Früh Kölsch

Like altbier in Dusseldorf, kolsch is a special style of beer unique to Cologne, and different than most German beers in the fact that it is an ale, not a lager, though it is cold conditioned like a lager. Kolsch is a very delicate, golden ale, with light aromas and flavors of hops, crisp pale malt, and "jammy" fruit. It is a style that has been copied here in the United States by a number of brewpub/breweries, but one that is rarely done right. Precious few drops of real kolsch make it to the US market, as this beer is so delicate, and does not travel well. The most available exported version of kolsch to be found in the US is Reissdorf Kolsch, and I have also seen and enjoyed Gaffel Kolsch. Gaffel is a better example of the two available, but to really understand what kolsch is all about, a trip to Cologne is in order. Again, like in Dusseldorf, the beer drinking traditions and culture of Cologne is alive and well. Cologne also have Kobes or waiters who will continue to pour you 0.25L glass after glass of kolsch poured by gravity vom fass. As you might already know from my reviews of altbier, that means it is coming from a freshly tapped wooden or metal barrel. The Kobes here wear white or blue jackets and aprons, and they are as impressive as the blue clad waiters of Dusseldorf. There is in fact a great rivalry that exists between these two cities when it comes to their local specialty beers. I’m happy to enjoy both, and kolsch is a beer you will want to try. The glasses they pour kolsh in are interesting, they are long tube shaped glasses, that the Kobes serve from a tray that has cylinders like that of a revolver. It really is a site to see these guy serving up fresh, delicious kolsch, and it will amaze you how many glasses you will go through in a blink of an eye. Like in Dusseldorf, the Kobes will continue to tick off the number of beers you drink with a pencil on your coaster, and you might get a little shock when the bill comes. You will find literally dozens of places serving up kolsch, and Fruh is a bench mark example of the style. This beer has a wonderful balance of hop aroma, paired with nice pale malt and fruit character, and a nice dry finish. Fruh Kolsch pours to a beautiful, bright, pale golden color with a tall white head, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is wonderful with pleasing aromas of light peppery and herbal hop aromas. This leads into a delicate malt palate with good pale malt flavor paired with light flavors of pear. Fruh Kolsch finishes with a slight herbal hop bitterness that rounds this beer out to perfection. Many beer geeks just don’t get kolsch as a style. They find it too light and too delicate. The simplicity and delicate nature of this beer really is its soul. It is so fresh tasting and so, so drinkable, you literally inhale this beer, and you will be happy to have the Kobes fill your never ending glass of beer.

Früh is the most popular. It’s not as good as Gaffel, in my opinion. Seems to be a bit more "soft" than the others.

Drank on an airplane at 8 in the morning. It’s name means early, and with no head and a light aroma, it was the perfect start to a long day of travel.

Me, a friend, two pretty German girls and fresh Fruh Kolsh...sitting in Koln. It doesn’t get much better. This is a great beer fresh, I’ve never had it any other way.

Me, a friend, two pretty German girls and fresh Fruh Kolsh...sitting in Koln. It doesn’t get much better. This is a great beer fresh, I’ve never had it any other way.