While traveling around Germany we found ourselves 'stranded' in Köln (Cologne), so if you ever find yourself in Köln may I suggest one or two places to visit (this is by no means a detailed list, but it does cover one or two venues that serve the unique Kölsch beer). Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best so the imposing Cathedral was unfortunately shrouded in mist, however this didn't dampen our plans...

In 1985 the 24 breweries of Cologne gathered to create the 'Kölsch Konvention' which stipulates that Kölsch is brewed within the Köln metroploitan area and brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516 (beer can only be brewed using simply water, barley and hops), it is pale in colour, top-fermented, hop-accented, and filtered, with alcohol by volume ranging from 4.4% to 5.2%.

The term Kölsch was offically used in 1918 to describe the beer brewed at the Sünner Brewery, however there appears to be a few definitions of the meaning of the word, whether it is to refer to the local dialect or whether it refres to the beer style itself is open to interpretation. Kolsch never really gained popularity in the first half of the twentieth century as bottom-fermented beers proved more popular. It wasn't until the 1960's that the sales of Kölsch started to climb. After the second world war only 2 breweries remained however that number has steadily increased.

So what is Kölsch? it is clear, with a bright straw yellow hue, and is not overly hoppy, it is less bitter than the standard German pale lager though. Traditionally it is served in a tall, straight, cylindrical 200ml glass called a Kölsch-Stange, and the best place to taste it...in an orignal 'Brauhaus' (the traditional German pub where the beer is brewed). Be aware though, the 'Köbes' serve this fantastic ale one after another so if you don't say 'no' and put the beer matt on top of your glass, they just keep coming!

In no particular order here is a simple list of the places we visited, oh, and best to check opening times as they can vary: