[Stevie]

Can't go wrong with Sterling and Crystal combo. They play nice together.

[majorvices]

Can't go wrong with Sterling and Crystal combo. They play nice together.

My very best Kolsch is all crystal FWH with just a small amount of magnum at 60 minute. That said, I'm going to try the same recipe but with Bavarian Mandarina this spring. Just made an IPA with that hop and it smells lovely.

[HoosierBrew]

Can't go wrong with Sterling and Crystal combo. They play nice together.

My very best Kolsch is all crystal FWH with just a small amount of magnum at 60 minute. That said, I'm going to try the same recipe but with Bavarian Mandarina this spring. Just made an IPA with that hop and it smells lovely.

Yeah, just made a small batch to test out Mandarina Bavaria. That is a really nice hop.

[Stevie]

Unique aroma hops are great in Kölsch IMO. It's really a blank slate and I like it much better than a plain blonde ale or all 2-row smash. It must be the pils.

[HoosierBrew]

Unique aroma hops are great in Kölsch IMO. It's really a blank slate and I like it much better than a plain blonde ale or all 2-row smash. It must be the pils.

I agree.

[coolman26]

Brewing my first Kolsch next weekend.  Not sure why I haven't made one.  Do you guys use wheat in yours?  I've read differences of opinion on wheat.  I thought a bit of wheat was traditional.

[Stevie]

Mine is 90/5/5 - pils/lt munich/wheat. Mix it up as far is OG goes from 1.045-1.055

[majorvices]

Brewing my first Kolsch next weekend.  Not sure why I haven't made one.  Do you guys use wheat in yours?  I've read differences of opinion on wheat.  I thought a bit of wheat was traditional.

You can, just be aware that it is not entirely traditional.

[nateo]

The best Kölsch I had in Cologne used Spalter Select.

[coolman26]

Brewing my first Kolsch next weekend.  Not sure why I haven't made one.  Do you guys use wheat in yours?  I've read differences of opinion on wheat.  I thought a bit of wheat was traditional.

You can, just be aware that it is not entirely traditional.

Is it traditionally straight pilsner malt?  I was thinking Pilsner and some Munich for color. 

[morticaixavier]

Brewing my first Kolsch next weekend.  Not sure why I haven't made one.  Do you guys use wheat in yours?  I've read differences of opinion on wheat.  I thought a bit of wheat was traditional.

You can, just be aware that it is not entirely traditional.

Is it traditionally straight pilsner malt?  I was thinking Pilsner and some Munich for color.

mostly pils. some breweries do use a pinch of wheat and some probably use some munich or kolsch malt.

[nateo]

All the Kölschs I had were extremely pale. I don't think you need Munich malt.

[coolman26]

Preference on WLP029 or WY2565?  May split the batch and try both.

[Stevie]

I use 2565 because my preference edges towards Wyeast. I have heard that WLP029 drops clear faster.

[Iliff Ave]

I use pilsner with some Vienna and wheat. I see that my LHBS now carries kolsch malt so I think I will replace the Vienna with that. I use WLP029. I would like to try WY2565 for comparison.