Monday 11th of January 2010 09:38:56 AM

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It's tucked away in an unobtrusive corner near the cathedral, but Früh's main brewery tap is deceptively vast -- stretching across into neighbouring buildings, all the way back and with rooms upstairs as well.

Inside it alternates between bustling and insanely busy. Despite this, I found service to be attentive and, if not exactly friendly, at least efficient.

It opens at 8am for breakfast ("Früh-stuck" -- geddit?) and the food and schnapps menu is extensive, though the beer selection is limited to Früh Kölsch. This macrobeer is widely exported, so I wasn't expecting much from it, but fresh from the cask it's remarkably good.

One of those obvious must-stops in Cologne, and worth a go if you don't have time for Malzmühle or anywhere further from the station.

Friday 9th of January 2009 01:51:56 PM

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I was there 2 years ago, but the memory of this place still haunts me, as I can't get back there anytime soon. If you aren't familiar with service here, it can throw you for a loop. You get a beer (Kolsch of course - .2L ), and waiters are wandering around with beer trays, picking up empties and setting down full ones. You don't even ask, it is just done. To tell them you are done, put your coaster on your beer. They have a coaster with tick marks showing how many beers you had. You just pay at the end. We had appetizers, which were good (especially the mustard - awesome), so can't talk about the food. The Kolsch is very light yet flavorful.