Blonde ale = Kölsch ?

[Tony B]

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.

 

[MaxStout]

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."

 

[Tony B]

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."

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.

 

[day_trippr]

I'm gonna guess it wasn't selling as "Kölsch"...

Cheers!

 

[MaxStout]

I'm gonna guess it wasn't selling as "Kölsch"...

Cheers!

The umlauts freaked out the customers.

 

[Tony B]

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.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

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.

Just like Bitter in the UK, the marketing people now have
Golden Ale
Amber Ale
Pale Ale
IPA ( some at 3.4%)
Etc

 

[MaxStout]

A rose by any other name...

 

[hottpeper13]

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!

 

[Miraculix]

Well.... A Kölsch by definition is actually a blonde ale.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Leffe is a Blonde Ale, Kolsch is a lager fermented with a top fermenting German yeast. It is lagered just like a German Lager.

 

[Miraculix]

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]

Leffe is a Blonde Ale, Kolsch is a lager fermented with a top fermenting German yeast. It is lagered just like a German Lager.

Kölsch is an ale fermented at ale temps with ale yeast, but lagered cold for longer than an ale typically would be.

 

[day_trippr]

I'm hearing "Dueling Banjos" in the background

 

[Miraculix]

Actually, you could call a Kölsch a German cream ale.

 

[MaxStout]

I'm hearing "Dueling Banjos" in the background

 

[Tony B]

View attachment 874752

Like a pig?

 

[Closet Fermenter]

N

Like a pig?

Now I’m going to have a difficult time eating pork bratwurst with my Kölsch. Just not the image I want in my head.

 

[lumpher]

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...

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I've always used 2565 for my kolsch brews. It just works...

Cheers!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

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...

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.

 

[Tony B]

I’ve only used 029 and like it, but plan to eventually try others.

 

[wepeeler]

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!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

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!

Great encouragement, I will give it a try, Thanks!

Good luck with your brewing!!

 

[lumpher]

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).

 

[MaxStout]

For dry, K-97 will get you kind of close.

 

[BongoYodeler]

So wrapping up, I guess a Kolsch is a blonde ale, but it is not a Blonde Ale.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

Got a 10 gallon batch going right now on K97.

 

[Miraculix]

So wrapping up, I guess a Kolsch is a blonde ale, but it is not a Blonde Ale.

Except for when it is also a blonde ale.

 

[Bassman2003]

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.