der Kölner kommt

gerne zu früh.

The ORIGINAL

Since 1904

 

Some things never change. And that is a good thing. Since 1904 our family owned brewery has stood for authentic Cologne brewing craftsmanship. We still brew according to the original recipe created by our founder, Peter Josef Früh, giving FRÜH Kölsch its smooth and distinctive taste. Today, the fifth generation continues to run the brewery with the same passion and ambition to brew the best Kölsch in Cologne. 

THE original

Since 1904, we have brewed FRÜH according to Peter Josef Früh´s original recipe.

 

A true Cologne classic.

FamilY-Owned

Today, the fifth generation of the FRÜH family leads our family owned brewery.

 

Family owned for generations.

KNOW-HOW

Our brewing team knows the craft inside out and passes its experience on to the next generation.

 

So great Kölsch stays great.

Home

We love Cologne and the surrounding region, and support projects and clubs that make our home a better place to live.

 

For our community.

Brewing Craftsmanship meets modern technology.

 

Over 120 years of Früh.

 

For more than 120 years, FRÜH Kölsch has stood for Cologne brewing tradition and the Cologne way of life. It all began in 1904, when Peter Josef Früh opened his brewery and brewhouse close to Cologne Cathedral. Today, Cölner Hofbräu FRÜH has become a true part of Cologne’s history.

Now in its fifth generation, our family owned brewery is still driven by the same passion for beer, brewing craftsmanship and Cologne hospitality. 

 

Our original recipe from 1904 has remained unchanged and is still passed down from generation to generation, and from brewer to brewer. The result is a smooth, top fermented Kölsch with the distinctive FRÜH taste.

To keep it that way, we rely on experience, brewing expertise and the highest quality standards. Every batch reflects what has shaped FRÜH since the days of Peter Josef Früh: quality, professionalism and care, always true to our family tradition.

ModeRN Brewing, classic Taste.

 

As demand for FRÜH Kölsch grew, production moved from its original location near Cologne Cathedral to our brewery in Cologne Feldkassel in the 1980s. Here, we have everything we need to brew our Kölsch with care, give it the right time to mature and fill it in bottles or kegs for different occasions.

So every FRÜH tastes just as it should.

Perfect Location, well connected.

 

We chose our location in the north of Cologne for its convenient transport links. Feldkassel is right by the Cologne motorway ring, helping us keep routes short and deliveries quick, so your FRÜH always arrives fresh.

 

ouR BRewing process

 

Discover how FRÜH Kölsch is brewed, step by step, with craftsmanship, tradition and the character of Cologne.
This is how Cologne tastes. This is FRÜH.

1

Mashing

Where FRÜH Kölsch begins. 

Before barley becomes beer, the brewing process starts with mashing. At our brewery in Cologne, the barley malt is first milled and then mixed with water in the mash tun. The mixture is heated in several stages. Natural enzymes in the malt break down the starch in the grain and turn it into malt sugar. By choosing and combining the right malts, our brewers shape the strength, colour and smooth taste of FRÜH Kölsch. Once the mash is ready, it moves on to the next step - lautering.

2

Lautering

The wort becomes clear

In the lauter tun, the solid parts of the mash are separated from the liquid. The solid parts are called spent grain and mainly consist of the husks and other parts of the barley that do not dissolve in water. The liquid part is called wort and contains the sugars and other soluble ingredients from the malt. The first wort flows from the lauter tun into the kettle. After that, hot water is added to the spent grain to wash out the remaining sugars and flavours. This helps us use as much of the malt as possible. The spent grain that is left over is given to local farms, where it is used as animal feed. Once the lautering process is complete, the wort moves on to the next step and is boiled in the kettle.

3

Boiling

Hops meet heat

Now things heat up. The liquid is boiled in the kettle and the hops are added. The type and amount of hops help shape the final taste of the Kölsch. More hops create a stronger and more bitter flavour, while less hops keep the taste milder. Boiling also helps prepare the beer for the next stages. Unwanted flavours are removed and excess proteins are separated from the liquid. At the same time, some of the water evaporates until the right concentration is reached. The liquid then moves into the whirlpool, where it starts to spin. This allows any remaining particles to collect at the bottom and be removed. After cooling, the liquid is pumped into the fermentation tank, where top fermented yeast is added and fermentation begins.

4

Fermentation and Maturation

Where Kölsch becomes FRÜH

During fermentation, the yeast turns the malt sugar into alcohol and CO2. Some of the CO2 stays in the beer and gives it its fresh, sparkling character. The rest is collected and reused. The temperature is carefully controlled throughout the process. At first, the yeast rises to the top. Once fermentation is complete, it settles at the bottom and is removed. It can be reused up to three times before being passed on to local farms as animal feed. After fermentation, the young beer is cooled and left to mature for around three weeks. During this time, the remaining sugars continue to ferment, the beer develops its carbonation and becomes naturally clear. This is when FRÜH Kölsch develops its balanced taste.

5

Filtration 

Clear and ready to enjoy

After maturation, FRÜH Kölsch goes through several filtration steps. This gives the beer its clear appearance, fresh taste and good shelf life. First, a centrifuge removes the remaining yeast from the beer. The collected yeast is then passed on to local farms and used as animal feed. Next, a separator removes other small particles that can make the beer cloudy. For the finer filtration, we use a taste neutral filter aid that is partly recycled. It helps remove even the smallest particles without changing the flavour of the beer. A final filtration step gives FRÜH Kölsch its bright and clear appearance. The result is a smooth and balanced FRÜH Kölsch.

6

Packaging 

Ready to be enjoyed

Once FRÜH Kölsch has finished maturing, it is ready to be filled. Depending on the occasion, it is available in bottles, party kegs and professional kegs, so there is a suitable option for enjoying FRÜH at home, at a barbecue, at an event or freshly tapped in a brewhouse. You can find an overview of all available packaging sizes and formats here.

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Quality assurance

 The standards behind Kölsch.

So what exactly makes a Kölsch a Kölsch? Which beers are allowed to carry the name, and what rules apply to how they are brewed? Since 1985, this has been clearly defined by the Kölsch Convention.

KÖLSCH 

CONVENTION

Why Kölsch belongs to Cologne.

 

The Kölsch Convention was officially published on the 25th of June 1985 and sets the standards a beer must meet to be called Kölsch. Since then, the breweries of Cologne Brewers Association, including FRÜH, have followed these rules to protect the quality and origin of Kölsch. The Convention also protects Kölsch from imitation, and its regional origin has been recognised by both the German Federal Cartel Office and the European Comission. Kölsch must be brewed according to the German Purity Law. It is pale, clear, top fermented and known for its fresh hop character. In other words: just like a FRÜH Kölsch.

German beer purity law

Quality assurance since 1516

 

When we brew FRÜH Kölsch, one principle has always mattered: quality starts with the ingredients. That means selected barley malt, aromatic hops and fresh brewing water.This approach goes back to our founder, Peter Josef Früh, who developed his own recipe in 1904. FRÜH Kölsch is still brewed according to the German Purity Law. Its origin date back to 1516, when Duke Wilhelm IV ruled that beer should be made from barley, hops and water. Yeast was added later, and the Purity Law became part of German law in 1906. Since 2005, the German Beer Ordinance has also defined different categories and names for “beer”. For us, the Purity Law is more than a set of rules. It is part of our Cologne brewing tradition and an important part of the FRÜH taste.
 

Certifications

FRÜH Kölsch is brewed with carefully selected barley malt, aromatic hops and fresh brewing water. The recipe goes back to our founder, Peter Josef Früh, who delevoped it in 1904.

 

Our brewing process also meets the requirements of Slow Brewing, while Früh Sport Fassbrause carries the V label for vegan products.

SLOW BREWING
Vegan Label
PGI LABEL

QUALITY takes time. 

Slow Brewing is more than a method for FRÜH. It is part of how we have brewed our Kölsch for generations. Since 1904, we have given our beer the time it needs to develope its clear, balanced taste. Carefully selected ingredients, traditional brewing craftsmanship and plenty of time for fermentation and maturation all come together to create the distinctive quality of FRÜH Kölsch. Since 2014, FRÜH has been the only Kölsch brewery to carry the Slow Brewing seal, reflecting the care, time and attention that goes into every brew. 

 

Learn More

Vegan Label


The V-Label is an internationally recognized certification for tested vegan and vegetarian products. Products carrying the label are clearly identified, carefully checked and fully traceable.  Clear standards apply throughout all stages of production and processing, giving consumers greater transparency, guidance and confidence when choosing vegan or vegetarian products.

 

FRÜH Sport Fassbrause, which contains 45% FRÜH Kölsch Alcohol Free 0.0%, carries internationally recognized V-Label. This means it has been carefully checked, is clearly labelled and meets the requirements for a fully vegan product.

PGI Quality Label

 

The PGI logo awarded by the European Union stands for Protected Geographical Indication. It confirms that a product comes from a clearly defined region and is produced there according to specific requirements. For Kölsch, this means genuine regional origin, verified quality and traditional brewing craftsmanship from Cologne. The label protects the identity of the original product and gives consumers confidence in what they are buying.

Discover the world of FRÜH.

 

Where FRÜH feels at home.

 

Come and visit us in Cologne. Enjoy a freshly tapped Kölsch at our traditional brewhouse by Cologne Cathedral, relax in the beer garden, stay at the “Eden Hotel am Dom” with views across the city, or stop by one of our cosy neighbourhood pubs. Whatever the occasion, there is always a FRÜH place to enjoy.

 

discover now

Tastes 

great.

 

FRÜH´s product range


Whatever the occasion, there is a FRÜH to match. Grab one from the kiosk, keep a few at home, share them with friends or serve a whole team. From small everyday moments to bigger occasions, a summer walk or a visit to a restaurant or brewhouse, there is always a reason to enjoy FRÜH. Especially FRÜH.

 

Explore the range