Purchased at : Kattwinkel, Köln.
Initially, all varieties of Kölsch beer kind of taste the same. They are essentially defined by their lack of bitterness which is why I like them so much. But the more you drink them the more you start to detect the subtle differences between the various brands.
The (relative) giant Früh are still dominant, and all the Radeburger brands of Kölsch (Dom, Gilden, Küppers, Peters, Sion) are also brewed at the Früh brewery under contract, but all still to their own recipes though of course. Gilden is my favourite, very narrowly edging out Sion, Gaffel and Peters – mainly because to me, it is the most “Kölschy” of Kölsches – sweet, smooth and drinkable.
Viva Colonia!
Verdict: a low-bitterness 8/10.