Kölsch

Kölsch

Kölsch-style Ale

Based on the traditional style of Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne, Germany.

Flavor

Alaskan Kölsch Ale balances a softly malted palate with the clean freshness of hops. In the tradition of the style, neither overpowers the other. Both hops and malt come together to refresh and renew the palate. The straw-gold color and easy drinkability are an enjoyable way to celebrate summer.

Ingredients

Alaskan Kölsch Ale is made from glacier-fed water and a generous blend of European and Pacific Northwest hop varieties and premium two-row and specialty malts. Our water originates in the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Ice Field and from the more than 90 inches of rainfall Juneau receives each year.

Specifications

  • Original Gravity: 1.048
  • ABV: 5.3%
  • Bitterness: 18 IBU
  • Color: 8 SRM

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History

Alaskan Kölsch Ale began as part of our Rough Draft Series of experimental brews. This beer has been recognized as a top American example of the Kölsch style since its first release as our bottled summer seasonal in 2002, receiving medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, and a host of other international competitions.

Awards

Recent

2012

  • West Coast Brew Fest—Silver: Mixed
  • Los Angeles County Fair—Gold: Golden or Blonde Ale
  • Denver International Beer Festival—Gold: Kölsch

2011  

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Gold: Golden or Blonde Ale
  • Denver International Beer Festival—Gold: Light Lagers/Ales
  • Australian International Beer Awards—Bronze: German-Style Kölsch

2010

  • US Open Beer Championship—Gold: Bitter
  • Los Angeles County Fair—Gold: Golden or Blonde Ale
  • West Coast Brew Fest—Third: Mixed

Past

2009

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Silver: German-style Kölsch
  • North American Beer Awards—Silver: German-style Kölsch
  • West Coast Brew Fest—Gold: Kölsch-style Ale
  • Australian International Beer Awards—Bronze: German-style Kölsch

2008

  • Great American Beer Festival—Silver: Golden or Blonde Ale
  • Colorado State Fair—Silver: Kölsch
  • West Coast Brew Fest—First: Mixed
  • World Beer Cup—Gold: Golden or Blonde Ale

2007

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Bronze: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch

2006

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Silver: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch
  • California Brewers Festival—Second: Light Ales

2005

  • North American Beer Awards—Gold: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch
  • Los Angeles County Fair—Silver: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch

2004

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Silver: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch

2003

  • Los Angeles County Fair—Gold: German-style Kölsch/Köln-style Kölsch

 

The Story Behind the Label

The icy cold Pacific waters that surround Southeast Alaska are teeming with life, and at the top of that food chain is the orca. Armed with three-inch long cone-shaped interlocking teeth, these 10-ton, 30-foot behemoths are killing machines that can reach speeds of 40 mph in search of salmon, seals, octopus, and even humpback whales. But their most amazing attribute is their intelligence, enabling them to hunt in coordinated packs and maintain their highly social community structure. Despite the ferocious nature of this apex predator, orcas show only curiosity towards humans, and seeing a breaching orca is a highlight of any trip on the water in Alaska.