Kölsch Quest: Layover In Cologne

Are you ready for a whirlwind adventure in the heart of Germany? If you find yourself on a short layover in Cologne, you’re in for a treat. While the city boasts a wealth of attractions and experiences, we’re going to focus on a classic Cologne tradition – sipping Kölsch beer. As beer nerds, drinking this traditional beer in its birthplace was on our bucket list. Though we had limited time in the Cologne, we maximized our time experiencing the traditions of Kölsch drinking.

Arrival at Cologne

Your journey begins the moment you step off the train at Cologne’s central station, the Köln Hauptbahnhof. This grand transportation hub is conveniently located in the city center, making it the perfect starting point for your Kölsch adventure.

Luggage

One factor that adds to the convenience of a quick stop in Cologne is the automated luggage storage machine that is available in the train station. This machine was simple to use and allowed for efficient storage and retrieval of our luggage. The automated luggage storage machine is located on the ground level of the train station out in the open next to the FlixTrain shop.

Our Logistics

We planned our time in Cologne around a ~5 hour layover in the city. We made sure to give ourselves plenty of time back at the train station to collect our luggage and locate our platform. For European train planning we use the Rail Europe application. This made it easy to plan train tickets around this layover.

The Kölsch Experience

Before we dive into the details, let’s get acquainted with Kölsch. Kölsch is not just a beer; it’s a local cultural treasure. This top-fermented beer is pale and light-bodied, with a crisp, refreshing taste. It’s so deeply ingrained in Cologne’s culture that it even has its own set of traditions. In fact, to be called a Kölsch the beer must be brewed in Cologne. All other breweries outside of Cologne have to call their beer “Kölsch-Style” instead.

Once you’ve settled in at your chosen Kölsch brauhaus, it’s time to experience the magic. Kölsch is typically served in small, cylindrical glasses called “Stangen.” The beer is cold, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is lively. Don’t be surprised if a friendly local strikes up a conversation – Kölners are known for their warm hospitality.

Drinking Etiquette

• Each brauhaus only serves one beer – their own Kölsch. This makes ordering easy! Simply sit down and your waiter will soon be by with a tray of beers to ask if you’ll be drinking.
• Your waiter will start a tab by marking your coaster to indicate how many beers you have been served. Be sure to enjoy the beer at a leisurely pace, savoring each sip.
• Your waiter will continue to provide you with a beer refill when they notice you are ready – no need to order. So how do you stop? To indicate that you are done ordering, simply place your coaster on top of your stangen glass. It was a lot of fun partaking in this traditional beer service!

Our Stops

Cologne Cathedral

I thought this was a post about drinking beer?!? We’ll get there, but first as you step foot outside of the train station you’ll find yourself in awe of the Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral stands as the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second tallest church in Europe. Take some time to admire this amazing structure before leaving for your first brauhaus.

Gaffel am Dom

This was our first Kölsch stop in Cologne and only steps away from the train station (160m). The brauhaus was large and traditionally decorated. You can choose to take a seat in the bar area for beer service, or you can request to be seated at a table for full food service. We opted to grab a table in the bar area and really enjoyed having a front-row seat to watch the constant beers getting poured behind the counter. The beer was delicious and refreshing!

Früh am Dom

A short 4 minute walk (280m) got us to our next brauhaus at Früh. This location had a large inviting patio area as well as a more cozy interior. Along with enjoying many glasses of Kölsch, we also ordered from their traditional German food menu. The food was great with very friendly service!

Christmas Markets

On our way to one final brauhaus we came across an inviting Christmas market. Even though the main Christmas market in Cologne (which looked amazing) had closed for the season, many smaller side markets were still up and running. We stopped by and were excited to find that we could sample many different varieties of Kölsch. Of course no stop at a German Christmas market is complete without a glass of Glühwein!

A short layover in Cologne can turn into a memorable Kölsch experience with just a few simple steps. From the central train station to the heart of the city, you can sip on this iconic beer and soak up the local culture in no time. So, whether you have a few hours or a day to spare, make sure to add Kölsch tasting to your Cologne to-do list. Prost! Check out our International Travel posts for more trip inspiration.