24 of the Best Kolschs, Blind-Tasted and Ranked

Learn about how we rate & review beers with our BJCP blind panel here


Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale (84)

“A session sour mash-up of a crisp Kölsch, a salty Gose, and a tart Berliner Weisse with black limes, sour lime juice, and sea salt.”

St. Elmo Brewing Company Carl (85)

“A crisp, filtered Kölsch, brewed with all German ingredients.”

Brick West Brewing Company Riverside Kölsch (86)

“A German-style Kölsch hopped with Tettnang and Saaz.”

MadTree Lift (86)

“Whether you’re taking a break from a hard day of work or just a huge day of hops, this crisp refreshing beer with a hint of orange will lift your spirits without lowering your expectations for what a craft beer should be.”

Incendiary Brewing Company Kold IPA (86)

“Brewed with Zeus, Chinook, Comet, Simcoe, and Mosaic; fermented with Kölsch yeast and dry hopped with Comet, Mosaic, and Simcoe.”

Dutchess Ales G.B. Pale Ale (87)

“‘Brewed with a variety of U.S. and U.K. malts and hops and a hybrid yeast. Drinks a bit like a refreshing Kölsch.”

Denver Beer Princess Yum Yum Raspberry Kolsch (88)

“We take a traditional Kölsch and ferment it with real raspberries. The result is a ruby red fruity summer ale that finishes tart and dry and is perfectly thirst quenching on a hot day.”

Dogfish Head Seaquench (88)

“A session sour mash-up of a crisp kölsch, a salty gose, and a tart Berliner weisse brewed in sequence with black limes, sour lime juice...”

Mission Brewery Totally Kölsch! (89)

“Light, honey sweetness, Noble hop flavor. Honeycrisp apple, touch of sulfur.”

Little Brother Brewing User Friendly (89)

“Subtle apple and pear on the nose. Well-rounded finish.”

Boulevard Beer American Kolsch (91)

“Pouring golden in color, this beer has an aroma of bready malt punctuated by a slightly minty hops character. With a light-to-medium mouthfeel, American Kölsch delivers a honey-like malt sweetness that gives way to a crisp clean finish with a touch of lingering citrus/herbal hops flavor.”

Captain Fatty's Cheap Cologne (91)

“Notes of honey, biscuit, lemon, cracked pepper on the nose and palate. Finishes dry with a mild bitterness.”

Dutchess Ales GB Pale Ale (91)

A uniquely balanced and bright pale ale that owes a bit to Dutchess Ales’ West Cost and U.K. roots. Fermented by Duchess Ales’ house hybrid Kölsch yeast.

Left Hand Travelin' Light Kölsch (92)

“Kölsch-style ale. Golden, crisp, dry, and refreshing with herbal hops.”

Barn Town Brewing Co. Kölsch (92)

“Light, drinkable, delicately balanced beer with aromas of grain and subtle fruit.”

Roadmap Brewing Co Tie Dye (95)

"This classic German style is light and refreshing. Perfect for combating the summer heat."

Prost Brewing Kölsch (96)

“Ale or lager? How about the best of both worlds? Complex yet delicate, our Kölsch has a muted touch of fruit and an elegant, dry finish. The result: the most refreshing beer you could imagine. Prost!”

Exhibit 'A' Goody Two Shoes (97)

“This is our authentic tribute to a city, a people, and a beer. It is, in many ways, the soul of our brewery. Crisp and clean, with light flavors of lemon, white flour, and fresh baked crackers lead into a dry finish.”

Twin Barns Brewing Company Einer Noch (98)

“Traditional Kölsch-style ale brewed with Cologne malt, Tettnanger hops.”

Halfway Crooks Beer Farina (99)

“Top-fermenting lager brewed with German pilsner malt, hops sourced directly from Seitzfarm in Bavaria, a classic Kölsch yeast, Atlanta water.”