Brauhaus zur Malzmuhle-Muhlen Kolsch

After Belgium, we made our way to Cologne and had dinner at a traditional German restaurant and brewery, serving the local specialty in the traditional way, 200ml glasses repeatedly brought out to you until you indicate that you want no more. I was very excited for this not only because of the fun serving tradition, but also because Kolsch style beer is one of the styles that got me into craft beer, so I had to pay homage to it in its homeland. The restaurant was unbelievable and felt very authentic. It was mostly filled with locals and the interior looked exactly how one would imagine a German beer hall to look. On top of that the food was exceptional. That night I had a sausage in a gravy, red cabbage, and potatoes to complement this fantastic beer.

This beer poured brilliantly clear with a moussey white head. It has a malty sweet, grassy aroma. The taste has a mix of both munich and pilsner malt character that comes together in an extremely refreshing slightly malty beer. The body is light, the finish is very dry and almost a little watery, but the malts do support it well. It is my belief that if this kind of beer were available often in America, people would have absolutely no reason to drink mass-produced lager anymore, and anyone seeking to make a refreshing, tasty, summer beer should look to this style for inspiration.

We arrived in Cologne to some amazing weather, and given the location of the train station next to the Cathedral, your mind is immediately blown. After we dropped our bags at the hostel and got a massive cheese covered pretzel to eat, we made our way to the Chocolate Museum. This museum is fantastic and has something for everyone. It goes into detail on the cocoa plant, the chocolate making process, molding, marketing, and so much more. On top of that there are a few opportunities for free samples, helping to satisfy your growing appetite for chocolate as you walk through the museum. They even have separate signs and some interactive components for kids, making this place enjoyable for anyone, young or old, and who doesn't love a little free chocolate.

On account of the weather, we strolled along the Rhine, enjoying the sun and the warmth and walked along the massive love lock bridge in Cologne. It was crazy to see the entire bridge gate covered in locks from people around the world looking to toss their key, cementing their love in the Rhine.

The next day, we went to the Cathedral and made the lengthy ascent to the top. Unfortunately, Cologne is not a particularly impressive city from the sky and the view is covered in protective chicken wire, making the top not as impressive as one would hope, but the sheer magnificence of the cathedral is enough to make you stop and stare. Afterwards, I made my way to the Roman museum adjacent to the Cathedral, which boasts an impressive collection of glassware from Roman times as well as an tiled floor from Roman times, still fully intact. For dinner that night we made our way to a craft brewery in Cologne for some delicious beers, which I will talk about in the next installment, and another tasty German dinner.