You don’t have to be a beer snob to know that Düsseldorf has some of the best breweries in Germany. But it can be hard to find which places are worth visiting if you’re not sure what you want. The good news is, we did all the research for you and these are our top picks.
Düsseldorf is a marvelous city with a plethora of great beer halls and breweries. The main attraction here for beer is altbier breweries.
Dusseldorf Beers: An Introduction to Altbier
The most popular Dusseldorf beer is undoubtedly the distinctive altbier, which is found all over the city. The colors are dark brown and copper, and they give it a look that’s similar to English pale ale. Despite its harsh flavor, it has a more refreshing and less acidic taste.
Altbier is a very pleasant, rich, and complex brew. It’s ideal for any occasion, whether it’s an afternoon or a night on the town.
However, be careful with a strength of around 5%. It is slightly stronger than standard beers.
Sticke. Altbier
Besides standard alt-biers, the brewery occasionally produces seasonal variants. “Stikke’s” (or “sticks'”) are considerably stronger than usual (about 7-8% alcohol by volume).
Sweet, hoppier, darker altbiers are also known as high-alcohol beers. They’re more dangerous since they have a lot of alcohol. Interestingly, they typically cost less than normal beer and provide a better value.
The term stick implies a hidden item and you won’t be able to access them right away. If they exist, they may be reached by requesting a specific amount.
Dusseldorf Pilsen
There is, however, one truly flavorful beer alternative available at conventional pubs. Many beer enthusiasts will be familiar with the brew. It’s a well-known pale beer made using technologies that have largely replaced old processes.
Finally, you have no choice in the brand you’re given; it’s whatever they’ve got. Order a Pillow if necessary. The culture of Düsseldorf is an essential and distinctive component that should not be overlooked.
History of Altbier in Düsseldorf
Altbier is a type of beer that was first brewed in the city of Düsseldorf, Germany. The name “altbier” means “old beer”, and this style of beer is characterized by its amber color and malty flavor. Altbier is typically brewed using top-fermenting yeast, and it undergoes a long, cold aging process which results in a smooth, drinkable beer.
If you’re looking for a brewery that specializes in altbier, then you should check out the Zum Uerige Brewery. This brewery has been in operation since 1862, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Düsseldorf.
The brewery is located in the old town of Düsseldorf, and it offers tours and beer tastings.
How do the Altbier Breweries Work in Düsseldorf?
The drinking system at Düsseldorf breweries will probably differ drastically depending on where you live. We hadn’t encountered this one before but were slightly confused at first because it’s not like the traditional Bavarian brewery experience.
We were excited to visit the city’s Altstadt and taste some legendary altbier that we’ve come across particularly at a nice beer garden.
But in Düsseldorf, they serve altbier in small glasses and continue refilling you until you say no or put your coast on top of your own beer. Hey, I wasn’t complaining. Plus, forget about keeping a tab on a traditional computer. Here, they just mark your beer count on your coaster.
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Best Breweries That Brew Onsite in Düsseldorf, Germany
The best feature of Alpbier is that it’s made right here in Dusseldorf at the city’s most local pubs. They frequently serve this straight away. It’s the freshest in the world.
There have been several pubs throughout history that have brewed their own beer, but today there are only four left. Almost every other food and drink establishment in the city serves Altbier from one of these sources.
All beer brewing companies offer German food that complements altbier. Traditional German dishes such as black pudding apple and potato, pork knuckle, and bratwurst were all consistent selections available on the food menus. Let’s get into the top breweries in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Brewery Schumacher
Brewery Schumacher was established in 1838 and is located in Oststraße. It is one of Düsseldorf’s independent breweries. It is also one of the oldest breweries in Düsseldorf.
The brewery offers three types of beer – the Schumacher Alt, the Schumacher Latzenbier and the Schumacher 1838s.
The Schumacher Alt is the oldest altbier in Düsseldorf and is still being made with the Schumacher family recipe. The malt mixture, rounded aroma, strong foam, and rounded bitterness come together nicely to give this beer a classic feel. It has an alcohol content of 4.6% vol.
It comes in 1-liter bottles, oak barrels, and plastic-coated stainless steel barrels of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 50 liters. The Schumacher Latzenbier has a 5.5% vol. alcohol content. It is stronger than the Schumacher Alt and contains increased original wort as well as malt. The Latzenbier is usually served only on the third Thursday of November, September, and March in bottles available in limited numbers.
The Schumacher 1838 is brewed with aroma hops from Canada and Australia. It is a fruity and top-fermented beer with an alcohol content of 5.0% vol. Since the 175th anniversary of Brewery Schumacher, the Latzenbier has been brewed and sold in 1-liter bottles.
See Related: Best Breweries in Cologne, Germany
The Kurzer Brewery
The Kurzer Brewery began operation in 2010. It is owned by Hans-Peter Schwemin and situated on Kurz Strazze in the old town of Düsseldorf. The brewery produces Kurzer Alt; which is fine-textured, impressively malty, and topped off with a smoothed bitterness to give a full-bodied and flavored beer.
The Kurzer Brewery is known as the youngest brewery in Düsseldorf and it constantly reiterates this fact. Hans-Peter Schwemin opened the brewery with the intention of adding a modern layer to traditional beer making.
This modern layer shows in the décor of the brewery bar as it is decked in exposed brick walls and light wood, giving it a contemporary trendy feel.
The food served here also follows the urban trendy style. Kurzer’s menu contains more dishes like pulled pork, burgers, and wraps rather than traditional German food.
The beer in Kurzer is brewed directly on-site, in the rear part of the guest room, right in the pub. This means guests get the opportunity to watch the master brewer do what he does best with the Kurzer beer. Kurzer Alt beer is available in bottles and can be purchased in Kurzer’s Brewery as well as several stores in Düsseldorf town.
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Füchschen Brewery
Füchschen Brewery began brewing beer as far back as 1640 in a small alehouse. Then in 1848, the brewery officially became Füchschen Alt Brewery. This is by far my favorite German altbier and traditional altbier brewpub.
The Füchschen brewery is situated in a big old building close to several renowned art galleries in the city of Düsseldorf. Its space is open and huge with dark-colored wooden beams. There are high tables outside the brewery for punters to stand on during good weather.
The brewery offers Füchschen altbier, Füchschen pilsner, party kegs, Füchschen non-alcoholic and Füchschen Christmas beer.
Füchschen alt beer is malt-filled and light on the palate. It is made with caramel malts and has an aesthetically appealing copper color. Füchschen pilsner is made with flowery aroma hops and bitter malt. It fuses tartness and tenderness into its taste.
Füchschen non-alcoholic is a refreshing brew for those who want the taste of altbier without the alcohol. The Füchschen Christmas beer is tapped every Christmas eve in a limited quantity and served in a special sommelier beer glass. It is brewed with caramel and dried fruit to give it a rounded bitterness.
This special Christmas beer is stronger than the regular Füchschen alt beer and has an alcohol content of 5.2 vol. You can also get Füchschen’s 5l disposable party kegs for both Füchschen alt and Füchschen pils as collector items.
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Zum Schlussel Brewery
In 1936, Karl Gatzweller inherited the Zum Schlussel Brewery from Josef Aders, a brewer. Together with Maria, his wife, and sons – Simon and Jakob, the brewery became a family business.
Over time, Zum Schlüssel Brewery has amassed hundreds of years’ worth of brewing experience.
In 1990, after extensive, in-depth, and extended renovation, the brewery Zum Schlüssel was opened as a venue for people from various walks of life could come together to socialize.
It quickly grew in popularity; as the brewery combined old tradition and history with modern standards while maintaining the high standard top-fermented beer brew they were and are still renowned for.
Zum Schlüssel Brewery is situated on one of the busiest streets in Alstadt. It is also known as the smallest traditional brewery in old town Düsseldorf and the beautiful golden kettle is right there when you walk in.
A particularly enjoyable feature of the Zum Schlüssel Brewery is its huge beer garden in the churchyard just across the brewery. The garden is situated right underneath the beautiful Neanderkirche yellow tower. With the ambiance and lovely environmental attraction, it is a nice place to sip and enjoy a Schlusse altbier.
Zum Schlussel Brewery offers the Schlüssel Original Alt and the Stike-Alt beer (which is specially made in the brewery every Monks day). Check out these best breweries in Cologne to visit.
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Alter Banhof Brewery
Since railway operations ceased in 1972, the grounds of the Oberkassel train station have been used for commercial purposes. Presently, the incredible building that was formerly used for the railway station, houses one of the youngest breweries in Düsseldorf.
Alter Banhof Brewery has been in operation since 2011. Its interior is built with mostly wood and copper to provide a sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing décor.
The exterior is also refined and pleasing to the eyes. When you pay the brewery a visit, you can spot the copper kettles used to brew the altbier directly in the heart of the pub. Gulasch Alt is the signature beer produced by the Alter Banhof brewery.
It derived its name from the owner’s love of the meal Goulash. Gulasch Alt is known for its rich bursting flavor and excellent taste. It is also impressively amber-colored with a nice foamy top to round off its body.
Gulasch Alt beer is brewed with a malts aroma, a bit of grass, and some caramel, which give it a considerably more bitter taste than a regular altbier. The drums in the brewery range from 10 liters to 50 liters and you can also pick up a keg to take home.
Uerige Brewery
Since 1862, Uerige Brewery has been making top-fermented beers in Düsseldorf’s old town. This brewery is one of the oldest in Düsseldorf and is known for producing the most bitter of beers in its locale.
The Uerige Alt is made from hops, water, caramel malt, roasted malt, and barley malt. It is popular for its distinctive yet enjoyable bitterness, full-bodied taste, and aromatic flavor.
Uerige brewery also produces a Fassbrause, a Weissbier, and two special season stickes as well as its usual alt beer.
Inside the Uerige Pub is traditional décor and paneling made of dark wood. The pub is much bigger than it looks from the outside. It extends down a maze of rooms and essentially takes up the whole block it is situated on.
The Uerige brewery also has a distillery where beer schnapps is produced in a limited number. Beer schnapps is basically beer that has been distilled to a considerably strong alcoholic level.
Uerige brewery calls this beer Stickum. This Uerige beer schnapps tastes like a cognac or malt whisky with notes of the beer. It is available in eight distinct varieties, each one aged in separate barrels for differing years.
However, because of licensing laws, you can only get Stickums on Friday and Saturday in the pub.
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Best Restaurants That Brew Altbier or Craft Beer
Hitchcoq
Hitchcoq is a well-known restaurant located in Nordstrabe 30, 40477 Düsseldorf Germany. Best known for its tasty, cooked-to-perfection chicken, Hitchcoq boasts of a 5-star reputation in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The founders insist that the inspiration for the restaurant’s best-selling dish, chicken, was the Nashville style of preparing chicken. The chicken is generally pickled for 24 hours before being fried carefully. This results in a crispy exterior and spicy juicy interior in the fried chicken.
Hitchcoq, founded by Fabian and Ben, is unique because it doubles as a brewery and a restaurant.
The owners of this Düsseldorf microbrewery claim that it is the smallest in the city, producing both beer and wine. They grow grapes using organic plants, with no additions. Craft beer and local beer enthusiasts have shown their appreciation for this part of their business.
The name ‘Hitchcoq’ was coined from two sources. Hitchcock was a brilliant filmmaker who created movies filled with suspense while ‘coq’ is the French rooster.
With a memorable name, a warm, cozy space, a delightful menu, and the best wine and beers offered in all Düsseldorf, Hitchcoq stands as a favorite amongst locals and tourists.
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Brauhaus Joh Albrecht
Düsseldorf Germany has many charms and lovely spaces for nourishing locals and visitors. One of the cozy delights is Brauhaus Joh Albrecht.
It is a five-star restaurant and brewery located in Niederkasseler Strasse 104, 40547, Düsseldorf Germany. Though they make a mean cuisine, they are also known as a brewery that makes tasty beers that are served at just the right temperature.
The brewery offers homemade lager beers brewed in-house as well as those brewed by a neighboring house, Schmittmann. Schmittmann specializes in schnapps and liqueur.
The menu of the restaurant features delicious homemade meals and although it’s relatively light, everyone can choose something to eat. The space is comfortable and enclosed with an excellent ambiance that creates nostalgia and the feeling of having a large family dinner.
There is a garden on the grounds and a wonderful staff. Brauhaus Joh is a great place for both locals and visitors to find respite any time, any day. There are other branches in different states. You can find one in Hamburg, Konstanz, Soltau, and Bielefeld. What are your favorite breweries in Germany?
FAQ
What does Altbier taste like?
The altbier is equally balanced with the aromas it brings. No sweet taste. The aroma of toasty and malting is crisp and clean. You’d have to have an extra bit of hoppy bitterness in your tongue.
What is a German Altbier?
German Altbier is a high fermentation with longer brews of beer from the North-Rhine Westphalia region that became popular throughout the Rhineland.
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