Ever wondered where Cologne’s oldest brewery resides? Here it is. Brauerei Sünner stands before us a testament to Cologne’s brewing heritage. Founded in 1830, Sünner Brauerei is not just a brewery. It is a living piece of Cologne’s industrial history.
Let’s take a closer look at the building. Notice the three-story brick building. It was built between 1888 and 1890. Yellow bricks adorn the street side. They add a touch of elegance to the structure. Look up to the stepped gables. They display the coats of arms of Kalk and Deutz. These are nods to the brewery’s location and history.
See that large window in the ground floor? It offers a peek inside. You can spot the copper brewing pan. Above the central arched windows on the upper floor, you will read “Zechenbrauerei”. This is flanked by mining symbols. They are a reminder of the brewery’s origins. The brewery used water from an old mine.
Brauerei Sünner started with Franz Hess in Deutz. He was Christian Sünner’s brother-in-law. The brewery was then called “Zum Schiffgen”. It was near the only bridge over the Rhine at the time. Christian Sünner took over in 1846 after Hess died.
To meet rising demand, Sünner bought land in Kalk in 1858. It was from a brown coal mine owner. The mine’s water was perfect for brewing. The mine buildings became storage rooms. By 1900, Brauerei Sünner produced 70000 hectoliters of beer.
Brauerei Sünner suffered damage during World War II. The original building in Deutz was destroyed. It was never rebuilt. However, the Kalk brewery was rebuilt and modernized by the 1950s.
In 2009, Sünner opened the Sünner-Keller next to the beer garden. This space in the historic cellars is used for events. Sünner offers brewery and distillery tours. These start and end in the Sünner-Keller.
The Sünner family ran the brewery for generations. Astrid Schmitz-DuMont led it until 2021. Sünner was known for its Kölsch and other beers. They also produced spirits. The brewery even had its own spring water.
In 2022, Brauerei zur Malzmühle took over Sünner. The Sünner brand remains. The beer production was moved to Kalk.
Sünner uses local barley and hops from Hallertau for its beers. They use their own yeast and well water. The open fermentation process removes unwanted substances. This careful method is rare in Cologne today.
Brauerei Sünner also makes spirits. These mature in the vaulted cellar under the distillery. They produce gin and limoncello.
Brauerei Sünner has a rich history and traditions. It stands as Cologne’s oldest brewery. The brewery provides a taste of the city’s brewing legacy. Its buildings tell stories of innovation. They survived wars and family dedication. Today, Brauerei Sünner continues to brew quality beer and spirits.