Recommendations around Cologne and Pforzeim

You won't find many (any?) sours in this area. It's Germany.

Pforzheim is kinda weird, but my suggestions are fresh Rothaus and Alpirsbacher. I went to school with the gal from Ketterer, but I have no idea if their beers are decent. Otherwise, others will chime in.

Köln is Kölsch, simply enjoy the freshness of small glassware. Hit the Altstadt and the Dom, Mühlenkölsch is head & shoulders above the rest. Lots of info in Germany thread about places to go and see in Köln.

 

Braustelle in cologne is hard to beat for sours in the city... They do a regular Gose, plus some seasonal/occasional sour beers. Wilde Wutz for instance was easily my highlight beer last year...plus, you will have the chance to drink an Alt in cologne

 

@Lurchus - an Alt in Cologne? Bite your tongue.

 

There are two actually- Ehrenfelder Alt and Hellers Alt...
And you COULD call Frühs Rude Pitter an Alt as well if you were really cheeky.

 

Like getting a west coast IPA in Louisiana....

 

Well Kölsch and Alt are related pretty closely historically, Düsseldorf and Cologne are pretty close, and the whole rivalry is kind of a childish thing anyways, so I think it's kind of cool that a few brewers do it. And I love both styles. Though yeah, you won't find a Uerige like drinking experience in cologne or a Päffgen like experience in Düsseldorf.

 

I concur. Had Alt at Braustelle. Quite lovely, actually. Just enjoy and don't need to compare. Had it not been for Päffgen I would have almost completely slagged off Kölsch.

To OP, there's enough to eat and drink in Köln alone. Take your time.



^^ Ehrenfelder Alt and Helios.

 

Send me a pm if you are heading south to Freiburg the next 3 days and I'll introduce you to Southwestern Kellerpils...

 

Just remembered... look for the Waldhaus pilsner and possibly Gutmann hefeweizen too!

 

@Ungespundetes

Great video, thx for posting