[Frankenbrew]

Looking forward to hearing the comparison.

[coolman26]

Still my favorite Kolsch yeast is Giga 021. I brew Kolsch frequently when I’m brewing. Not sure where or what strain it is, but it is what I now use.


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[majorvices]

I love it when people say "that kolsch strain is too clean almost pilsner like" .... because when in Cologne that's usually what you are going to find. These aren't ester filled beers. They are clean, crisp and quaffable. I do admit to trying to squeeze out a little more chardonnay character out of my kolsch but in Cologne much of the beers are very, very clean with only a  little ester presence.

[coolman26]

I love it when people say "that kolsch strain is too clean almost pilsner like" .... because when in Cologne that's usually what you are going to find. These aren't ester filled beers. They are clean, crisp and quaffable. I do admit to trying to squeeze out a little more chardonnay character out of my kolsch but in Cologne much of the beers are very, very clean with only a  little ester presence.

Interesting, I’ve never been there to have that first hand experience. I didn’t know that. I guess I always try for that vinous character. Thanks


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[JT]

My 2 cents:
Keep the recipe simple (have you tried 100% pilsner malt?).  Avoid late hops (read: first wort only).  IMO correct water is a big factor here - Martin did a great write up on this a while back for Zymurgy I think.  WLP029 is my go to.  As Major mentioned, in can be temperature finicky.  I've had sluggish starts at 62° while 64° takes off.
I love this style and brew a lot of it. 
This simple approach took BOS at Beer & Sweat last year (humblebrag).  Happy to share any and all info you want. 

Edit: Zymurgy feature was May/June 2017.  "Water for Kölsch Brewing" by Martin Brungard.  Featured in "Kölsch" by Dave Clark. 

[Iliff Ave]

My 2 cents:
Keep the recipe simple (have you tried 100% pilsner malt?).  Avoid late hops (read: first wort only).  IMO correct water is a big factor here - Martin did a great write up on this a while back for Zymurgy I think.  WLP029 is my go to.  As Major mentioned, in can be temperature finicky.  I've had sluggish starts at 62° while 64° takes off.
I love this style and brew a lot of it. 
This simple approach took BOS at Beer & Sweat last year (humblebrag).  Happy to share any and all info you want. 

Edit: Zymurgy feature was May/June 2017.  "Water for Kölsch Brewing" by Martin Brungard.  Featured in "Kölsch" by Dave Clark.

Thanks for the information! As you alluded to, I always assumed a good kolsch had a different yeast character than lagers which is part of the reason I am drawn to them.

I have tweaked so many things over the years that it's hard to remember what has worked best for me. I have done 100% pilsner malt before. For my next one, maybe I will just simplify as you suggest and go from there.

What IBU figure do you shoot for?

[JT]

My 2 cents:
Keep the recipe simple (have you tried 100% pilsner malt?).  Avoid late hops (read: first wort only).  IMO correct water is a big factor here - Martin did a great write up on this a while back for Zymurgy I think.  WLP029 is my go to.  As Major mentioned, in can be temperature finicky.  I've had sluggish starts at 62° while 64° takes off.
I love this style and brew a lot of it. 
This simple approach took BOS at Beer & Sweat last year (humblebrag).  Happy to share any and all info you want. 

Edit: Zymurgy feature was May/June 2017.  "Water for Kölsch Brewing" by Martin Brungard.  Featured in "Kölsch" by Dave Clark.

What IBU figure do you shoot for?

20-25 IBUs.  Ignore the temptation to drop a small amount of a bitterring hop like magnum.  Instead, use a more generous charge of a noble hop (or noble-ish hop like Perle). 

[Iliff Ave]

My 2 cents:
Keep the recipe simple (have you tried 100% pilsner malt?).  Avoid late hops (read: first wort only).  IMO correct water is a big factor here - Martin did a great write up on this a while back for Zymurgy I think.  WLP029 is my go to.  As Major mentioned, in can be temperature finicky.  I've had sluggish starts at 62° while 64° takes off.
I love this style and brew a lot of it. 
This simple approach took BOS at Beer & Sweat last year (humblebrag).  Happy to share any and all info you want. 

Edit: Zymurgy feature was May/June 2017.  "Water for Kölsch Brewing" by Martin Brungard.  Featured in "Kölsch" by Dave Clark.

What IBU figure do you shoot for?

20-25 IBUs.  Ignore the temptation to drop a small amount of a bitterring hop like magnum.  Instead, use a more generous charge of a noble hop (or noble-ish hop like Perle).

Got. I did do a FWH charge of 100% spalt once and liked the results. Perle sounds like a good option since it has higher AA%.

[juggabrew303]

IMO, 2565 is the only kolsch yeast that give the results I want.

Very helpful! What others have you used?

I am really interested in trying the few that Inland Island offers. They are located here in denver so maybe you can't or haven't tried them.

https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-572-golden-kolsch-style-ale/
https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-571-kolsch-style-ale/
https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-573-german-hybrid-ale/

Ive used INIS571 a couple times and I think it’s close to 029.  It’s too clean for my taste, it doesn’t have that pear profile and mouth feel I look for and I’ve gone back to 2565 on my latest kölsch(kegging on Wednesday). 

The word is, 571 is from a local brewery you should know...Call to Arms.  I dint care for their kölsch at all. 

I’m curious which brewery gave you their ferm schedule? I’d like to know if you don’t mind sharing.  The only commercial kölsch I’ve liked in CO is from joyride and steamworks isn’t bad. 


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[Iliff Ave]

IMO, 2565 is the only kolsch yeast that give the results I want.

Very helpful! What others have you used?

I am really interested in trying the few that Inland Island offers. They are located here in denver so maybe you can't or haven't tried them.

https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-572-golden-kolsch-style-ale/
https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-571-kolsch-style-ale/
https://inlandislandyeast.com/yeast-library/inis-573-german-hybrid-ale/

Ive used INIS571 a couple times and I think it’s close to 029.  It’s too clean for my taste, it doesn’t have that pear profile and mouth feel I look for and I’ve gone back to 2565 on my latest kölsch(kegging on Wednesday). 

The word is, 571 is from a local brewery you should know...Call to Arms.  I dint care for their kölsch at all. 

I’m curious which brewery gave you their ferm schedule? I’d like to know if you don’t mind sharing.  The only commercial kölsch I’ve liked in CO is from joyride and steamworks isn’t bad. 


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It was New Terrain. Most local attempts miss the style by a long ways in my opinion but I really enjoyed theirs. Haven’t been to call to arms in some time so I have never tried their kolsch however I do like their beers