Fruh Brauhaus, Cologne

Brauhaus Früh is perhaps the most popular beer garden in Cologne's Old Town. Also known as Früh am Dom for being located directly opposite the Cologne Cathedral, this brewery is named after its first owner, Peter Josef Früh.

Converting the building of the former Central Theater and restaurant into a top-fermentation facility in 1904 marked the first milestone for the Cölner Hofbräu Peter Josef Früh company. Here, the beer was brewed right in the cellars. Over the years, the location has been continuously expanded and developed.

During World War II, the building, like the rest of Cologne, was severely damaged by bombing raids, with its main section completely burned down in February 1944. In 1987, the production was moved to the Fühlingen district of Cologne, and Früh became a draft beer pub. Gradually, the pub incorporated three neighboring houses and today has about 1400 seats, including the beer garden. There are several uniquely decorated halls, namely "Armorial Hall", "Winter Garden", "Bell Tower", and "Roman cellar", where you can see the remains of the ancient Roman masonry, as well as old equipment of the brewery.

Presently, the establishment is run by the fifth generation of the Früh family.

In addition to the freshly tapped Früh Kölsch, you can try something lighter like Früh NaturRadler, an unfiltered mixture of Kölsch and natural lemonade. There is also Früh Kölsch 0.0%, while Früh Sport Fassbrause combines alcohol-free Kölsch with lemon lemonade for a fizzy, citrusy alternative.

For food, look for the dishes marked by unmistakably Rhineland flavors. Himmel un Ääd, literally “Heaven and Earth,” combines fried blood sausage with potato-and-apple purée and braised onions. Another good match for Kölsch is the oven-roasted pork served with a Früh Kölsch beer sauce and potato dumplings.

For something richer, try Rheinischer Sauerbraten, the regional sweet-and-sour pot roast, served here with almonds, apple compote, and potato dumplings. Pork knuckle, bratwurst, fried potatoes, sauerkraut, and creamy Käsespätzle cheese noodles round out the hearty brauhaus choices.

Still, if you only want a beer and a small bite rather than a full meal, ask about the traditional Cologne snacks available that day. And if the weather is good, you can take your Kölsch outside to the beer garden, where the same regional food is served-a simple way to combine a taste of Cologne with the atmosphere around the Cathedral.