Brauerei Früh Am Dom

scoobybrew

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2 | food: 3 | $$

The wife and I stopped in here on our recent European trip. After trying all the big Kolsch breweries in the city center, this was our favorite for the beer. It also ranked pretty high on atmosphere. We sat inside near a window, which had stained glass decorations, that was in view of one of the Dom's bell tower spires. The service was decent and the food was okay. But the beer by far is the reason to come here. I honestly believe it's the best in Koln.

(The selection for obvious reasons is poor here - but honestly, why would you come here to drink anything but Kolsch?!)

Stop in here if you're in the city and thirsty - also it's not far at all from the train station so you could hop in if you have a few hours while just passing through.

07-25-2007 23:56:59 | More by scoobybrew

sim0n17

Germany

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Service is not bad, it's just always busy. Try to get a table on the ground floor if you can as the atmosphere is better. I find lunch to be more fun than dinner. The Fruh is always fresh and flowing - be sure to "abuse" your Cubis as local tradition dictates. Basically, be rude to the waiter in jest as that is the expectation - sometimes they dish out better than they get :-)

The steak tartar is nice and the cheese selections are very nice. There's a lot of traditional German food on the menu. I also reccommend getting a cask for the table if you group is a little bigger - or just thirstier as this is fun to tap the keg, a lot faster for refills, and just fresh as the day is long.

11-08-2011 18:27:47 | More by sim0n17

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.38/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I think this must be most BA's first stop on a Kolsch tour, as this so close to the Hauptbahnhof.

We visited in Summer, so most of the drinkers were outside on the terrace soaking up the sun.

It was the day of the 3rd place play off in the World Cup - Germany vs Uruguay, so atmosphere was light hearted and football focussed!

Service was excellent, very Kobe-like, not much chat, just taking the order and bringing it out.

The kolsch is certainly fresh and of good quality from the wood.

I had the Halven Hahn - A slab of gouda cheese, butter, and a rye roll, with mustard - the classic Koln snack! My drinking buddy had the 3 spiegeleir mit speck, bratkartoffeln und salad. It didnt stand a chance.

Selection is of course Fruh Kolsch, but thats expected, its their pub!

Value is more pricey since close to the Hbf.

Overall, a very enjoyable visit!

07-15-2010 10:18:28 | More by seanyfo

cagocubs

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$$

I stopped here while traveling throughout Europe. I love Kolsch beer and was reccomended this place by many Germans. This place had great location, beer, and good service.

As stated before the proximity to the cathedral is nice and it is a must visit for anyone going by or to Cologne. The inside has a nice feeling as it was crowded with both the townspeople and tourists. The service was a tad slow but I realize it was because it was so busy. The only thing I remember about their food was it was larger portions. I do remember the Kolsch was excellent. This place was big with a nice authentic feel. It was somewhat pricey, but well worth it.

01-14-2009 20:57:33 | More by cagocubs

jdlarkins

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$$

A classic just around the corner from the Catherdral and a five minute walk from the train station. Back in the fall of '97 I ate a nice wild game meal (boar?) and in 2007 stopped by quickly while on business.

One of several world classic pubs in Cologne and Dusseldorf, very different than Munich and the south. Kolsch beer is easy to drink for any beer drinker. Unique beer, glasses (.2 L) and waiters (called Kobes).

Huge place, packed with people, not too touristy but a little more expensive b/c of proximity to station and cathedral.

01-02-2009 03:17:38 | More by jdlarkins

ndolover

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$$

This is a must visit place when in Kolin.

There was indoor an outdoor seating, we chose outdoor. The place was packed but we managed to immediately find a seat. We ended up sharing the large table with some nice business men.

The service was brisk, which I did not expect. The customary .2 Liter glasses were used. With the quick execution of marking my coaster and constant replenishment of beer this seems to be the way to go. The Kolsch was wonderful. I have never had such a fresh Kolsh that was so well done. Of course, you only had that (and I believe and Paulaner wheat bier) to choose from...soo you better like it.

The food was simply prepared and wonderful. We had some light apps consisting of freash vegtables and cheese. Well done to say the least.

Overall, this was a great place to spend any length of time. You can not go wrong here.

11-27-2008 14:55:08 | More by ndolover

philipquarles

Louisiana

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

I arrived late one Sunday morning and didn't leave until that evening...

Fantastic atmosphere; very traditional brauhaus that seems like it hasn't changed since its opening. Despite its location just next to the Dom, the place was packed with locals; only a few tourists to be seen.

The service was excellent; the köbes were always there with fresh glasses and were quite friendly. I was drinking with a few regulars though, so this could have been exceptional.

As with any brauhaus in Köln, the selection was limited; hard to fault them on this.

Definitely my favorite place to have a kölsch in Köln.

09-20-2008 21:04:27 | More by philipquarles

therica

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

We had a wonderful time here on our last night in Cologne after a month. It was hunting-game season so they had all of the seasonal meats available, as well (Nov-Jan if I recall?).

The ambience is very much authentic. They have a good number of dining-rooms, and the restrooms are downstairs but worth the trip down the lovely staircase whether you need to use them, or not!

Waiting for a table during pre-Christmastook some time. Service was impeccable overall, however.

Beers are of course outstanding-- one of the top Kolsch's of Cologne. There's also a gift-shop next door, which sells various gift-packs of their Fruh beer and many other items.

If you can't find the place readily, go to Starbucks and look across the walkway ;-)

My favorite incident here was when I was puzzled by one of the seasonal-game items on the menu. I thought I'd tried all of them during the month, but I'd never seen this one, so I ordered it. When I was served, I asked the server (who spoke very little English) what it was. He thought, he paused, then he laughed and said, "BAMBI!" Yes it turned out to be baby-deer!

03-29-2008 00:03:27 | More by therica

foles

Australia

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$$

It was a foregone conclusion that we were going to visit this place!

Its a massive establishment, that seems to be very well run. As soon as you walk in the door, there is a area where the Kolsch is poured from the barrels. This is good fun to watch (tapping, and special lift for the barrels) and you can buy your beer there and then standing up. It's a bit of a tourist attraction, but an understandable one that is done well by Fruh.

The beer is very solid (fruity style of Kolsch), and the building is quite nice, and a bit windy/confusing with all the different rooms / restaurant areas.

The beer was a little expensive compared to other Koln pubs/breweries at Euro 1.55 for 0.2cl. Next door there is a shop that has some nice Fruh souvenirs amongst other things - I picked up a pair of cufflinks shaped like Fruh bottle caps.

01-15-2008 16:11:13 | More by foles

Goldorak

Quebec (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

After a pretty intense session in Antwerp, I was ready for something a bit lighter, so off we went to Köln. It was a Sunday, so pretty much everything outside of the touristy center around the Dom was closed. No matter, I wanted to to check this place out.

As you enter, the Kolsch barrel awaits you sitting on it's stand, a Köbes standing by for another to show up with his empty crown to fill. 3 Floors with different ambiances, we went for the non-smoking section on the ground floor, which had nice naval inspired paintings, hop vines on the walls and an open view to the fountain and street outside that was filled with people enjoying a cold one in the fair weather. Going downstairs you get to see the Bierkeller, the souvenir stand that sells everything from T-shirts to keg stands and even the actual faucets they use for the kegs. Keep going down and you'll find the refrigereated room where they keep the kegs extra-fricken cold.

Our waiter was exactly what we expected from a Köbes, not a very chatty guy - he didn't speak english anyway - but efficient and to the point, so in no time I had a stange filled with the local brew. I certainly did enjoy it, in fact my first one I downed almost immediately, but it wasn't my favorite in town. Obviously, selection is pretty limited, however my girlfriend did get a glass of wine, although a pretty generic one.

We were there for a quick snack only, our food was good, fairly large portions and well presented.

You could tell that this is the Kolsch house most frequented by the tourists, it's litterally a stone's throw from the Dom so prices are higher than everywhere else. But it's still well worth checking out, and the Beer is good.

09-25-2007 13:19:40 | More by Goldorak