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March 25, 2023
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North Urban Brewing Society

North Urban Brewing Society

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Apr 20
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Beer Style: Kölsch

Description: A clean, crisp, delicately-balanced beer usually with a very subtle fruit and hop character. Subdued maltiness throughout leads into a pleasantly well-attenuated and refreshing finish. Freshness makes a huge difference with this beer, as the delicate character can fade quickly with age. Brilliant clarity is characteristic. History: Cologne, Germany (Köln) has a top-fermenting brewing tradition since the Middle Ages, but developed the beer now known as Kölsch in the late 1800s to combat encroaching bottom-fermented pale lagers. Kölsch is an appellation protected by the Kölsch Konvention (1986), and is restricted to the 20 or so breweries in and around Köln. The Konvention simply defines the beer as a “light, highly attenuated, hop-accentuated, clear, top-fermenting Vollbier.” Style Comparison: To the untrained taster, easily mistaken for a cream ale or somewhat subtle Pils.

Profile: Aroma: Low to very low malt aroma, with a grainy-sweet character. A pleasant, subtle fruit aroma from fermentation (apple, cherry or pear) is acceptable, but not always present. A low floral, spicy or herbal hop aroma is optional but not out of style. Some yeast strains may give a slight winy or sulfury character (this characteristic is also optional, but not a fault). Overall, the intensity of aromatics is fairly subtle but generally balanced, clean, and fresh. Appearance: Very pale gold to light gold. Very clear (authentic commercial versions are filtered to a brilliant clarity). Has a delicate white head that may not persist. Flavor: Soft, rounded palate comprised of a delicate flavor balance between soft yet attenuated malt, an almost imperceptible fruity sweetness from fermentation, and a medium-low to medium bitterness with a delicate dryness and slight crispness in the finish (but no harsh aftertaste). The malt tends to be grainy-sweet, possibly with a very light bready or honey quality. The hop flavor is variable, and can range from low to moderately-high; most are medium-low to medium intensity and have a floral, spicy, or herbal character. May have a malty-sweet impression at the start, but this is not required. No noticeable residual sweetness. May have a slightly winy, minerally, or sulfury accent that accentuates the dryness and flavor balance. A slight wheat taste is rare but not a fault. Otherwise, very clean. Mouthfeel: Medium-light to medium body (most are medium-light). Medium to medium-high carbonation. Smooth and generally crisp and well-attenuated. Comments: Characterized in Germany as a top-fermented, lagered beer. Each Köln brewery produces a beer of different character, and each interprets the Kölsch Konvention slightly differently. Allow for a range of variation within the style when judging. Note that drier versions may seem hoppier or more bitter than the IBU specifications might suggest. Due to its delicate flavor profile, Kölsch tends to have a relatively short shelf-life; older examples and imports can easily show some oxidation defects. Served in Köln in a tall, narrow 200ml glass called a Stange.

Ingredients: Traditional German hops (Hallertau, Tettnang, Spalt or Hersbrucker). German Pils or pale malt. Attenuative, clean ale yeast. Up to 20% wheat malt may be used, but this is quite rare in authentic versions. Current commercial practice is to ferment warm, cold condition for a short period of time, and serve young.

Examples: Früh Kölsch, Gaffel Kölsch, Mühlen Kölsch, Reissdorf Kölsch, Sion Kölsch, Sünner Kölsch

Beer of the Quarter

Beer of Q3 2017 – Kölsch

NUBS, brew your best Kölsch and bring to meeting on …

Beer of Q3 2017 – Kölsch Read More

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Good to see everyone. Hope you can make it out nex Good to see everyone. Hope you can make it out next month. #homebrew #drinklocal #craftbeer
Thanks to @brewyards for hosting our holiday party Thanks to @brewyards for hosting our holiday party and giving us a tour. Great space and innovative idea. #drinkLocal #craftbeer
Good to see everyone at @perfect_brewsupply as we Good to see everyone at @perfect_brewsupply as we close out 2022 with our last meeting of the year. #homebrew #drinklocal
#LearnToHomebrewDay is up and #brewing at @perfect #LearnToHomebrewDay is up and #brewing at @perfect_brewsupply … swing by to see the various setups in action …  #drinkLocal
Good to see everyone- thanks for coming out to the Good to see everyone- thanks for coming out to the #homebrew meeting tonight. Lots of great beer and mead being shared.  #craftBeer #drinkLocal
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#mundeleincraftbeerfest - great to be back with yo #mundeleincraftbeerfest - great to be back with you all. @perfect_brewsupply @tightheadbrew
Happy #BigBrew 2022 everyone Happy #BigBrew 2022 everyone
Thanks to @blacklungbrewing for hosting our party Thanks to @blacklungbrewing for hosting our party today. 2020/21 was rough on all of us and was so nice on this beautiful day to get together for some good food and brews and be together. #drinkLocal. Hope to see you all at the next meeting.
So happy to see everyone for another great night o So happy to see everyone for another great night of #homebrew at @perfect_brewsupply - see you all next month.
Welcome back everyone. Great to taste some #homebr Welcome back everyone. Great to taste some #homebrew. #drinklocal #craftbeer  @perfect_brewsupply
Nice new summer brew from @tightheadbrew #bloodOra Nice new summer brew from @tightheadbrew #bloodOrange #westcoastIPA #drinklocal
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