Kölsch way of life.. Cologne diaries!!

Sunday, May 22, 2016

What Feni is to Goa and Toddy is to Kerala.... Kölsch is to Cologne in Germany. When I first heard about it, I thought this would be some kind of a strong alcohol beverage which will need a taste to be developed to enjoy it. But it is the exact opposite.... its damn refreshing from the first sip to the last.

So what is Kölsch - It is a clear, all-barley pale ale with a bright, straw-yellow hue similar to a standard German pale lager.

Kölsch is warm fermented at around 13 to 21 °C (55 to 70 °F), then conditioned by lagering at cold temperatures. This style of fermentation links Kölsch with some other central northern European beers such as the Altbiers of western Germany and the Netherlands.

This is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) product, which means that it can only be brewed within 50kms zone of Cologne. The entire city of Cologne (known as Koln in German) seems to have a distinct Kölsch culture. There are multiple pubs and restaurants by the banks of River Rhine, people just sit by the river and enjoy their drinks. Most of the restaurants here serve Kölsch.

This drink is also served in special glasses, very different from the normal beer glasses or wine glasses. These are 0.2 centiliter rod-shaped glasses and waiters keep refilling them as soon as you empty one. The glasses are known as 'Strange' and the waiters serving Kölsch are known as Köbes.

Open air restaurants, serving Kolsch by the river Rhine

My Perception of Kölsch - Well, I am not a beer connoisseur, nor I have tried lots of different varieties of beers around the world. But I can say that this was by far the best alcoholic drink that I have tasted. The taste is subtle and light drink. The fizz is lesser and if you keep it too long in your glass, then the last sip doesn't taste as good as the first one. Probably that's the reason it is served in small 0.2 centiliter cylindrical glasses. It has a slightly fruity flavor, I will say slightly apple-ish,
slightly bitter after-taste but much less stronger than the regular beer.
The color is clear golden with little fog on the top. Its mild and crisp flavor just melts in the mouth.
Unlike most of the other beers, which are too strong or bitter to enjoy, Kölsch is mid and can be enjoyed by males and females alike. I would rate it as 5/5 .

I think if you ever visit to Germany, then Cologne is a city which must be visited, the culture, the Kölsch, the amazing cathedral.. makes it a very memorable trip.