I have lived in Cologne for a while, and if there is one thing that Cologne is known for, it’s the iconic Kölsch-style beer. Most beers are either ales, which result from top-fermenting yeast and being conditioned at warmer temperatures, or lagers, which typically use bottom-fermenting yeast and are conditioned at cooler temperatures. Kölsch is peculiar in that it’s brewed and fermented with warm, ale-style yeast but then conditioned at cooler temperatures.

I honestly never quite liked Kölsch beer, but you get used to it after a while, especially if it’s the only beer available in the majority of bars.

Regardless, I decided to go around and try all the Kölsch beers with some friends over the span of a few days. I then discovered that there are way more Kölsch breweries than I had initially anticipated: at least 27! Continue reading →