Fruh Brauhaus, Cologne

Brauhaus Früh is perhaps the most popular biergarten (beer-garden) in Cologne's Old Town. Also known as Früh am Dom for being located directly opposite the Cologne Cathedral, this brewery is named after its first owner, Peter Josef Früh.

Converting the building of the former Central Theater and Schützenliesel restaurant, at Am Hof 12, into a top-fermentation facility in 1904 marked the first milestone for Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh KG. Here the beer was brewed right in the cellars. Over the years, the location has been continuously expanded and developed.

During World War II, the building, like the rest of Cologne, was severely damaged by bombing raids, with its main section completely burned down in February 1944. In 1987, the production was moved to the Fühlingen district of Cologne, and Früh became a draft beer pub. Gradually, the pub incorporated three neighboring houses and now has about 1400 seats, including the beer-garden. There are several uniquely decorated halls - "Armorial Hall", "Winter Garden", "Bell Tower", and "Roman cellar" (here you can see the remains of the ancient Roman masonry, as well as old equipment of the brewery). The establishment is currently run by the fifth generation of the Früh family.

In addition to the freshly tapped Früh Kölsch, the beer-house offers a large range of meat dishes and snacks, prepared especially to go with the brew. Here you can also discover the art of traditional brewing and serving beer – waiters carrying "perforated" trays, in the holes of which glasses are inserted.

In 2003 the Feinkosttheke delicatessen was opened next to the beer-house, offering Früh's homemade specialties, spices, mustard and sauces.