Beer History Storyline
Kölsch and Cologne
Follow Kölsch from Cologne’s protected top-fermented tradition through Sünner, the Kölsch Convention, regional serving culture, and European protection.
Chronological milestones
Sources and further references are available on each individual event page.
1603
Cologne Mandates Top-Fermented Brewing
1830
Franz Hess Establishes the Brewery That Becomes Sünner
1906
Sünner Introduces a Pale Top-Fermented Beer
1918
Sünner Advertises Its Beer as “Echt Kölsch”
June 25, 1985
Cologne Breweries Adopt the Kölsch Convention
November 25, 1997
Kölsch Receives European PGI Protection
2020
Lieber Waldi Is Founded in Cologne