, but few offer a Kölsch. Many offer a blonde ale. I guess I’m just wondering if labeling Kölsch as blonde ale is a new thing or something I’m just now noticing.
I'm gonna guess it wasn't selling as "Kölsch"...
Cheers!
Cheers!
The umlauts freaked out the customers.
OP
OP
I have never been to Koln and have no plans to. I have had very few examples of a “Kölsch”. There’s just something about that yeast character that I am fond of. It’s kind of mind blowing and intriguing to me how much yeast character drives any brew. It brings more love and interest for me in brewing and drinking delicious nectar of the gods. 
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Just like Bitter in the UK, the marketing people now have
Golden Ale
Amber Ale
Pale Ale
IPA ( some at 3.4%)
Etc
A rose by any other name...
Aside from the yeast character another factor is the the ABV. I find 4.8% to be the sweet spot, blonde ales are ~5.2%.
I sampled a Kolsch at a festival and asked the brewer what yeast he used , it was US 05, that makes it a blonde ale!
I sampled a Kolsch at a festival and asked the brewer what yeast he used , it was US 05, that makes it a blonde ale!
Leffe is a Blonde Ale, Kolsch is a lager fermented with a top fermenting German yeast. It is lagered just like a German Lager.
Isn't that wonderfull? Such a diversity.
crazyjake19
Well-Known Member
Kölsch is an ale fermented at ale temps with ale yeast, but lagered cold for longer than an ale typically would be.
I'm hearing "Dueling Banjos" in the background 
OP
OP
N
Now I’m going to have a difficult time eating pork bratwurst with my Kölsch. Just not the image I want in my head.Like a pig?
I haven't made a Kölsch in a long time now. This thread has me really wanting to make 1. What's the most authentic Kölsch yeast still on the market? I'm thinking 2565, but 029 is good, too. Unfortunately, my old go-to (Köln) doesn't exist anymore...
fwiw, I've always used 2565 for my kolsch brews. It just works...
Cheers!
Cheers!
I have used 2565 but I prefer Wyeast's 2575-PC when it's available. Next Kolsch brew I want to try Omega Kolsch yeast to see if it's better.
Kolsch is a great beer and the yeast makes the difference. US-05 doesn't make for a Kolsch.
OP
OP
I’ve only used 029 and like it, but plan to eventually try others.
Omega Kolsch II! I've tried virtually every Kolsch yeast I can get my hands on, and I would never used anything else ever again! Just made a starter last night, and I'll be brewing a batch tomorrow night!
I've never used the Omega Kolsch II, so I'll run with that this time. And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming (sorry to borrow the thread, OP, but it looked like it had run it's course).
For dry, K-97 will get you kind of close.
So wrapping up, I guess a Kolsch is a blonde ale, but it is not a Blonde Ale.
Got a 10 gallon batch going right now on K97.
Except for when it is also a blonde ale.So wrapping up, I guess a Kolsch is a blonde ale, but it is not a Blonde Ale.
Kolsch and Saison are the two most stepped on style names imho. They can be a lot of things when you go to a craft brewery.
