  | During our recent visit to Cologne, we decided to visit Dusseldorf, which is only an half hour trip away either by train or car. The state capital of North-Rhine Westphalia, the heart of the city is the Alstadt on the banks of the Rhine. Famous for its Altbier, “old beer”, which is reddish brown in colour and similar to a British bitter. It is top fermented and then cold conditioned and always around 4.8% abv. It is fairly fruity with a dry bitter finish. The first pub we visit is Zum Uerige –Bergerstafe 1 - This is a rambling and justly famous brewpub it is located on the corner of a busy shopping street in the Altstadt. To the right of the entrance is an L-shaped taproom with beautiful stained glass windows depicting old Düsseldorf scenes and carved wooden panels with similar motifs. We got here around 10am on Saturday morning and the place was packed, we sat in the back room were you can see the brewing vessels behind a glass screen, they also have a large outside area. For those of you who remember Auf Weidersehen Pet, the lads met in this bar in the first series. They also have a wheat beer (weissbier) available, which is interesting. Not far away is Dibels Fasskeller – Bolkerstafe 14-16 This is a large one roomed bar with an eclectic collection of tables and chairs, They have the Altbier from the barrel as always and also a Pils and a weissbier. Further along the same street at no.44 is Schumacher Im Goldenen Kessel - This is Schumacher's second outlet in the city centre, though not brewing itself. It's been owned by the Schumacher family since 1902 The beer her is served from wooden barrels and is a nice quaffing ale called Schumacher Junj Alt, go in November for the special or March to try the Latzenbier. Next pub we tried was Im Weissen Bären - one of many pubs on the Bolkerstrasse. It's a long, thin, one-roomed place. The bar, which runs along one wall, has a carved wooden cabinet. The part where you stand your drinks or lean your elbows is much more modern. The walls are lined with benches which have fixed high tables in front of them –they play loud rock music the bier is OK but not the best. |
The Brauerei Zum Schlüssel –at no 47 Bolkerstrasse has a narrow frontage but when you enter its like a tradis, as it rambles backwards through a variety of rooms to the brewery at the rear. The main bar is placed centrally at the front and has a standing taproom to one side of it. It's more restauranty, but eating is not compulsory. Although the food is really good and not to expensive. We had a very good traditional meal here. The brewery itself can be observed through a glass wall. It has the usual collection of shiny copper equipment which so impresses us beer aficionados! They also sell beer related merchandise. Well refreshed we set off to the Fuchschen brewpub on Ratinger Strafe 28 – A wonderful, friendly old pub-brewery with an impressive wooden interior. It's a traditional brewery on the north of the town. They have a small restaurant serving traditional Dusseldorf dishes, plus they have a small snug at the back were you get to meet all the local characters. They do two beers from the barrel an Alt and a Weihnachtsbier, plus bottles of weizen bier.Next was Brauerei Zur Uel - A former brewery which is further along the same street,. It has large wooden tables, but none of the odd old paintings and prints on the walls that is usual in this area, its basically one large room geared up for young drinkers. Over the Rhine on Belsenplatrz 2 you will find the Alter Bahnhof, this has just started brewing again and does a nice tasty Altbier plus a Pils and a Weissen. The pub has a bright yellow bricked front and was once a railway station. To get there, if you don’t fancy a nice stroll through the city, better to get the U-Bahn which has several stop just outside. Whist you are over this side of the Rhine, check out Johann Albrecht on Niederkasseler Strafe 104. With three biers on draught this brewpub is part of a small chain of six. It has a county pub feel being quite rustic, also for those who like a change from bier it acts as the tap for the Schimittmann Distillery next door. The brewery is at the back of the building in a conservatory. Well worth a visit, Might be good to get the number 833 bus. But we like the exercise! Paulaner Botschaft & Pilsner Urquell have outlets in the city that are worth a visit. |   |
