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Author Topic: Help me finish off my Kolsch  (Read 5831 times)

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2010, 06:21:50 pm »
That's definitely not my favorite yeast for the style, but its real sluggish below 58F. I'd recommend fermenting warmer & lagering vs. forcing a slow, cold ferment. Just my 2-cents!  ;)

Not your favorite yeast for the style? Then what is? I like WLP029, but I think the Wy strain is great - maybe even more authentic.

+1 to Blatz comments. Kolsch has a distinctive, yet subtle, flavor to it. Kind of wine/chardonnay like finish that I haven't ever tasted on any other beer style. That's the key between it tasting like a kolsch and simply being a blonde ale that is called a kolsch. Too many brewpubs call their blondes "kolsch".

Offline bluesman

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2010, 06:36:11 pm »
That's definitely not my favorite yeast for the style, but its real sluggish below 58F. I'd recommend fermenting warmer & lagering vs. forcing a slow, cold ferment. Just my 2-cents!  ;)

+1 to Blatz comments. Kolsch has a distinctive, yet subtle, flavor to it. Kind of wine/chardonnay like finish that I haven't ever tasted on any other beer style. That's the key between it tasting like a kolsch and simply being a blonde ale that is called a kolsch. Too many brewpubs call their blondes "kolsch".

I think you described it well. Kolsch has a very distinctive finish kind of like a chard. Apple and pear but very delicate. A superb summer ale IMHO.
Ron Price

Offline klosterfocke

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #17 on: January 20, 2010, 06:35:57 pm »
IMO 2565 is superior for koelsch. 029 is too "yeasty" for lack of a better word, though a local pro brewer gets great fruit aroma from it at 64 degrees ferm, I can't replicate it at home. I ferment koelsch at 59-60, letting it slow rise to about 66 by the end of fermentation. I get a slight cherry aroma with some peach (from sulfur, I understand) at these temps. Also, one other commercial example that we can get in NC is Sunner, but it's HORRIBLE! Avoid it if possible.....

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2010, 07:58:15 pm »
Could I use WY1007 for Kolsch?
We talk about using it for Alt but would it work for Kolsch?
Na Zdravie

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #19 on: January 21, 2010, 06:09:25 am »
It doesn't have that "kolschy" character we are talking about. Makes a nice beer though, more like a pseudo Helles.

Offline dean

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #20 on: January 21, 2010, 06:33:42 am »
I've only made one Kolsch (so far) and it turned out quite good using WLP029, it even cleared up better than most of the beers I've made.  While it wasn't my favorite, it was the one beer that almost everyone enjoyed.  Listen to Keith on it, its one of his favorite brews so it would be hard to go wrong.  jmo

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2010, 09:01:00 am »
It doesn't have that "kolschy" character we are talking about. Makes a nice beer though, more like a pseudo Helles.
Good to know.
Thank you
Na Zdravie

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Offline skyler

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Re: Help me finish off my Kolsch
« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2010, 01:36:43 pm »
I remember someone on one of the forums (I think NB) considering doing a Kolsch with a touch of Nelson Sauvin in addition to the standard noble hops. Has anyone done this?