Beer: The season for Kölsch

Your new summer beer is getting easier to find, said Spike Carter in Bloomberg .com. Brewed in Cologne, Germany, since the 13th century, Kölsch is the product of a marriage of ale and lager techniques. The result is a low-alcohol beer with a “cleanly drinkable” profile. “If the ubiquity of Pilsners and helles lagers has made you jaded, the increasing popularity of Kölsch should perfectly scratch the itch this summer.”

“About as pristine-tasting as beer gets,” this Cologne classic is “faintly malty and soft throughout, with a nicely dry hop finish.”

Another Cologne staple, this one’s “famed for its particular freshness.” It has a “pleasantly grassy” finish.

On hot days, this light-bodied Kölsch from Minneapolis’ Surly Brewing is “just the ticket.” It’s “lemony, minty, with a hint of straw.”