Brauhaus Pütz

Lively hustle, the clinking of glasses, and chatting with the Köbes – in the small neighborhood brewery Pütz, the traditional "Schwemme" – that's the Köbes' workspace – is right in the middle of the room. You can experience firsthand how the Kölsch sizzles out of the tap and flows golden into the glass. Glass by glass, you witness the Köbes fill his trays with the venerable Mühlen-Kölsch, bringing a bit of sociable Kölsch culture into your day. 

But there's more. The Mühlen-Kölsch tapped here is the house beer of the Malzmühle brewery, which has appeared in brewing history since 1858 as the Beer- and Malt Extract Steam Brewery Hubert Koch, Cöln. Together with the other oldest brewery in Cologne, Sünner, Malzmühle operates the BRAUWELT at the historical site in Cologne-Kalk. Opened since 1996, the Pütz brewery house with 200 seats sets a high bar for food, drinks, and cozy rustic atmosphere despite its young age.

Food and Drinks: the Menu

Naturally, typical Kölsch dishes are not missing: Kölsche Kaviar, Halve Hahn, Haxen with Röggelchen, Himmel un Ääd, sausages, and minced meat snacks are served in generous portions. There are also spit roasts, lumberjack steak, and schnitzel. A vegan meatloaf also found its way onto the menu. Additionally, there are seasonal or daily specials that might appeal to a less traditional or brewery-affine audience. 

Mühlen-Kölsch flows from the taps, as does the old Koch's malt beer with only half the alcohol at 2.4%. Also included in the drinks menu are some well-known Sünner spirits, such as Sünner Limoncello or Sünner Korn No. 1, distilled in the brewing world in Cologne Kalk. 

Authentic, Rustic, Typical Kölsch

Especially due to the centrally positioned Schwemme, Pütz can often be very lively – and loud. But with seating for 200 guests, there are also quiet corners for you. 

The atmosphere at Pütz: authentic and cozy. The sometimes monotonous hastiness of tourist hotspots is absent here. The classic brewery furnishings are, of course, present; you sit rustically: brick walls, wooden floors, and scrubbed tables contribute to the homely vibe, as does the dim lighting concept. The Köbesse are known to be brisk and friendly – their jokes and coarse sayings maintain the good, traditional tone. In good weather, there is seating right outside the house. 

In the Background: the Zur Malzmühle Brewery

Brauhaus Pütz is one of the six gastronomy venues of the Zur Malzmühle Brewery – a traditional Kölsch brewery as it's written in the city's history book. Founded in 1858 in the heart of Cologne's old town, it has been family-run since then, now in its fifth generation. 

In 1945, bombs destroyed Malzmühle's historical brewery. Only the portal remained, through which you still enter the newly built Malzmühle today. In 1948 Mühlen-Kölsch flowed again in Malzmühle – for outdoor drinking, as the reconstruction was, of course, not yet finished. The family enterprise has always aimed to provide guests with the best service possible: 6 of the 37 rooms at the Hotel zur Malzmühle feature their own Kölsch tap. 

Today, Mühlen-Kölsch is served in about 150 pubs and restaurants in and around Cologne. It's also available in bottles – or as Pittermännchen, in keg sizes from 10 to 50 liters. And last but not least: "Ich bin ein Kölsch" – said Bill Clinton at the Zur Malzmühle Brewery in 1999, when he was a guest at the G8 summit in Cologne. What are you?