Clean, Crisp German-Style Kölsch
Brew a refreshing German-style Kölsch with a very pale colour, light body, subtle fruit character and a clean, easy-drinking finish.
Brick Road Kolsch combines pale malt and wheat malt with a European ale yeast to produce a delicate beer that sits between a traditional ale and lager. It can be enjoyed without additional hops or lightly dry hopped with noble varieties for a subtle floral and spicy aroma.
The 1.5kg hopped malt extract kit makes approximately 23 litres of finished beer, with recipe options ranging from approximately 2.6% to 4.8% ABV.
Why You'll Love It
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Clean and refreshing German-style beer
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Very pale straw colour
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Light body with subtle fruit character
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Balanced low-to-medium bitterness
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European ale yeast included
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Full-strength, mid-strength and lower-alcohol recipe options
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Optional noble hop additions
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Makes approximately 23 litres
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Easy malt extract brewing method
Beer Profile
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Beer style: German-style Kölsch
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Colour: Pale straw
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Colour rating: Approximately 5 EBC
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Bitterness: Low to medium
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Bitterness rating: Approximately 17 IBU
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Malt: Pale malt and wheat malt
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Original gravity: Approximately 1.038
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Final gravity: Approximately 1.008
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Yeast: European ale yeast
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Batch size: Approximately 23 litres
These figures are based on a 23-litre batch brewed with 1kg of dextrose or brewing sugar.
What's Included?
Each Brick Road Kolsch kit contains:
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1.5kg of hopped malt extract
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European ale yeast under the lid
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Brewing and recipe instructions
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Full-strength, mid-strength and lower-alcohol recipe options
Additional fermentables and optional hops are sold separately.
What Else Will I Need?
The standard 23-litre recipe requires:
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1kg of dextrose or brewing sugar
The fermentables and final volume can be adjusted using the recipe options printed on the can to produce a beer between approximately 2.6% and 4.8% ABV.
Recommended Hop Additions
Additional hops are optional. For a subtle floral, herbal and spicy aroma, dry hop with approximately 10–30g of noble or noble-style hops.
Suitable varieties include:
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Tettnanger
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Hallertau
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Saaz
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Motueka
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Wakatu
Keep the hop addition restrained to preserve the delicate malt and fermentation character expected from a Kölsch-style beer.
How to Brew
Clean and sanitise your fermenter and all equipment that will contact the beer.
Warm the unopened can in hot water to soften the malt extract. Add the contents to your sanitised fermenter with your selected fermentables and approximately 2 litres of hot water.
Mix thoroughly, then top up with cool water to your selected batch volume. Once the wort has reached a suitable fermentation temperature, add the included European ale yeast.
Ferment until the specific gravity remains stable for several days. Add any optional dry hops toward the end of fermentation, then bottle or keg the finished beer.
Allow the beer time to condition before serving. A period of cold conditioning can help develop a cleaner flavour and clearer appearance.
Always follow the complete brewing instructions supplied with the kit.
How Much Beer Does the Kit Make?
Brick Road Kolsch is designed to make approximately 23 litres of finished beer.
The final alcohol level will depend on the fermentables used and the finished batch volume.
How Strong Is Brick Road Kolsch?
The recipe options allow the beer to be brewed from approximately 2.6% to 4.8% ABV.
This gives you the flexibility to produce a lower-alcohol, mid-strength or full-strength Kölsch-style beer.
Does the Kit Include Yeast?
Yes. A suitable European ale yeast is included under the lid.
Alternative yeast options include Fermentis SafAle K-97 for a traditional German ale fermentation or LalBrew NovaLager for a particularly clean finished beer.
What Does Brick Road Kolsch Taste Like?
Brick Road Kolsch produces a light-bodied and highly refreshing beer with delicate malt flavour, subtle fruitiness and balanced bitterness.
Optional noble hops can add restrained floral, herbal and spicy aromas without overpowering the beer’s clean character.
Does Brick Road Kolsch Need Extra Hops?
No. The malt extract is already hopped and can be brewed without an additional hop addition.
Dry hopping with 10–30g of Tettnanger, Hallertau, Saaz, Motueka or Wakatu is optional if you would like a little more hop aroma.
What Is the Difference Between Kölsch and Lager?
Kölsch is traditionally fermented with ale yeast but is known for its clean, crisp and lager-like drinking character.
This makes it a good choice for brewers who enjoy pale lagers but want to use an ale fermentation method.
Should the Finished Beer Be Cold Conditioned?
Cold conditioning is not essential, but it can help improve clarity and produce a cleaner, smoother flavour.
Once fermentation is complete, chill the beer before packaging if your brewing equipment allows it. Additional conditioning time in bottles or a keg will also improve the finished result.
Is This Beer Kit Suitable for Beginners?
Yes. Brick Road Kolsch uses a straightforward malt extract brewing process and includes the required yeast and brewing instructions.
The standard dextrose recipe is suitable for new brewers, while experienced brewers can customise the beer with malt extract, noble hops or an alternative yeast.
Why Buy from Border Brewing Supplies?
Border Brewing Supplies stocks Brick Road beer kits, brewing sugar, malt extract, hops, yeast and equipment for home brewers throughout Tweed Heads, the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Brisbane and the wider Queensland–New South Wales border region.
Shop online for Australia-wide delivery or select Click & Collect from our Tweed Heads South home brew shop.
Recommended Products
For the best brewing results, consider adding:
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Dextrose brewing sugar
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Extra-light dried malt extract
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Tettnanger, Hallertau or Saaz hops
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Fermentis SafAle K-97
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StellarSan no-rinse sanitiser
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Carbonation drops
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Beer bottles or kegging equipment
