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Simple Things German Ale

Simple Things Fermentations
United Kingdom·Kölsch
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The brewery's take on Kölsch, released under the name German Ale. Pilsner malt and a restrained hop charge form the base; a yeast strain from the Cologne region is fermented warm to bring out fruity esters. Grainy, honeyed malt sweetness sits against low bitterness and a note of freshly mown grass. What sets it apart are muted hints of fruit chews, sweet white wine and rhubarb from the yeast. Light, delicately balanced and easy to drink, with carbonation from natural refermentation.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter24 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Bronze · 2022
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Bottle & Can Lager
★Bronze — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Bottle & Can Lager)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitymaltygrassy
fruity
malty
grassy
honey
yeasty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with soft, grainy Pilsner malt sweetness underscored by gentle honeyed notes.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Simple Things German Ale

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright, lively carbonation. The head is fine and persistent, laying down delicate lacing with each sip. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, typical of the Kölsch tradition.

pale goldenbright clarityfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with soft, grainy Pilsner malt sweetness underscored by gentle honeyed notes. A restrained hop character emerges as freshly mown grass, complemented by the warm fermentation's fruity esters—subtle hints of fruit chews and sweet white wine lift the bouquet. A whisper of rhubarb rounds out the profile, adding complexity without overwhelming delicacy.

grainy malt sweetnessfresh-cut grassripe fruit estershoneyed, floral

◐ Taste

Entry is light and crisp, with honeyed malt sweetness establishing the foundation. The mid-palate develops subtle fruit candy notes and a hint of tart rhubarb from the yeast character, while restrained Edelhopfen bitterness (24 IBU) provides gentle balance. The overall impression is refined and dry despite the malt-forward opening, never cloying.

soft malt sweetnessdelicate fruit noteslow bitternessrhubarb tartness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately short, fading smoothly with lingering honeyed malt and a dry, grassy fade. Carbonation adds a refreshing crispness that invites another sip.

clean, dry finishgrassy faderefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stange

The right glass focuses the aroma and maintains carbonation — enhancing everything that makes this beer worth drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Simple Things German Ale

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About Kölsch

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Kölsch?

Kölsch is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Kölsch

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, light, malty character as Simple Things German Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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