Delirium Café Köln

My wife & I met local BA Snowcrash000 for a few beers during our visit to this great city. Located right in the main tourist area it is easy to find.

The interior is itneresting the Delirium style. Various sized tables, a step like seating area and some cool lighting.

Lost of craft options on tap and more choices in bottles and cans. The beers I had were in great shape. Craft beer prices are relatively high compared to local beers but not out of line when compared to say England or the US.

I enjoyed my time here and I think most BAs will.

Located in the heart of the “tourist” district, thus an easy walk from hotels, other restaurants and the train station. Spacious interior and 40 taps, many Delirium variants and a few USA/EU pulls also. Small cooler of bottles to drink on site or take away. Friendly bartenders who were happy to talk (in English) about beers. Sit by the window and people watch as folks go by in the narrow street out front. I’d gladly return when in Köln.

Cologne's newest addition the the craft beer scene boasts 30 taps and an extensive Lambic selection, but is unfortunately again located in the infamous Altstadt district, even more centrally so than Craftbeer Corner Coeln, suggesting another place more interested in the tourist dollars than attracting genuine craft beer enthusiasts.

With 30 taps, Delirium Cafe boasts by far the largest selection in Cologne, however, it could be a bit more interesting and varied. About 10 beers are naturally by Huyghe, at least another 10 usually are various IPAs, 5 are Lagers and only up to 5 a mixture of more interesting styles like Stouts, Berliner Weiße, Herb/Spice or Sour Ale. Real highlights are also rare, maybe 5% of the selection. However, the place is still new and the selection may still improve. There is also a somewhat impressive selection of Lambic bottles available though, including standard releases by Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, Tilquin and Cascade that is certainly unique in Cologne.

It's a relatively large, open space with a casual vibe and living room atmosphere. Plenty of seating available, including a large, wooden stair-like structure with seating cushions along one wall that's a really nice touch. Music is mostly rock, metal and punk, if a bit mainstreamy. They also seem to be playing exactly the same playlist ad nauseam. Still, the music and atmosphere are certainly a welcome change of pace from most of the other establishments in the area.

Prices are unfortunately very much in line with Cologne's other craft beer establishments, although they try to hide this by offering their beers in 0.25l (8oz) measurements instead of the standard 0.33l (11oz). Not a bad approach though, as I reckon that 8oz is enough to try a beer and it allows you to drink a few more beers for your money. Beers usually are between 4-4.50€, yes that's $9-10 for a pint. High-ABV beers such as CBS or Delirium Black are 3.50€ for 0.1l (3oz) and 7.50€ for the standard 0.25l (8oz). There currently are no flights available.

Service is quite good, the main guy being quite knowledgeable and friendly most of the time. Most of the other staff, while friendly, really need to receive some more training when it comes to beer selection and craft beer in general though. Again, the place is new and this may improve over time.