A Beer Pilgramage

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

When I found out that my favorite beer type harkens from a nearby city, Cologne Germany, I couldn't resist the urge to drive over and get some. Plus it gave me the excuse to drive on the Autobahn, one of my favorite things we did from last year. Because Benz + fast = thrilling!

I found easy parking in a lot across the river and crossed the famous "love lock" bridge to get into the town's center. I took some time to look at the Cathedral and walk around a bit. It is a really impressive church.

Cologne, Germany

Hohenzollernbrücke bridge is lined with "love locks" - locks placed there by couples in love

This tradition has been going on since 2008 

The locks have added two tons of extra weight

The inside of the church is as impressive as the outside. I was hoping to walk to the top of the ,but it didn't look like it was open to the public when I was there so I peeked about inside and then headed out to look for a Kolsch-style beer.

Cologne Cathedral is one of the most impressive churches I have ever seen

After the church, I headed to the Fruh and Dom, a brewery/restaurant founded in 1904. I hit it right at opening time, so had the whole inside to myself for a bit. It was just what my tourist-self wanted in a German brauhaus: dark wood, old paintings and delicious, if not diminutive sized, Kolsch beer. Oh yeah, a brautwurst and sauerkraut. This was definitely worth a 1 hour and 26 minute drive. 

Fruh and Dom

Yummy!

So happy!

After lunch I walked around a bit more, hitting some shops and enjoying people watching.

Buildings along the river

I decided to hop off the highway on my return trip and visit the point where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet. It also happens to be the tallest point in the Netherlands. While the exact meeting point wasn't obvious to me, there was a lookout tower and really cool playground for kids. I continued my drive home along the countryside roads that were so lush and green and were just so beautiful to drive through. All and all, a great day!

Maybe the tri-country spot?