Beer Tasting: Früh Kölsch
A few weeks ago I saw a new beer at Costco: Früh Kölsch. Costco isn't a great place to go looking for new beers as they stock a narrow selection dominated by big brands. Narrow selection is part of their business model. Occasionally, though, they have something off the wall that probably they got a good price on. For example, last summer I found Erdinger Weißbier at Costco. Costco had it at a good price so I gave it a try; I liked it! I did the same recently with Früh Kölsch.
I've never heard of Früh before this. A glance at the fine print on the label gives me a hint why.... Früh has been brewing in Germany since 1904. 1904... 119 years... that's a new brewery by German standards! 😅 But you can tell it's German because there's an umlaut in the name- two umlauts, in fact! 😂
Kölsch isn't one of my favorite types of beer overall. I mean, it's okay. But many Kölsch beers lean too heavily into fruity flavors. I was pleasantly surprised to find Früh Kölsch has a crisp, clean taste. I genuinely like it.
Another interesting thing about this beer vs. others of the type is that it stands up well to food. Früh Kölsch, like most of the type, has a light enough body that it drinks well on its own. But it also has just enough structure to remain enjoyable as an accompaniment to rich food.
I love that this beer is so flexible. It's great on it's own, it's fine with food; I could make it a regular beer in my pantry. Alas, when I shopped at Costco again today, 3 weeks after my last visit, it's completely gone. There isn't even a spot on the shelf where it used to be. That's part of Costco's business model, too. I don't know if I'll ever see it again at a cheap price.
I've never heard of Früh before this. A glance at the fine print on the label gives me a hint why.... Früh has been brewing in Germany since 1904. 1904... 119 years... that's a new brewery by German standards! 😅 But you can tell it's German because there's an umlaut in the name- two umlauts, in fact! 😂
Kölsch isn't one of my favorite types of beer overall. I mean, it's okay. But many Kölsch beers lean too heavily into fruity flavors. I was pleasantly surprised to find Früh Kölsch has a crisp, clean taste. I genuinely like it.
Another interesting thing about this beer vs. others of the type is that it stands up well to food. Früh Kölsch, like most of the type, has a light enough body that it drinks well on its own. But it also has just enough structure to remain enjoyable as an accompaniment to rich food.
I love that this beer is so flexible. It's great on it's own, it's fine with food; I could make it a regular beer in my pantry. Alas, when I shopped at Costco again today, 3 weeks after my last visit, it's completely gone. There isn't even a spot on the shelf where it used to be. That's part of Costco's business model, too. I don't know if I'll ever see it again at a cheap price.