The Best Places To Buy Kolsch Beer

Kolsch beer is a German beer known for its crisp, delicate, and refreshing taste. It is a hybrid that combines the qualities of both ale beers and lagers. While it traditionally derives from the city of Köln in Germany, its popularity has led to its worldwide brewing and consumption. Those interested in purchasing Kolsch beer can explore various options, including online retailers such as Drizly, Total Wine & More, Almanac Beer Co., Half Time Beverage, and GotoLiquorStore. These websites offer convenient purchasing and delivery services, making it accessible for beer enthusiasts to enjoy this unique German beverage.

Online beer retailers

There are several online beer retailers where you can buy Kölsch beer.

Drizly

Drizly is an online alcohol retailer that delivers beer, wine, and spirits directly to your door. They offer a range of Kölsch beers, including the popular Gaffel brand. You can check if Drizly is available in your town by signing in or creating an account on their website.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers a wide selection of Kölsch beers, including German-style and American-style varieties. They provide detailed descriptions of each product, highlighting the unique characteristics, taste profiles, and ABV percentages. Total Wine & More also offers customer reviews to help you make an informed choice.

Half Time Beverage

Half Time Beverage is an online beer, wine, and spirits retailer. They stock the renowned Gaffel Kölsch, known for its crisp, hoppy finish. Half Time Beverage provides a rewards club for loyal customers, offering benefits such as flat-rate shipping on select items.

Best Day Brewing

Best Day Brewing offers a unique take on the traditional Kölsch beer by providing a non-alcoholic option. Their Kölsch is light, crisp, and easy drinking, with a toasty malt character. Best Day Brewing provides free shipping for orders over $50, making it a convenient choice for those looking to stock up.

In-store at liquor stores

If you're looking to buy Kölsch beer in person, you can try visiting a liquor store near you. In the US, for example, Total Wine & More offers a range of Kölsch beers, including the Reissdorf Kölsch, Gaffel Kölsch, Fruh Kölsch, and Jekyll Big Creek Kölsch. You can check the availability of these beers on their website or by visiting the store.

Drizly is another option for in-store purchases of Kölsch beer. You can find out if Drizly is available in your town by visiting their website and entering your location details. They offer a convenient way to find and purchase liquor, with delivery available in under 60 minutes in some areas.

Additionally, you may be able to find Kölsch beer at your local liquor store by checking with the staff or looking for German beer sections, as Kölsch originates from Köln, Germany. It has gained popularity worldwide, so it may be stocked at liquor stores that carry a variety of craft beers or international options.

When purchasing Kölsch beer in-store, it's important to keep in mind that the availability may vary by location and that some stores might have different selections. It's always a good idea to call ahead or check the website of the specific liquor store you plan to visit to ensure they have Kölsch beer in stock.

US state availability

Kolsch beer is widely available in the United States, with several American craft brewers producing their own interpretations of the Kolsch style. While traditional Kolsch beer is geographically protected in the European Union and can only be brewed within 50 km of Cologne, Germany, American craft brewers have embraced the Kolsch style and created their own unique versions.

Oregon

Oregon offers a unique take on Kolsch beer, with a 5.0% ABV brew that pours a beautiful copper color. This Kolsch is crafted with traditional Rogue Farms ingredients, including Hopyard and Wild Flower Honey, resulting in a sweet and aromatic summer treat.

California

California is home to several Kolsch beers, including the Devil's Canyon Beer Kitty Kolsch and the Dokkaebier Rice Kolsch. These beers offer a light and effervescent drinking experience, with fresh aromas and a gently hopped, dry finish. The state also boasts a German-style Kolsch with a 5.0% ABV, known for its crisp, light, and easy-drinking nature.

Texas

Texas showcases a variety of Kolsch beers, such as the Wild Texas Kolsch, which donates a portion of its proceeds to the Hill Country Conservancy. This Kolsch features hints of lemon zest and subtle German hops. Additionally, Texas offers a traditional Cologne-style Kolsch with a 4.8% ABV, known for its crisp, clean, and refreshing taste.

Colorado

Colorado presents a Kolsch beer that combines the best of both ale and lager worlds. With a 4.8% ABV, this brew offers a complex yet delicate flavor profile, including a muted touch of fruit and an elegant dry finish.

South Carolina

South Carolina's Kolsch beers take inspiration from the classic, clean, and refreshing style of Kolsch from Koln, Germany. This golden-colored brew boasts an earthy, grassy aroma with notes of light fruit, straw, and biscuit malt. It offers a well-balanced drinking experience.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to the Devil's Purse Handline Kolsch, a German-style Kolsch from South Dennis with notes of lemon. This 5.0% ABV brew is crisp, sweet, and perfect for enjoying on a sunny day.

North Carolina

North Carolina offers the 3 Bones Kolsch, a smooth and easy-drinking blonde ale with a 5.2% ABV. Brewed with high-quality barley and hops, it's a favorite among pirates and those who enjoy a well-rounded beer.

Missouri

Missouri's Kolsch beer is a classic golden ale that uses a centuries-old yeast strain from a renowned Kolsch brewer in Koln, Germany. With a 4.8% ABV, it pours a bright straw color, offering a crisp, grainy, and floral drinking experience.

Georgia

Georgia, specifically Kennesaw, offers a range of Kolsch beers, including the Reissdorf Kolsch, Gaffel Kolsch, and Jekyll Big Creek Kolsch. These beers can be found at various Total Wine & More stores in the state.

German availability

In Germany, it is common for a region or city to specialise in a specific type of beer, with local people taking pride in their local beer. This is particularly true of Cologne and its Kolsch beer. In and around the city, Kolsch is ubiquitous. Walk into any bar or 'brauhaus' and you will find it on tap. Locals will drink almost no other kind of beer, so if you are visiting, trying some Kolsch is a must.

Kolsch is a clear, light, and crisp lager that is warm-fermented with top-fermenting yeast, then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. It is a quintessential German beer. Kolsch is also unique in that it is the only beer in Germany to have a special protected geographical status, similar to that of Bourbon from Kentucky or Champagne in France. By law, only breweries within 30 miles of the city are permitted to market their beer as Kolsch.

In Cologne, Kolsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a 'Stange' ('pole' or 'rod'). The server, called a 'Kobes', carries eleven or twelve Stangen in a 'Kranz', a circular tray resembling a crown or wreath. The Kobes will replace an empty Stange with a full one without waiting for the drinker to order a refill, marking a tick on the coaster under the glass to keep track of how many beers a customer has consumed. When the drinker doesn't want another refill, they place the coaster on top of the empty Stange and pay for the number of beers marked on the coaster.

If you're looking for a place to start exploring the world of Kolsch beer, try the Reissdorf Kolsch from the renowned Heinrich Reissdorf Brewery in the heart of Cologne. Their signature brew is crafted in the traditional style and is one of the bestselling Kolsch beers in the world. Also consider the Gaffel Brewery, which has been brewing exceptional beer since 1908. Their classic Kolsch is a standout in their lineup.

Non-alcoholic options

If you're looking for non-alcoholic options for Kolsch beer, there are a few options to consider. Best Day Brewing offers a non-alcoholic Kolsch-style ale that is easy-drinking, approachable, and low-calorie. It is brewed with a combination of Cologne and Pilsner malts and Hallertau Traditional hops, creating a refreshingly complex and authentic taste. The sturdy caramel malt flavor is balanced by citrusy hops, leaving a bright and crisp finish. Best Day Brewing also offers other non-alcoholic beers, such as their Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA.

Another option is Half Time Beverage, which offers a non-alcoholic Kolsch beer as part of their online store. This beer is also described as easy-drinking, approachable, and low-calorie, with a combination of Cologne and Pilsner malts and hops creating a complex and authentic flavor.

NA Beer Club also offers a non-alcoholic beer-of-the-month subscription package that includes a variety of non-alcoholic beers, which could be a great way to discover new non-alcoholic Kolsch options.

Frequently asked questions