Kölsch

Kölsch is an German Ale beer style. Brewers Association category: German-Style Koelsch. It typically presents as straw to gold.

Notes: Traditional examples often display persistent head retention. Small amounts of wheat can be used in brewing beers of this style. Koelschstyle beers are fermented at warmer temperatures than is typical for lagers, but at lower temperatures than most English and Belgian-style ales. They are aged cold. Ale yeast is used for fermentation. Lager yeast is sometimes used for bottle conditioning or final cold conditioning.

ABV: 4.8%-5.3%
IBU: 22-30
COLOR / SRM SCALE: 3-6
OG: 1.042-1.048
FG: 1.006-1.010

Alcohol & Bitterness

ABV:4.8%-5.3%

ABW:3.8%-4.2%

IBU:22-30

Perceived Bitterness:

Medium to medium-high

Color & Appearance

Color:

Straw to gold

SRM:3-6

EBC:6-12

Clarity:

Chill haze should not be present

Gravity & Body

Original Gravity:1.042-1.048

Original Gravity °P:10.5-11.9

Final Gravity:1.006-1.010

Final Gravity °P:1.5-2.6

Body:

Low to medium-low. Dry and crisp.

Flavor Profiles

Malt Profile:

Malt character is very low to low with soft sweetness. Caramel character should not be present.

Hop Profile:

Low and, if present, should express noble hop character.

Fermentation Character:

Fruity esters are absent to low, expressed as pear, apple, or wine-like attributes when present. Diacetyl should not be present.

2026 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association .

No beers have been reviewed in this style.