Brew of the Day #3: Früh Kölsch, Cologne, Germany

Hello. We go in late today, so I'll have to post all of the pics and updates from Bonn and Cologne Cathedral tomorrow.

But... here's today's brew.

The story goes that the amusingly gruff waiters in Cologne (Köln), upon asked for a glass of water instead of beer, may ask you if you want soap and a towel, too (Rossi would appreciate that sort of quip). Although we were not served by such a character (it probably also did not help that none of us speaks good German), we did drink Kölsch, the beautiful, malty, lightly hoppy beer that is only allowed by German law to be brewed in Cologne. It was a perfect day to experience such a light and refreshing drink. We sat in the sun by the Rhine and refueled with beer and schnitzel before heading to the cathedral.

Although I have seen the bottled beer in the U.S. once (in Omaha, no less), like every specialty, it is best had fresh and on tap.

Prost!