Kölsch Style - Einfach Wunder - Tim's Recipe

Einfach Wunder -  Kölsch Style

The appearance is like a Pilsner: pale straw-coloured and clear. The taste is delicate and refreshing, less bitter than a Pilsner, gently fruitier and a little sweeter, often with a delightful biscuityness. A pale barley malt is used, sometimes with wheat added. The result is a refreshing cool beer (served at about 8°C), ideal for summer afternoons or perhaps with white fish. Many people would mistake it for a lager. (Source: http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/kolsch.html)

I've done several Kolsch style beers over this year and the results of my beers have all be great beers. I've also paid close attention to Kolsch beers at the bars. Based on my results below is what I would consider my go-to recipe for the perfect Kolsch.  All red text are potential alterations.

Malts

8 lbs German Pilsner Malt (depending on your quality, you might use 7 to 9 lbs)
0.5 lbs German Munich Malt.

7 lbs - lite body and flavour ~4%

8 lbs - medium body and flavour ~ 4.8% <--- Recommended

9 lbs - full body and flavour. ~ 6.5%

If you like wheat beers you may wish to add 0.5 lbs of White Wheat malt.

Mash

150F 60 mins

If you want a darker maltier beer then:  156F 20 mins after the above mash

If you want to simplify the mash you can mash at 152F for 60 mins. This will delivery similar results however you will a bit less flavour and a bit less ABV.

Sparge to make 7 gallons @ 170F

The Boil

1.0 oz Tettnanger hops 4.3%, 60 minutes
1.0 oz German Spalt hops 4.3%, 30 minutes

If you are unable to get Spalt hops then choose any low alpha noble hop. Hallertau and Tettnanger are great alternatives

Fermentation

WLP 0029 Kolsch Yeast or other brand of Kolsch yeast

Ferment for 2 weeks at 64F (±3)

Dry hop with Crystal hops for 3 days @ 68F (±3) if you want more nose to your beer

Condition for 3-6 weeks @ 48F

If you are unable to use a Kolsch yeast then you are not making a Kolsch any longer. Yeast to me is the single most important ingredient in this recipe. I've done this beer with an English Ale yeast but the flavour was much milder and took longer laugering to bring some of the Kolsch falvours to the front.

ABV target 5%

If you want more ABV up the Kolsch base malt to 9lb which will give you about 6%. More grain will change the style of the beer.