History
Kölsch is protected by the EU as a geographical indication. In March 1986, 24 Cologne-area breweries signed the Kölsch Konvention, and the beer may be brewed only in Cologne, apart from Zunft Kölsch in Wiehl and Bischoff in Brühl, which brewed it before the Konvention. The name Kölsch dates from 1918, for the beer Sünner had brewed since 1906. Cologne's brewers' association counted 1.7 million hectolitres of Kölsch sold in 2024.
Book a food experience
Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Common allergens: Gluten
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4.5kg German Pilsner malt
- 300g Munich malt
- 200g Vienna malt
- 20g Hallertau Hersbrucker hops at 60 min boil
- 20g Tettnanger hops at 15 min boil
- Wyeast 2565 Kölsch yeast or White Labs WLP029
- 20L brewing water adjusted to soft profile (low calcium, low sulphate)
- Priming sugar for bottle conditioning (around 4g/L)
Method
- Mash the malts at 65C for 60 minutes in 14L of brewing water. Sparge with 76C water to collect roughly 24L of wort.
- Boil the wort 60 minutes. Add the Hersbrucker hops at the start of the boil and the Tettnanger at 15 minutes from the end.
- Cool the wort rapidly to 16C, transfer to a sanitised fermenter, and pitch the Kölsch yeast.
- Ferment at 14 to 16C for 10 to 14 days. This is the Kölsch signature: ale yeast at lager temperatures.
- Once primary fermentation is complete (gravity stable for 3 days), cold-condition (lagern) at 1 to 3C for 4 weeks. This is non-negotiable for Kölsch clarity.
- Bottle with priming sugar at 4g/L for 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature, then refrigerate.
- Serve at 7C in tall 0.2L Stange glasses; pour from a height to build a tight head.
Tip from the editors. Kölsch brewed outside Cologne is Kölsch-style ale, apart from the two pre-1986 exceptions. The cold lagering step is what gives the clarity.
Where to eat kölsch
Kölsch in Cologne
Brauerei Päffgen ★ 4.0
Päffgen at Friesenstraße 64-66 is the last house brewery in Köln, brewing at the Klapperhof and pouring its Kölsch across the street only from the barrel.
Brauerei zur Malzmühle ★ 4.3
Brauerei zur Malzmühle at Heumarkt 6 is a historic brewhouse in the Altstadt, a favourite meeting place for Kölsch tradition, brewing since 1858.
TipThe brewery also runs the Hotel zur Malzmühle, with its own tap in the room and barrel-style beds.
Früh am Dom ★ 4.1
Früh am Dom at Am Hof 12-18 offers typical Cologne hospitality directly opposite Cologne Cathedral, with guests enjoying the genuine atmosphere since 1904.
TipThe ground-floor Brauhaus is the heart of the house, rustic and cosy as a Cologne pub should be.
More cities are in research. Want kölsch covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.