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Craft Beer Bonn
Anyone planning a city trip to the Rhine today can no longer ignore the hoppy trend. In hardly any other German city are microbreweries sprouting up as rapidly as in Bonn. The special highlight: from our vacation apartment in Oberwinter, you can reach all the hotspots in under 30 minutes – and still get a heavenly night’s sleep after the tour. Let’s dive in and plan your perfect beer night!
Why craft beer is booming in Bonn right now
Since 2020, the number of independent brewers in the Bonn area has almost doubled. Studies by the German Brewers Association show that young travelers in particular are specifically searching for “beer experiences” – a search term that has recently increased by 37% in the Rhineland according to Google Trends. Bonn benefits from its university scene, an international audience and short distances between the old town, the banks of the Rhine and the federal district. Visitors appreciate the mix of Rhineland coziness and hip taprooms: wooden barrel meets neon, Kölsch meets New England IPA. Fun fact: Bonn’s first craft brewery brewed its pilot season in a former nuclear bunker under the Venusberg!
Route at a glance: Five breweries, five times the pleasure
Our pleasure loop starts at Bonn main station – ideal if you are traveling from Oberwinter on the Mittelrheinbahn. 1) Ale Mania Taproom: creative IPAs, 16 taps, self-service. 2) Bönnsch Brauhaus: amber-colored Bönnsch in a bulbous glass – obligatory photo! 3) Brewhouse at the market: classic Helles and seasonal brews, plus Rhenish tapas. 4) BrewFellas Bonn: 200 international bottles, 8 changing taps – this is where the nerd heart beats. 5) Insel Brauerei pop-up at Alter Zoll: summer location with a view of the Siebengebirge. The distance between the stops is only 2.4 km in total – perfect for a leisurely stroll along the illuminated alleyways.
Logistics & safety: public transport, e-scooters and the way home to Oberwinter
Line66 takes you to Oberwinter every 15 minutes until midnight. After that, many guests take the hourly night bus N3 to Remagen. E-scooters from Tier and Voi are a nimble alternative – but the zone ends at the Museum Mile. Tip: park the scooter there, treat yourself to a water and then take the train. For the very late hours, our 24/7 key safe is waiting in Oberwinter – you can find more information here. Another plus point: In Bonn, glass is only banned during carnival, so growler fills are allowed.
Brewery portraits: classic meets experiment
Ale Mania – founded by Fritz Wülfing, who holds a doctorate in biology – uses Kveik yeast and hop tamping at -1 °C. Bönnsch, on the other hand, sticks to the tried-and-tested top-fermented method and serves its beer with a gas balloon tapping system. The brewhouse is currently experimenting with a sourdough stout in which surplus bread leftovers from a Bonn bakery are fermented – circular economy live! BrewFellas cooperates with US breweries such as Other Half and regularly has collab cans. At Alter Zoll, on the other hand, Berliner Weisse is served with elderflower – perfect for hot evenings on the Rhine. Each establishment offers tastings from €25; you can book conveniently by email or via ‘CraftPlaces’.
Practical tips: Reservation, budget & dog on a leash
– Reservations: Friday and Saturday at least one week in advance by telephone – especially for groups >6 people. – Budget: Expect to pay €6 per 0.4 l specialty beer; a complete flight board (5×0.1 l) costs around €12. – Snacks: You can bring pretzels or snacks to all establishments – this saves time between stops. – Have a dog with you? Welcome at Ale Mania and Alter Zoll; at Sudhaus only in the outdoor area. – Intermediate CTA: Secure your cozy base in Oberwinter now and stroll to the train without rushing.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a hop-head or a newbie – the craft beer tour through Bonn is tasty proof that the Rhine metropolis can do more than just Kölsch. Thanks to the fast train connection, you can return to your vacation apartment in the countryside relaxed after an evening full of taste explosions.
