Schreckenskammer Kölsch

Vom fass @ Brauhaus Schreckenskammer, Köln, Germany.
A windy, rain-drenched night mid-Summer, a short walk from our hotel and an unexpected dark haunt from the outside, lively, bustling and raucous inside - our visit here was the best of all the brewhouses I had since visited in Germany. Sat with some Luftwaffe technicians who provided us with many laughs and endless chin-wagging, and consumed my fair share of the oak barrel’s load behind the bar. This appears still, a little flicker of bubbles release here and there. The body a honeyish pale gold. Head held out; nice, dense, messy pad of white that laced well down the Stange. Grainy, haystack, fresh cut pears, a little honey and some ripe, fresh hops on the nose, lightly bitter, clean and welcoming. Pleasingly spicy and sweet in the mouth, balanced to perfection and generous in flavour. Palest malts, evident woodiness, ripe fruits (guava, pear, honeydew, etc.), a little apple plays in as does some cracked pepper and grassy, floral hops. Finish is bitter/sweet, smooth like the palate and oh so refreshing. It lingers long, all juicy and ripe, quenching from start to finish. Each Stange emptied with a new one prompt to replace. This was easily the best Kölsch in Köln, which should make it the best on Earth. A lovely brewpub, a lovely drop. Prost!!!

(Draught 20 cl from a wooden keg, at Zur Schreckenskammer, Köln) Clear light golden color, white head. Fresh scent with a bit of hops. Fresh taste with a bite to it. Malty, hoppy and bitter in a good mix. Very nice bitterness. Full body. Excellent Kölsch! The best one I’ve had in Köln so far (though I did try a few more after this, one of which is compeating for the best)

The best Kolsch in Koln, hands down. Had this a number of times during my visit, along with the Schweineschnitzel mit Pfeffersaus, which was by far the best meal of my entire trip. This Kolsch has a firm, proper white head, tall and flufffy. Nose is composed of light yeast, creame and vanilla scents. Flavor is creamy, with a crisp bite and a crisp yeast flavor, along with some light lemon citrus. Very good, very nice dryness in the finish. Easily the best Kolsch in town. I’m a bit surprised that this is the first rating in over 18 months. If you are going to Koln, make this place one of your stops.

Photograph of Glass:
http://www.youforgotpoland.org/beer/SchreckKolsch.jpg

Slow-witted carbonation manages to feed a generous white cover atop the clear golden pour. Fruity, herbal, rather hoppy nose with excellently extracted grains, not assaulting and taking all the room, but feeling fresh and grainy. A hint of acidity manages to increase drinkability pretty much beyond belief. A different example, quite drier than most others and frankly more charming, these hops fit and it drinks every bit as easily. Superb interpretation from a place that looked different even from the outside.

Bottle, thanks to DerDoppelbock (Sebastian) for trading.
Sparkling, clear body. White, creamy head. Fully diminishing head. Aroma: little bit soapy but overall quite complex with some fruitiness. Moderately bitter flavour with a tinny little bit saltiness. Quite ok.