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