Beer has been brewed in Wiehl-Bielstein since 1900.
The 13.4-kilometre circular trail takes hikers to the spring that supplies the water for the beer from Bielstein. The hiker learns that malt, which is made from barley, determines both the color and the fullness of the beer's taste, as well as the secrets of hops and yeast.
The seven richly illustrated information boards along the way also explain why Kölsch is brewed in the heart of the Bergisches Land. Along the way, the "Beer Trail" hiker learns the difference between top-fermented and bottom-fermented beers, learns interesting facts about beers from all over the world and is amazed that even Kölsch and Altbier have something crucial in common. Meanwhile, one side effect of the trail cannot be ruled out: it can make hikers rather thirsty...
Part of the STREIFZUG runs along the "Bergischer Panoramasteig".
The trail has a total of 7 information boards. We would like to thank Rainer Schmidt, who looks after the trail as a volunteer trail patron.
ZUNFT KÖLSCH BEER CAVES:
FOR A COLD BEER DURING THE HIKE
For all those who don't want to carry a heavy cooler bag with them on their hike along the beer trail, but still want to drink a cool beer (or draught beer), there are now underground chilled bottles. So-called "hop caves" have been sunk into the ground at five locations. Each of these caves has space for 15 bottles of ZUNFT Kölsch, ZUNFT Sportsfreund or ZUNFT Fassbrause. Even in summer, the bottles (0.33 l) stay nice and cool underground.
You can book the filling of the caves at Gasthaus Kranenberg (Christian Kahl) Phone: 02262 7976598 or 0170 5929817 or info@haus-kranenberg.de. The price is 30 euros for a filled cave with 15 bottles. After booking, you will receive a numerical code with which you can open the lock in the floor. Then you can look forward to cooling off during the hike!
Please put the empty bottles back in the cave afterwards and take the crown caps with you. There is a bottle opener in the cave. Thank you!
