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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental Ales

Beer From Saints, for Sinners

Kölsch

Kölsch is an ale style emanating from Cologne in Germany. In Germany (and the European Community) the term is strictly legally limited to the beers from within the city environs of Cologne. Simply put, kölsch has the color of a pilsner with some of the fruity character of an ale. This is achieved with the use of top-fermenting yeasts and pale pilsner malts. The hops are accented on the finish, which classically is dry and herbal. It is a medium- to light-bodied beer and delicate in style. Most examples in the United States are brewpub draft interpretations produced during the summer months, though some commercial brewers produce a summer ale in the kölsch style.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

91 Samuel Adams East-West Kölsch, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5% ABV (5/11)
Deep old gold color. Interesting aromas and flavors of frosted scone dunked in jasmine tea, wintergreen and turmeric with a supple dryish medium body and a crisp, green apple, mineral and radicchio-accented finish. Serve with pretzels.

90 Sünner Kölsch, Brauerei Gerbruder (Germany). 5.3% ABV (6/11)
Bright golden yellow color. Attractive aromas of raisin toast and frittata with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a refreshing, delicate radish and herb-accented finish.

88 Summertime Kölsch, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 4.7% ABV (6/11)
Orange, melon, and nut bread aromas and flavors with a supple, dryish medium body and a tangy yellow apple and peppery arugula finish.

86 Solstice Kölsch, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (5/11)
Golden yellow color. Salty buttered toasted baguette and okra aromas with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a crisp, jicama, plantain and wet lettuce-accented finish. A nice, easy drinking quaffer.

85 Kentucky Light, Alltech Lexington Brewing (KY). 4.32% ABV (5/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of toasted bread crust and lightly roasted corn follow through on a soft, fluffy entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with good balance and a touch of creamed spinach and white chocolate on the relaxed hop finish.

85 Kayak Kölsch, Lake Superior Brewing (MN). 4.7% ABV (5/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of peaches, strawberries, edamame and raisin scones with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a creamy strawberry malted milk and lettuce-accented finish. Nice fruitiness.

85 Sister Golden Ale, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 4.7% ABV (5/11)
Yellow color. Aromas of toast, salted nuts and faint lemon curd with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a breezy plantain, wafer and peppery mustard greens-like finish.

84 Best Blonde, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 4% ABV (4/09)
Hazy old gold color with a fine blanket of foam. Aromas of pepper frittata, floury toasted biscuit and wet dirt follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with sourdough and bruised lemon notes. Finishes with a rich, multigrain flour and fried egg-yolk fade. Interesting.

81 Victor’s Gold, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 4.5% ABV (5/11)
Hazy golden amber color. Aromas of orange buttercream and crusty baguette with a satiny, dryish medium body and carrot skin, sprout and mineral-accented finish.

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