Best Day Brewing gets it right again.

Their non-alcoholic Kölsch is faithful to the classic German style, while also being just a refreshing, crisp, easy-drinking non-alcoholic beer that will please a wide spectrum of people.

Kölsch’s in general occupy a middle ground between ales and lager, both in their production (brew temperatures, yeast types, etc.) as well as the flavors and characteristics we typically associate with each of those categories. Much like capital-c Champagne must be produced in France under a certain set of regulations, “true” Kölsch must be produced within 50km of Cologne, Germany, within a strict set of parameters. The result is a crisp, dry, lightly fruity ale that drinks easy; leaning more towards pilsners and other pale lagers rather than common pale ales.

In classic American tradition, breweries in the States are free to defy European conventions and brew whatever the hell they’d like with “Kolsch” on the label, but I’ve found the style is niche enough that craft brewers still typically care enough to give it an honest attempt. 

Best Day Brewing decided to step slightly out of the box to make the everyday, easy-drinker in their core-3 lineup a Kölsch instead of the more usual lager or golden ale (see: Athletic, etc.). Given how successful their execution is, being able to appeal to such a broad base of beer drinkers, other brewers should probably take notice and add a Kölsch to their NA lineups.

How Does Best Day’s Kölsch Taste?

Best Day’s Kölsch breathes a fresh, bready bouquet out of the can, with lighter stone fruit and floral notes standing behind. The body stands strong without overpowering, carrying bready notes underneath refreshing wisps of grapefruit. “Refreshing” continues to be the name of the game on the finish, as the beer comes to a crisp close with light bitterness.

Get a Real Stange Glass for Your Kölsch

Is Best Day Brewing’s Kölsch Any Good?

This is a solid expression of the Kölsch style, and a tasty beer that should please all but the most particular beer drinkers. If you only drink the darkest of stouts, porters, and black tar lagers, then this can’t help you. However, if you enjoy any other type of beer – pale lagers, pale ales, IPAs, sours, golden ales, witbiers, amber ales, etc. – you’re probably going to enjoy this to some degree. It’s crisp, it’s refreshing, it has some fruit, it has some bread, it works well with food. Buy a few sixers, have some friends over. Enjoy.

Food Pairings

Pair this with some fish tacos and a splash of lime, or any other light summer fare.