Colorado Kitchen Brew

I've read more than a few times online that SMaSH (Single Malt, Single Hop) beers are boring. They're more of an experiment that helps the brewer get to know certain grains and hops than they are great beers. How could a beer made with a single grain and hop possibly be interesting? More ingredients equals more excitement, right? I'm pleased to report that less really can be more. My SMaSH Kölsch proves it (not that I'm biased or anything). Bready malt, light floral bitterness and a touch of white wine sum things up nicely. This beer isn't in your face. Instead, it's delicate and therefore leaves imperfections no place to hide. Clarity is excellent. I promise that the haze in the picture is sweat on the glass due to the recent spate of rainy weather. A soapy white cap has good staying power and leaves some lace behind. The nose is dominated by cut flowers and pale fruits, plus a hint of fresh cut grass. That theme flows nicely into the flavor. Fresh b...

I liked my original Kölsch so much that I decided to take a shot at a more traditional version. I went SMaSH (Single Malt, Single Hop) style this time around and brewed a 2.5 gallon batch using just Kölsch Malt and German Smaragd hops. Here's the recipe rounded up for 5 gallons: Grains: 8 lbs GlobalMalt Kölsch Malt Hops: 1 oz Smaragd (4.4% a.a.): 60 min 1 oz Smaragd (4.4% a.a.): 5 min Total Boil Time: 90 min Yeast: Wyeast 2565 - Kölsch Mash Schedule: Protein Rest: 122F for 20 min Saccharification Rest: 149F for 60min Mashout: 168F for 15 min Original Gravity: 1.046 Estimated Final Gravity: 1.008 IBU: 22 SRM Color: 7 Fermentation Schedule: 2 Weeks Primary 2 Weeks Secondary 4 Weeks Cold Bottle Conditioning Cost: $14 per case Commercial Equivalent: Twisted Pine Blonde Ale : $32 Savings: $18