Kolsch question

Mashing
1

Hi,

2 weeks ago brewed my 2nd all grain Kolsch using Wyeast 2565.
This time I fermented it in a chest freezer with temp control at 60F.

The OG = 1.053 a bit high, my efficiency was a bit higher than anticipated.
Now after 2 weeks I’m at 1.008. Tasted it and it is already very nice.

I’m considering 2 options:

  1. cold crash in primary for 1-2 weeks and bottle
  2. rack to secondary and cold crash 1-2 weeks and bottle.

Any suggestions? Does Kolsch need 2 weeks in secondary?

Thanks.
Pete

2

No need to secondary your Kolsch. You can cold crash it if you like for 1-2 weeks in primary. If you are at 1.008 you’re there. Good to check another SG when you keg or bottle.

3

Agree with VD, no need to secondary. But kolsch yeast is notoriously poor at settling, it might take more than 1-2 weeks of cold crash to clear it. 2-3 months of lagering is the traditional method, but a lot of homebrewers use gelatin to speed the process.

4

Agreed, traditionally it is a lager like ale yeast and treated as such. NB has this kit fast tracked to be ready in 4 weeks, with"1-2 weeks cold secondary". Extended time after primary cold crashing or bottle conditioning will likely improve the final product.

5

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I do bottle condition for quite a while 2-4 weeks in the fridge at 40F or so.