Kolsch or Pilsner?

[pjk49202]

Here is recipe:
9 lbs German Pilsner Malt
0.5 lbs Crystal 10
1 oz Tett@60 min
1 oz Saaz@15 min
WL 029 w/o starter

Mashed @ 152 fo 60 min

90 min boil

2 week 63

2 weeks @ ~45

I haven't had a kolsch in a while but it seems as though the taste of my kolsch is more like a pilsner. Does this seem pausible? I mean I used a Kolsch yeast but when i drink it, it reminds me of a pilsner. This is based off the first pint, but it has really thrown me for a loop that it tastes more like a pilsner but all the ingredients say Kolsch. Any advice or experience w/ this yeast please chim in. Thanks in advacne.:rockin:

 

[goose1873]

a true kolsch doesn't have late hop additions but if you used a kolsch yeast imo its a kolsch...

the imp. thing is...do you like it???

also. a kolsch by nature SHOULD taste like a pilsner.

 

[pjk49202]

Yes, I do like it. I think I may need to get a kolsch type beer and do a comparison. The first pint just really knocked for a loop as to how much it tasted like a pilsner. A really weak pilsner, but a pilsner none the less. The second pint is good too, so I maybe onto something.

 

[BigEd]

Yes, I do like it. I think I may need to get a kolsch type beer and do a comparison. The first pint just really knocked for a loop as to how much it tasted like a pilsner. A really weak pilsner, but a pilsner none the less. The second pint is good too, so I maybe onto something.

Except for the yeast, both beer styles use the same ingredients, pilsner malt and German hops. As was stated earlier Kolsch is less hoppy than a German pils but the flavors in the base of the beer are similar. It is the special character of the yeast as well as the beer's subtle flavors that set a Kolsch apart.

 

[beesy]

I guess you could get into the whole Kolsch/Champagne conversation if you wanted. Anyway, if it's gpod and you like it, who cares. it doesn't have to fit into a category. I think sometimes people get so into trying to brew to category, they stop short of making something they want to drink.

 

[pjj2ba]

When in Cologne last year I was surprised a just how bitter most of the Koslch were. To be sure there was a range. Malz Muehler was the least bitter and more in line with what I was expecting. The rest were more bitter and very pilsner like, except for the clean fruity notes. There were some where you could take a sip and still taste the lingering bitterness 10 min. later. A number were on par in terms of perceived bitterness with the std. mass produced German pils.

 

[pjk49202]

Not to mention the girlfriend liked it so I'm going to say this one is a winner. Seeing as I brewed it for her that's the most important thing. Perhaps next time I won't do the Saaz at the end and see what happens.