Frequently asked questions

The historic vaulted cellar beneath the Gilden beer house at Zims is one of the oldest preserved cellars in Cologne’s Old Town. During the tour, we dive into the city’s past here for a special moment – the perfect backdrop for fascinating stories and a great photo. It’s one of the wow moments our guests especially love.

Metthappen is seasoned raw minced pork on a bread roll with fresh onions – a typical Cologne delicacy. Halver Hahn (literally: half a rooster) is a rye roll with a thick slice of Dutch cheese, butter, mustard, and onions – despite the name, there’s no chicken involved! Both are classic Cologne beer hall dishes. On the tour, you choose one of the two options.

Absolutely! 😊
Our tours aren’t just about Kölsch, but primarily about history, anecdotes, and the Cologne way of life.

The beer halls also serve wine, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Many of our guests don’t drink beer at all – and still have a great time.

Yes! For groups of 8 or more, the tour is automatically booked as a private tour with a flexible start time. For company events, we also offer our special company tours with additional options (e.g., axe throwing).

Yes, depending on which tour you book, some Kölsch are included in the price. In any case, you can order the respective Kölsch in every beer house for a small price (expect to pay €2.50 per Kölsch incl. tip).

Guided beer hall tours usually last about 2–3 hours. Public tours have fixed times, while private tours can often be customized.

After booking, you will receive an invoice from us with a payment link. You can either pay conveniently online or by bank transfer.

If you would first like a non-binding offer, select “Request without obligation” at the end of the booking process.

The Culinary Beer Hall Tour is offered in German and English – each as a separate tour with its own time slot. This allows your guide to focus fully on one language. You can see the available dates directly in the booking calendar. Private tours are also available in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, depending on guide availability.

Yes, that’s possible. However, if you’d like to meet new people or don’t want to worry about the planning, you’ll often benefit from a public guided tour.

Yes, dogs are generally welcome.
Just keep in mind that beer halls can get loud and crowded.
In NRW, dogs must be kept on a leash.

Please let us know about any allergies or intolerances when booking, in the notes field. We’ll check with the beer halls and can usually find a solution. If you have severe allergies (e.g., nuts, gluten), please contact us in advance by email or phone so we can plan everything safely.

If a tour can’t take place for important reasons (e.g. minimum group size, illness, force majeure), we’ll refund the full tour price or, if you prefer, issue you a voucher.

Yes, the tour takes place in almost any weather – we’re inside the beer halls most of the time! The walking distances between stops are short (usually just a few minutes). Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are enough. Only in case of extreme weather will we inform you in advance about a cancellation.

A self-guided tour is good for spontaneous, small groups.
A guided tour is particularly good for:

• Bachelor parties
• Company events
• Birthdays
• Guests who want to hear background stories and anecdotes

Many visitors say that they only truly understood how Kölsch culture works with a guide.

Axe throwing is run by our partner WoodCutter Köln.
This service is subject to the provider’s terms and conditions.

Reducing the number of participants or getting a refund usually isn’t possible here.
We’re happy to share the details with you before you book.

Yes – the options depend on the chosen rate and the conditions displayed during booking.

• The applicable cancellation and rebooking rules are displayed in the booking form and are part of the contract.
• They are also documented in the booking confirmation or the offer.

Depending on the chosen rate, free cancellation up to a certain point in time, a rebooking, or a voucher may be possible.
For cheaper rates, a refund may be excluded.

👉 The conditions displayed during your booking are always decisive.

The meeting point is in front of Früh am Dom in Cologne’s Old Town – just a few minutes’ walk from the main train station and the Cathedral. The tour lasts approx. 3 hours. At the last beer house (Haxenhaus), you can stay after the tour for as long as you like, provided the table doesn’t have a subsequent reservation.

Yes — we can make that work.

Not every beer house in Cologne’s Old Town is fully accessible, as many venues have grown historically over time. But: we know our way around and always have suitable, accessible alternatives ready.

If a beer house isn’t suitable, we’ll adjust the route accordingly. That way, we make sure the tour stays relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.

The only important thing is that you let us know briefly in advance — ideally when you book or by replying to the booking confirmation. Then we can prepare everything perfectly.

Yes, it’s possible, and you can find our tips for heading out on your own right here: Self-guided beer hall tour in Cologne or with a guide? The honest comparison

However, if you want to meet new people or don’t want to worry about the planning, you’ll often benefit from a public guided tour.

The Köbes is the traditional waiter in the beer house. He refills Kölsch unprompted, writes tally marks on the beer mat, and is known for his direct, often humorous manner. This interplay is part of the authentic beer house experience.

Yes – changes to the number of participants are generally possible.

👔 Corporate Tours

For corporate tours, the following applies:

• Up to 7 days before the date, you can reduce the number of participants by up to 25% free of charge.
• After that, a reduction of up to 10% is possible free of charge until 24 hours before the date.

Further reductions are subject to the conditions displayed during the booking process.

🍻 All Other Tours

For all other tours, any reduction in the number of participants depends on the selected rate and the cancellation and rebooking conditions displayed at the time of booking.

Depending on the rate, a reduction may be free of charge, subject to a fee, or excluded. The regulations displayed in the booking form as well as the booking confirmation or offer are authoritative.

➕ Additional Participants

Additional participants can be added even at short notice—provided places are still available—and will be charged accordingly.

💡 Tip: If your group size is not yet finalized, pay attention to the respective rate conditions and deadlines when booking.

Of course! Our public tours are perfect for meeting other travelers and Kölsch fans. The snack platter is shared together—which quickly gets the conversation going at the table. Solo travelers are very welcome with us. The Culinary Beer Hall Tour is offered in German and English—each as a separate tour with its own date. This way, your guide can focus entirely on one language. You can see the available dates directly in the booking calendar.

Yes, you can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour starts. We offer free rescheduling to another date up to 24 hours before your booked tour, subject to availability. No refunds are given for no-shows without prior cancellation.

All bookings and payments are made online or via bank transfer in advance. Unfortunately, cash payment on site is not possible.

This way, we ensure our guides can fully concentrate on the tour experience – without additional organizational effort related to cash, receipts, or change.

Sure! You can also join alone – our public tours are great for meeting other travelers.
Public tours run when enough guests have booked (see booking page). Should a tour exceptionally not take place, we will inform you in good time and refund the amount or offer an alternative.

The Culinary Beer House Tour costs €95 per person. Included are: an experienced Kölsch Crew guide for 3 hours, unlimited Kölsch/soft drinks during the entire tour, Cologne tapas (Metthappen or Halver Hahn) at the first beer house, a Cologne delicacy platter (or vegetarian alternative) at Haxenhaus, and visits to 4 beer houses in the Old Town. Not included: other food and drinks, as well as travel to and from the tour.

For private beer hall tours, we require advance planning, as we do not have guides on call. Therefore, same-day booking directly at the location is unfortunately not possible. We recommend reserving private tours as early as possible, as dates – especially on weekends – sell out quickly.

For our public tours, same-day booking is often still possible, provided the tour is not yet fully booked. In this case, booking is exclusively online with direct payment. We operate completely cashless to keep the organizational effort for our guides low.

Kölsch is traditionally served in slim 0.2-liter glasses so it stays fresh and cold. Because it’s top-fermented, Kölsch loses carbonation faster than other beers. Small glasses make sure it never goes flat—and the Köbes automatically brings you another one as long as your coaster isn’t on top of the glass.

Under 18, participation is only possible accompanied by an adult. Alcohol is, of course, only served according to applicable law.

The Culinary Beer Hall Tour accommodates a maximum of 15 guests. For up to 7 people, you can book spots on our public tour on fixed dates. For groups of 8 or more, a private tour with a flexible start time is automatically booked. Public tours run if there are enough bookings.

For groups like bachelor/ette parties, companies, or birthdays – with your own guide, a custom route, and a flexible start time.

Yes, for private tours, we can include small challenges or custom elements, such as our bingo game with tasks for the bachelor.

For small groups (up to 4 people), you usually don’t need a reservation on weekdays. On weekends or for larger groups, we recommend booking ahead—or joining a guided tour where everything is taken care of.

The guide usually waits up to 10 minutes at the meeting point.

Please inform us at least 15 minutes before the tour starts if you are running late.
We will then try – without obligation – to find a solution (e.g., rejoining the group).

Unfortunately, participation cannot be guaranteed without timely information.

Best of all, where Kölsch isn’t just poured but lived: in a beer house. If you want to dive deeper, check out our public beer house tours or the private beer house tour in the Old Town.

The Cologne Delicacy Platter is a hearty feast featuring pork knuckle, homemade bratwurst, leberkäse, blood sausage, and traditional Cologne sides. It’s served for the group to share – just as it should be in a real Cologne beer house. The Haxenhaus has been famous for its freshly grilled knuckles for over 25 years and is located right in the Old Town at Frankenwerft.

Typically around 2–3 hours (depending on the tour/route) and includes visits to several beer houses.

Yes—especially if you want to celebrate in a relaxed way without having to worry about organizing anything.

On a self-guided tour, you only pay for your drinks and food. The cost depends heavily on how many stops you make and how much you consume.

A guided beer hall tour costs more, but includes organization, background knowledge, and often included Kölsch.

Yes. Both beer styles are top-fermented, but they differ significantly in color, malt profile, bitterness, and overall impression.

Yes! For the starter, the Halver Hahn (rye roll with cheese) is vegetarian. For the main course at the Haxenhaus, we offer a vegetarian alternative—please mention it in the notes field when booking. The Cologne “Schmankerl” platter itself is meat-based (pork knuckle, bratwurst, Leberkäse), so we need advance notice.

For most visitors to Cologne, the brewhouse tour is more exciting because you experience the unique Kölsch culture directly in the brewhouses – not just the technical production process.

Usually 2-3 hours, depending on the route and group dynamics.

Realistically, you can visit 3–4 beer houses in 2.5–3 hours. More stops often mean more stress and less enjoyment. In Cologne, it’s less about quantity and more about atmosphere and stories.

For stag/hen parties, we strongly recommend our private tours.

Stag/hen parties are generally not allowed on public tours, so everyone can enjoy a relaxed experience.

You’ll always find the exact meeting point in your booking confirmation. For public Old Town tours, we usually start at Heumarkt (stop).
Our tours usually end in the Old Town – close to Heumarkt/Alter Markt.
Small changes may be necessary for organisational reasons – we’ll let you know in good time by email (and, if applicable, via messenger/SMS if you’ve provided a number).

Altbier stayed truer to the maltier tradition of earlier beers. Kölsch emerged later, taking more inspiration from pale, clear beer styles.

Kölsch flat rate means: All Kölsch you drink during the entire 3-hour tour is included in the price. There’s no limit and no counting – the Köbes refills as long as you’re thirsty. If you don’t want Kölsch, soft drinks are included.

A brewery produces beer. A beer house is a traditional pub where Kölsch is served – including the Köbes, the Stange glass, and typical beer house culture.

Generally yes—but not every beer house is thrilled about loud or heavily costumed groups. A guided tour helps ensure better acceptance.

For a classic route, we recommend, for example:

• Früh am Dom (stag parties aren’t particularly welcome here)
• Peters Brauhaus
• Brauhaus Sion
• Gilden im Zims (definitely take a look in the cellar! Stag parties aren’t particularly welcome here)
• Brauerei zur Malzmühle

These beer houses are fairly close to each other and offer different Kölsch varieties and atmospheres.

Our public beer hall tour in the Old Town lasts 2.5 hours. For private tours, corporate events, and bachelor parties, you can choose your preferred duration during the booking process.

The beer houses on our tours are usually very close to each other, so the walk between two beer houses typically takes no longer than 5 minutes.

Kölsch is a top-fermented beer, making it technically closer to an ale. However, due to its cool fermentation and long conditioning, it often tastes more like a lager.

The Culinary Beer Hall Tour is our premium experience: 3 hours through Cologne’s Old Town with an all-you-can-drink Kölsch, Cologne tapas (Metthappen or Halver Hahn), and as a highlight, the Cologne Specialty Platter at Haxenhaus. The regular public Beer Hall Tour (starting from €19) is a guided tour only, without food and drinks. The Culinary Tour costs €95 per person – all-inclusive.

Yes, that’s easily possible. But it requires planning, reservations, and local organization.

A self-organized beer house tour in Cologne is best started in the Old Town around the Cathedral, Heumarkt, and Alter Markt. Many traditional beer houses are located just a few minutes’ walk from each other. Plan about 2.5–3 hours and visit 3–4 stops. Groups under 5 people usually don’t need a reservation—but it can get crowded on weekends.

Yes – our public tours take place if at least 5 people are registered.

If this number isn’t reached up to 2 hours before the start, you can choose between rescheduling to another date or a full refund.

Our tours are offered in German and English by default. Other languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Dutch are possible – depending on the availability of a suitable guide.

You can see the current availability for your desired language directly in the booking calendar:

🟢 Green: immediately bookable

🟡 Yellow: on request (we check guide availability)

🔴 Red: currently not available

In Cologne’s Old Town, there’s only one Kölsch brewery left – Päffgen – but it doesn’t offer tours. If you’re looking for an authentic Kölsch experience in the Old Town, a brewhouse tour is usually your best bet.

For each beer house, we have a selection menu that provides a cross-section of all available dishes. These typically include vegetarian options, and an increasing number of beer houses also offer vegan choices.

That varies slightly depending on the beer house, but they usually consist of minced meat bites, blood sausage bites, cheese bites on Röggelchen, and, for example, meatballs.

Choose one of our three drinks packages when booking – additional drinks can be added on request.

Package A
2 crates of Kölsch (24 x 0.33 l)
1 bottle of Mexican (0.7 l)
1 bottle of Coke (1.0 l)
1 bottle of Sprite (1.0 l)
1 bottle of water (1.0 l)

Package B
3 bottles of sparkling wine or wine (0.75 l each)
1 crate of Kölsch (24 x 0.33 l)
1 bottle of Sourz Red Berry (0.7 l)
1 bottle of Coke (1.0 l)
1 bottle of Sprite (1.0 l)
1 bottle of water (1.0 l)

Package C
6 bottles of sparkling wine or wine (0.75 l each)
2 bottles of water (1.0 l each)
2 bottles of Sprite (1.0 l each)
2 bottles of cola (1.0 l each)

We have found that different groups drink different amounts and there are even people who don’t drink beer at all 😮 To simplify the whole thing, offer you more flexibility and be able to offer you a cheaper tour, we have decided to offer the tours without drinks included.

We want to be transparent: in the beer halls, we pay the same price for a Kölsch as any other guest. Including drinks would result in additional costs for us, such as accounting or payment processing fees during booking. To offer the tour with 4 included Kölsch, we would have to charge a significantly higher price. You can expect to pay about €2.50 per Kölsch (including a tip for the waiter).

On our tour, we won’t show you the breweries’ production halls – we’ll show you what really makes Cologne’s beer culture special: traditional beer houses and cozy old pubs in the Old Town.
Kölsch isn’t brewed there – it’s lived. Locals and visitors sit together, stories are born – and you’ll experience that atmosphere up close with us.
Many brewery tours are also fully booked weeks or months in advance. In the beer houses, on the other hand, you’ll discover the city’s authentic side – often in places with a long brewing history of their own.
And let’s be honest: brew kettles often look pretty similar around the world.
But the Cologne way of life? You’ll only find that here. 🍻

Yes, our tours run rain or shine! Please check the forecast and bring suitable clothing.

We will of course inform you in good time in the event of severe weather or security issues.

Our public tours can usually be booked on the same day, unless they are sold out. On our Last-Minute page, you can see available spots in real-time. For private tours, especially on weekends, we recommend booking as early as possible, as these dates are often fully booked weeks in advance.