
Full Answer
What does the Word Kölsch mean?
Wiktionary. Kölschnoun. The Germanic language / German dialect spoken in and around Cologne, Germany, part of the Ripuarian language area. Kölschnoun. A type of strong lager brewed in and around Cologne, Germany.
What does Kölsch mean in beer?
Kolsch beer stems from Cologne (Koln), Germany, but has found its way onto America's craft beer scene like many other German beers. Technically, for beer to be called a Kolsch, it has to come from the city of Cologne, but that hasn't stopped American craft brewers from embracing the Kolsch style of beers.
Why is it called Kölsch?
Kölsch History This type of beer is rooted in the brewing tradition that emanates from Cologne (Köln) Germany; a place Kölsch beer now calls home. It was here in this city, during the 17th century, where the seeds were sown for the Kölsch that we enjoy today.
What is the difference between a Kölsch and a pilsner?
Though they use different yeast, the two beers look very similar, with a brilliant straw yellow to pale golden color and snowy head. Pilsners tend to have a drier profile, while kölsches are creamy and soft; both have a crisp finish attributed to the cold lagering process.
Is Coors light a Kolsch?
Coors Light is a 4.2% (US) ABV light beer brewed in Golden, Colorado; Albany, Georgia; Elkton, Virginia; Fort Worth, Texas; Irwindale, California; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin....Coors Light.The current logo, used since 2015.TypeBeer, lagerCountry of originUnited StatesIntroduced1978Alcohol by volume4.2%1 more row
What's the difference between a Kolsch and a lager?
But Kölsch is more subtly complex, less aggressively bitter and slightly lower in alcohol than pilsner, which is a lager, not an ale like Kölsch. In fact, the historically minded might say that pilsner was the enemy that Kölsch was created to combat.
How do you say Kolsch in German?
You might have heard kölsch pronounced, “Coal-Sh” (admittedly, that's how we said it too), but the correct German pronunciation is more similar to, “K'ool-Sh.” The difference in sound comes from the German pronunciation of an Umlaut – this thing: “ö” which sounds like “oo” or “ue.”
Is a Kolsch a blonde?
A refreshing sparkling blonde ale with subdued maltiness and unobtrusive hoppiness.
Is Kolsch an IPA?
The Kolsch IPA is a dry-hopped brew fermented with Kolsch Yeast. It's hoppy, peppery and has plenty of citrus on the nose and the tongue, with a body comprised of Pilsner and Wheat malt. Hops include Nugget and Falconer's Flight, and this beer's ABV is nice and easy, at 5.6%.
What does Kölsch taste like?
Kölsch beers are characterized by a lightly fruity yeast note in aroma and taste, as well as a pleasant hoppy bitterness. The history of kölsch beer goes back to the year 874 AD.
How do you drink Kölsch?
One must drink Kölsch at about 10 degrees Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit, in a tall, thin, 0.2-liter glass. Locally, these glasses are called stange, otherwise known as “poles.” It's been said that during public outings, locals will bring along a wagon of Kölsch glasses to make sure that friends are amply supplied.
Is Kölsch a sour beer?
Kölsch are the German response to the British Pale Ale. They are light, and slightly fruity with no discernible alcohol taste. They are brewed with Pale and Vienna malts to keep them crisp, though Wheat malts are sometimes used to keep them smooth.
Is Kölsch an Ale or a Lager?
Bottom line, kölsch is an ale but it shares similarities with a lager. When brewed, a kölsch beer is made using top-fermenting ale yeasts; however, after the yeast has been activated, the brew is cooled and fermented at a lower temp, which is more how lagers are brewed.
How to Pronounce Kölsch
You might have heard kölsch pronounced, “Coal-Sh” (admittedly, that’s how we said it too), but the correct German pronunciation is more similar to, “K’ool-Sh.” The difference in sound comes from the German pronunciation of an Umlaut – this thing: “ö” which sounds like “oo” or “ue.”
About Kölsch – Essential Style Information
Koslch come from Cologne (Köln), Germany where it has legal protection of an appellation similar to Berliner Weisse beers from Berlin, Germany and the Trappist ales of Belgium.
What is the stange in kolsch?
Placing the coaster on top of the glass tells the köbe that you're done. Kölsch is served in a very specific glass, called a stange (meaning "rod" or "stick").
Where is Kölsch brewed?
Back to Top. Kölsch (or koelsh, pronounced K'ul sh) is a German pale ale brewed in and around the city of Cologne (Köln). This top-fermented beer uses an ale yeast, noble hops, and light pilsner malt. The beer is fermented at warm temperatures to impart a fruity aspect, then spends a few weeks at colder temperatures, a method used in lagers.
How many ounces of kölsch is in a glass?
The glass holds just 200 milliliters (about 7 ounces) because kölsch is best served chilled (38 degrees to 45 degrees Fahrenheit) and fresh for the maximum sparkle. With these small servings, there is no opportunity for a warm, stale beer when drinking kölsch.
Is Köhlsch a German beer?
Though this is strictly adhered to in Germany, American craft breweries have adopted kölsch. In Germany, kölsch is brewed according to Reinheitsgebot.
Is kölsch beer available in Germany?
Though distribution is limited outside of Germany, they are available. American-brewed kölsch is rather easy to find and a few breweries are particularly noted for the style. They are often labeled "German-style kölsch" or "kölsch-style ale" as an acknowledgment that they're not German-brewed.
Is a kölsch beer a hybrid?
The beer is fermented at warm temperatures to impart a fruity aspect, then spends a few weeks at colder temperatures, a method used in lagers. This duality means kölsch is often considered a hybrid beer. The cold temperatures give kölsch a crisp, dry quality while the ale yeast contributes some fruity and bread-like aromas ...
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Definitions & Translations
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What is a Kölsch?
Kölsch is a clear German ale with a light golden color and mildly fruity profile. It forms a thick white foam and has a lighter body. It is gently bittered with Noble hops and overall well balanced. Its simultaneous softness and snap deliver a refreshing and utterly enjoyable drinking experience.
What does "Kölsch" mean in Köln?
In Köln when you order a beer, you are given a Kölsch. In fact the locals say “In Köln sagt man Kölsch statt Bier“ which means “In Cologne a person says Kolsch instead of beer“.
How many ounces is a Kolsch stick glass?
The name for the unique tall and skinny Kolsch glass is stange. Sometimes it is also referred to as a stick glass. A stange holds only 6.5 oz (200 ml) so imbibing the contents of a few glasses in a short time is more the norm than the exception.
What is a kranz?
To facilitate safely transporting multiple stange glasses the inventive people of Köln devised the kranz – a wreath shaped beer glass carrier. Traditionally, Kölsch is served by a Köbes. The male only servers called Köbesse (plural) are a link to the historical beer heritage of Cologne.
Where does Kölsch come from?
Kölsch is pronounced kœlʃ i.e. koelsch. The name of the beer comes from the German city of Köln (Cologne). It is not simply a name for the style of beer. Translated from German it means from Köln / with Köln origins. Just like Deutsch (German) means from Deutschland (Germany).
Is Kölsch a top fermenting lager?
The Germans often say that Kölsch is a top-fermenting lager, because they use the word lagered to refer to a particular method of fermentation and storage in cold temperatures ( lagern ). Sometimes the style is referred to as a hybrid ale, on account of the specific nature of the yeast used to brew it.
Can you brew a real kolsch?
Since you cannot brew a real Kölsch beer unless you adhere to the strict ingredients and process guidelines and do so in the Cologne area you can try your hand at a Kolsch style ale. There are so many wonderful recipes out there.

Overview
Kölsch is a style of beer originating in Cologne, Germany. It has an original gravity between 11 and 14 degrees Plato (specific gravity of 1.044 to 1.056). In appearance, it is bright and clear with a straw-yellow hue.
Since 1997, the term "Kölsch" has had a protected geographical indication (PGI) within the European Union, indicating a beer that is made within 50 kilometres (…
History
Bottom-fermented beer started to appear in the Cologne region in the early 17th century and its popularity threatened the business interest of the brewers of Cologne, who only produced top-fermented beers. In response, the town council of Cologne in 1603 forced young brewers to swear an oath "that you prepare your beer, as of old, from good malt, good cereals, and good hops, well-boiled, …
Serving
In Cologne, Kölsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre (6.8 US fl oz) glass called a Stange ("pole" or "rod"). The server, called a Köbes, carries eleven or twelve Stangen in a Kranz ("wreath"), a circular tray resembling a crown or wreath. Instead of waiting for the drinker to order a refill, the Köbes immediately replaces an empty Stange with a full one, marking a tick on the co…
Outside the EU
As noted above, Kölsch is a product which has a protected geographical indication (PGI) in the EU. This protection is not recognized outside the jurisdiction of the EU, and many breweries outside the EU produce and market beer as "kolsch" or "kölsch" with varying degrees of authenticity.
See also
• Knupp beer [de] (Kölsches Knupp, Kölnisches Knupp, Kuletschbier), another type of beer of Colognian origin
• Cream ale
• Beer in Germany
External links
• "Alles über das Kölner Bier" (in German). Michael Berger. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
• Kölsch-Konvention (in German)
• Website of the Deutscher Brauer-Bund e. V. (in German)
• Brauhaustouren in Köln (in German)