The Cost Of Kolsch In Cologne: How Much?

In Cologne, Germany, the price of a pint of beer is usually between €3 and €5. However, the price of a specific type of beer, such as Kölsch, may vary. Kölsch is a unique style of beer that originated in Cologne and is considered the city's typical drink. It is a hybrid of lager and ale, warm-fermented with top-fermenting yeast, and then conditioned at cold temperatures. It is served in small 200ml glasses called Stange, and the servers, known as Köbes, will keep bringing you a new glass until you signal that you're done by placing a coaster on top of the empty glass.

Where to drink Kolsch in Cologne

Where to Drink Kölsch in Cologne

Kölsch is a style of beer originating in Cologne, Germany. It is a refreshing, golden, super-light, crisp beer with fruity notes. It is typically brewed within a 50km radius of the city and served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200ml glass called a Stange.

Cologne has over 100 brew houses, each serving only one brand of the 24 in total that signed the Kölsch Convention. Here are some of the best spots to try a Kölsch in the city:

Früh

One of the biggest and most popular brew houses in town, Früh was recommended by several sources. It is located in the Altstadt-Nord area of the city, next to the Dom cathedral.

Sion Brauhaus

Sion Brauhaus was one source's tour guide's favourite drinking spot.

Gaffel

Gaffel is the hoppiest of the Kölsch beers you'll find in Cologne, with a pleasant bitterness. Head to the location next to the Dom cathedral as the Alter Markt Gaffel-Haus location is no longer open.

Brauerei Zur Malzmühle

Located about a 10-minute walk from the central Altstadt, this tavern serves a Kölsch that is a bit more estery than others around town.

Paffgen

Poured from traditional wooden barrels, Paffgen tastes different every time. At the Innenstadt location, if the barrel is kicked, you get to see it lifted via crane.

Peter's Brauhaus

With lovely stained glass and hop chandeliers, Peter's Brauhaus is the prettiest of the Brauhauses. Its Kölsch is light and easy-drinking.

Reissdorf Brauhaus

Located in a quieter residential neighbourhood, the Reissdorf Brauhaus has more of a pub feel, with a proper bar and soccer matches on the TV. Their Kölsch is super crisp and easy to find in the US.

Braustelle

The first craft brewpub in Cologne, Braustelle serves its own version of an unfiltered Kölsch, along with a rotating list of beers including pale ales, sours and a smoked stout. It's worth the trip out to the Ehrenfeld neighbourhood, which is filled with hip restaurants and bars.

How much is a Kolsch in a bar

Kölsch is a style of beer originating in Cologne, Germany. It is a clear, light, and crisp lager that is warm-fermented with top-fermenting yeast and then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. It is a quintessential beer and is served in most bars in Cologne.

The price of a pint of beer in Cologne varies from €3-€5. However, this price may differ depending on the bar and its location. For instance, a beer at the popular Früh brauhaus by the Dom will likely be priced differently than a beer at a bar in the city's Old Town.

When drinking Kölsch in a bar in Cologne, it is important to note the local customs and traditions. Kölsch is served in small 200ml glasses called a Stange, and the servers, called Köbes, will continuously bring you a new glass of beer when you are almost finished with your current one. They will make a mark on your beer coaster, indicating how many beers you have consumed and how much you owe when you are done. To indicate that you do not want any more beers, you should place the coaster on top of your empty glass.

So, if you are visiting Cologne and plan on trying the local Kölsch beer, be prepared for a unique and enjoyable experience, but also be aware of the local customs to avoid any surprises when it comes to the bill!

How much is a Kolsch in a shop

Kölsch is a style of beer originating in Cologne, Germany. It is a clear, light, and crisp lager that is warm-fermented with top-fermenting yeast and then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. It is a quintessential beer and is considered the "common libation for every occasion".

In Cologne, it is customary for bars to serve Kölsch in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a Stange. The server, called a Köbes, will bring you a new glass of beer when you're almost finished with your current one, unless you tell them to stop. The Köbes will keep track of the number of beers served by marking a tick on a coaster under the Stange. You can indicate that you don't want another beer by placing the coaster on top of your empty glass.

The price of a pint of beer in a bar in Cologne is typically €3-€5. A bottle of beer from a grocery store costs around €1.5.

If you're looking for a recommendation on which brand of Kölsch to try, the Reissdorf Kölsch from the renowned Heinrich Reissdorf Brewery in the heart of Cologne is a good place to start. Their signature brew is crafted in the traditional style and is one of the bestselling Kölsch beers in the world. Another option is the Gaffel Brewery, which has been brewing exceptional beer since 1908.

For those who want to try a modern twist on the classic Kölsch, the Honey Kölsch from Rogue Ales is worth considering. This Oregon-based brewery adds honey harvested from bees at their farms, resulting in added notes of toast, wildflower, and sweet honey to the traditional Kölsch taste.

So, the next time you're in Cologne, be sure to try the local speciality, Kölsch, and experience the unique drinking culture that comes with it!

What is Kolsch?

Kölsch (pronounced "kœlʃ") is a style of beer that originated in Cologne (Köln), Germany. It is a hybrid of lager and ale beers, borrowing the best elements from both categories. Kölsch is warm fermented with top-fermenting yeast and then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. This brewing process is similar to that of Düsseldorf's altbier.

Kölsch is a refreshing, light, and drinkable beer with a subtle fruitiness and spice, and a crisp, clean finish. It has a straw-yellow hue and is bright and clear in appearance. It has an original gravity between 11 and 14 degrees Plato (specific gravity of 1.044 to 1.056).

Since 1997, the term "Kölsch" has been protected within the European Union, indicating that it can only be called Kölsch if brewed within 50 km of Cologne and according to the Kölsch Konvention, which sets out specific brewing requirements. These include that it must be a pale, highly attenuated, hoppy, bright (filtered, not cloudy), top-fermenting beer, and brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot.

Kölsch has a long history in Cologne, with the name first used in 1918 to describe a beer brewed by the Sünner brewery since 1906. The beer's popularity grew in the 1960s, and it is now enjoyed worldwide, with increasing exports to the United States, Russia, Korea, China, and Brazil.

In Cologne, Kölsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a Stange. The server, called a Köbes, carries eleven or twelve Stangen in a Kranz, a circular tray resembling a wreath. The Köbes replaces empty glasses with full ones unless the drinker indicates they are finished by placing their coaster on top of the empty glass.

How is Kolsch served?

Kölsch is a style of beer that originated in Cologne, Germany. It is a unique brew that combines the best elements of a lager and an ale. It is typically served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a Stange, which means "pole" or "rod". The glasses are made of thin glass and are slightly tapered at the top. Due to the small serving size, the beer remains cold by the time you're ready for the next one. The glasses are usually carried by servers called Köbes, who carry eleven or twelve Stanges in a Kranz, a circular tray that resembles a crown or wreath.

When drinking Kölsch, it is customary to clink glasses from the bottom rather than the top. The Köbes will continue to bring you a new glass when you're almost finished unless you tell them to stop. To keep track of how many beers you've consumed, the Köbes will make a small tick mark or tally mark on your coaster. When you're done drinking, place the coaster on top of your empty glass to indicate that you don't want another refill. This is a fun and efficient way to serve beer, and it's a unique part of the drinking culture in Cologne.

Kölsch is best served fresh and at cellar temperature, which is slightly colder than room temperature. It is a very subtle beer with a pale gold to light gold colour, a light grainy malt character, and a soft mouthfeel. It has a subtle fruitiness and spice, with a crisp, clean finish.

In addition to the traditional Stange, Kölsch can also be served in smaller glasses called a "Stössche", which hold about 100-125 millilitres. This smaller serving size is often preferred by locals, who take their Kölsch drinking seriously!

Frequently asked questions