Kölsch

Kölsch is a clean, crisp, delicate German ale originating in Cologne (Köln), Germany, characterized by subtle fruit and malt notes balanced with a soft, rounded hop bitterness. It's fermented with ale yeast but then cold-conditioned like a lager, creating a hybrid style with a brilliant clarity, straw-to-pale-gold color, and a delicate balance between malt sweetness and hop character. Traditional ingredients include German Pilsner malt, German noble hops, and a specific Kölsch yeast strain that produces subtle fruity esters.