Plan a Vacation
Ryan Joy Travel

A Friendly Beer Rivalry in the Rhine Valley

The Rivalry Between Kölsch and Altbier will Play Out During Clarkson’s Alumni Cruise!

When Clarkson Alumni visit Europe in the Fall of 2027, we’re going to see all the things (castles, cathedrals, and medieval towns), but we’re also going to get really familiar with the region’s super rich beer heritage.

I am fascinated by the fact that two cities sitting less than an hour apart have spent generations arguing about beer.

This is the very serious rivalry between Cologne and Düsseldorf.

During our Enchanting Rhine River Cruise, the AmaFiora will dock in Dusseldorf and we’ll have the opportunity to go to Cologne. In that port, you’ll have to decide which side of the argument you’re going to join. Will you take your taste buds to Cologne for a Kolsch or will you walk the streets of Dusseldorf looking for an Altbier.

The good news for us is that there isn’t a wrong choice and since we’re from the United States, I’m thinking we have a lot less invested in this unique rivalry between German cities.

That said, we’re going all the way to Germany, so we might as well try both beers, decide upon our preference, and then submit our two cents on the subject.

Of course, we’ll probably be split down the middle ourselves and annoy both cities in the process.

Below you’ll learn a little more about the beers that define these two cities.

Want to know a little more about the cruise, check out this article or this webinar recording.

Ready to sign up for the cruise, click any of the images here to go to the trip landing page or just contact me (Ryan Joy ’06) by email or phone.

Some Basic Details

The cruise takes us along the Enchanting Rhine from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Holland.

Dates: 11/13/27 – 11/20/27

Ship: The Brand New AmaFiora

Have a Kolsch in Cologne!

Cologne 🇩🇪

The Home of Kölsch

Cologne (Köln in German) is famous for two things:

  1. Its massive Gothic cathedral
  2. Kölsch beer

Kölsch is light, crisp, refreshing, and easy-drinking. It’s brewed like an ale but drinks almost like a lager. And in Cologne, they are very protective of it.

In fact, Kölsch has actual protected status in Germany. To officially be called Kölsch, it has to be brewed in or around Cologne.

I guess that means German’s treat Kölsch in the same manner that the French treat Champagne.

What Makes Kölsch Different?

  • Light and crisp
  • Bright golden color
  • Smooth and approachable
  • Served in small 200mL glasses called Stanton
  • Designed to stay cold and fresh

Watch out because rumor has it servers in Cologne beer halls will keep bringing you another Kölsch automatically until you place a coaster on top of your glass. I think we’ll test this for research purposes.

Famous Kölsch Breweries to Know 🍺

Früh Kölsch

Probably the most famous Kölsch brand visitors encounter in Cologne. Their beer hall near the cathedral is legendary.

Reissdorf Kölsch

A favorite among locals. Slightly maltier and often considered a more traditional expression of Kölsch.

Gaffel Kölsch

One of the largest and most recognizable Kölsch producers. Easy-drinking and incredibly popular.

Päffgen Kölsch

The beer nerd pick. Served from wooden barrels and harder to find outside Cologne.

Have an Altbier in Dusseldorf!

Düsseldorf 🇩🇪

Where Altbier Rules

Now let’s travel north to Düsseldorf, where locals would like you to know that Kölsch is “fine, I guess.”

Because real beer, according to Düsseldorf, is Altbier.

Altbier (“old beer”) is darker, maltier, and more copper-colored than Kölsch. It has richer flavors and a little more bitterness.

If Kölsch feels refreshing and easygoing, Altbier feels deeper and more serious. Let’s not assume that’s any sort of underlying commentary on each city’s residents.

What Makes Altbier Different?

  • Copper to amber color
  • Malt-forward flavor
  • Slightly nutty and bitter
  • More traditional brewing style
  • Richer body than Kölsch

And Düsseldorf locals are fiercely loyal to it.

You’ll even hear jokes that Düsseldorf bars won’t serve Kölsch and Cologne bars won’t serve Altbier.

That’s not really true, but the rivalry does exist.

Famous Altbier Breweries to Know 🍺

Uerige

Bold, bitter, and unapologetically traditional. This is probably the most famous Altbier brewery.

Füchschen

A little smoother and slightly more approachable while still deeply rooted in Düsseldorf tradition.

Schumacher Alt

Often credited as one of the oldest Altbier breweries in the city.

Zum Schlüssel

A classic Düsseldorf beer hall experience with loyal local followings.

So… Which One Is Better?

Come with us and find out. Drinks are personal, so given what you now know, you can probably already zero in on which one you’re going to like better. The only question is now whether you’re ready to put your taste buds to the test!

Ready to sign up for the cruise, click any of the images here to go to the trip landing page or just contact me (Ryan Joy ’06) by email or phone.

Why This Makes the Rhine Cruise So Fun

I’ve done river cruises before where there were tastings (wine, liquor, etc), but now that I’m doing a Beer Themed cruise, its fun to get into the culture, heritage, and  apparently the culinary rivalries that truly define the regions.

At this one port, we have the opportunity to get to know the personalities of two cities, taste their beers, see their culture through this rivalry, and lend our own voice to the argument.

It may well be the story we leave behind in the Rhine valley.

I know I can’t wait to stand in the shadow of Cologne’s gothic cathedral drinking a stangen of Kolsch only to have an Altbier in Dusseldorf a few hours later.

The memory of something I haven’t even done yet has begun to take form.

I hope to CU there!

Share this: