Recent content by Catawampus

In!

I'm in.

I'm in.

Austin Homebrew is usually where I've found it. It can be a little difficult sometimes as it can be sold in 500g blocks---I first "discovered" its existence while reading over on probrewer.com, where some pros even use it for their house yeast (more clean, than a liquid Kolsch would be, meaning...

Fermentis also has K-97, which is widely believed to be a dried Kolsch or Altbier strain. I've used a couple of times, and it works fairly well. More like clean Altbier than vinous Kolsch.

Yes, it will have clean lager-"like" qualities. But, not as clean as a lager. Kolsch is know for having a vinous character. The Alt strains will be somewhat cleaner. But, way less of the yeast character you find in typical ale strains. I know that some folks make cream ales with those mixed...

Its an ale yeast, but Kolsch is a beer (along with Alt) that is lagered after primary.

I always lager on primary. Advisable or not, I've had as much as 2.5 gallons worth of headspace. I've yet to have anything go seriously awry.

Can you lager? If so, then the choice seems obvious. If not, I brew a cream ale that I craft-ify a little more with Kolsch yeast. Its 80% two-row, 20% Corn. The same crowd you speak of really likes it. The other suggestions are great too. I'll second Centennial Blonde and Biermuncher's Cream...

I can vouch. I make my blond with Kolsch.

I second FlyDoctor. Lower and longer is where you want to be for Saison.

If using 2 row, then a 60 minute boil is fine. If using Pils, 90 mins will help you with the DMS. I must say, though, that you will lose a considerable bit of the Kolsch-iness by not using Pils. That's where you get the soft, sweet, delicate, grainy character of a Kolsch.

And, I also never really get sulfur.

Hey there. I make keep Kolsch around always, and WLP029 is my house yeast. I begin my ferment at 58 F and let warm up to around 65 F toward the end of fermentation. I have no Diacetyl, attenuation, etc. I lager for 2 weeks to a month on the yeast at 32 F. The beer is very clear when finished. I...

I have set full 6.5 carboys in mine with no problems at all. It'll be fine.