Brewery etiquette

Insider tips for your first visit to our brewery

Köbes, Zappes & Baas: the magic of our team

You won’t find ordinary waiters at Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel. Here you will meet the Köbes, Zappes and Baas – three unique roles that shape our brewery experience.

Jens Prüss described it perfectly in his book: The Köbes embodies the Rhenish original. The Köbes is your companion on your journey through the brewery. With a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile, he serves you your fresh Altbier. Traditionally, Köbesse are considered to be direct and unpolished personalities, reflecting a heritage that goes back to the days when they acted as robust brewing servants rather than specially trained service staff. Today, our ambition is to preserve the authentic role of the Köbes while meeting modern service standards to ensure a satisfying experience for every guest.

The Zappes is the man behind the tap who masterfully conjures up the liquid gold, our Altbier, into the glass. He knows his craft and ensures that you are always served the perfect draught beer. His skill and his pride in our beers are reflected in every glass.

The Baas is the boss of the brewery and watches over everything that goes on. He is not only responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly, but also for preserving tradition. His experience and commitment are the cornerstone of the quality you experience here.

Pure Altbier enjoyment: outdoor bar tables

In Düsseldorf’s breweries, Altbier is enjoyed outdoors – regardless of hot or cold weather. Our outdoor bar tables make beer drinking a sociable event, surrounded by the vibrant atmosphere of the old town. The fresh Altbier flows from the tap and the Köbes brings you your next beer without being asked; as long as your beer mat is not on top of your glass.

This unique way of drinking Altbier is not just a tradition, but a social experience that you can share with locals and visitors alike. This is where friendships are made, stories are told and the Düsseldorf attitude to life is celebrated.

Culinary highlights: Bierhappen and more

After several glasses of Altbier, you will soon be hungry – that’s why our kitchen has delicious surprises in store for you. Discover our traditional Bierhappen, such as Röggelchen (rye bread rolls) with minced pork and onions or tasty cheese. These small snacks are perfectly matched to our Altbier for a harmonious flavour experience. If you have a bigger appetite, you can also order hearty dishes to accompany your Altbier. A variety of Rhineland specialities await you here, perfect for sharing and rounding off your brewery experience with a culinary highlight.

Tipping culture: thanks for first-class service

At our brewery, tipping is not compulsory, but a gesture of appreciation for our service. We are grateful for every tip, whether you round up to the nearest euro or offer a more generous amount. This recognition shows that you are satisfied with our service and want to express your gratitude. Your tip goes directly to our team and supports the people who make your Brauhaus experience unforgettable.

Weitere Besonderheiten bei Zum Schlüssel

Stike-Alt – Unsere saisonale Spezialität

Bei Zum Schlüssel wird die Bierbrautradition lebendig durch unser besonderes Original Schlüssel Stike-Alt. Dieses einzigartige Altbier wird zweimal jährlich gebraut und zeichnet sich durch seinen höheren Alkoholgehalt aus. Diese spezielle Altbier-Variante ist inspiriert von einer Brautradition der Mönche, was ihr einen besonderen historischen Charakter verleiht und sie zu einer exklusiven Spezialität in unserem Sortiment macht.

Biergarten – Ein verborgenes Juwel in historischer Kulisse

Unser Biergarten, gelegen im Kirchhof der gegenüberliegenden Neanderkirche, ist mehr als nur ein Ort zum Biertrinken. Er ist eine Oase inmitten der lebhaften Düsseldorfer Altstadt. Hier können Gäste in einer ruhigen und grünen Umgebung entspannen und dabei die lokale Atmosphäre erleben. Der Biergarten ist ein idealer Rückzugsort, um in historischem Ambiente unser Original Schlüssel Alt und lokale Köstlichkeiten zu genießen.

an den Kasematten – Genuss mit Rheinblick

Am Düsseldorfer Rheinufer, mit einem wunderschönen Blick auf den Rhein, erleben Gäste direkt an den Kasematten den puren Genuss unseres Original Schlüssels, ergänzt durch kulinarische Highlights. Diese Location garantiert nicht nur eine atemberaubende Aussicht, sondern auch ein Urlaubsgefühl mitten in der Stadt. Es ist der perfekte Ort, um die Schönheit des Rheins zu genießen, während man sich kulinarisch verwöhnen lässt.

Making sure you don’t go thirsty since 1850

Altbier and tradition

The key to the perfect brewery experience in Düsseldorf

What is Altbier?

Altbier, the heart of our brewery, is a top-fermented beer that is characterised by its intense colour and unique taste. We owe this characteristic to the roasted malt used during the brewing process. Altbier gets its name from the traditional “old” brewing method it uses. Unlike most modern bottom-fermented beers, Altbier is top-fermented, which means that it is fermented at higher temperatures. This top-fermented brewing technique is one of the oldest and was widely used before the development of bottom-fermented brewing techniques in the 19th century. Altbier is not just a beer, it is part of the Düsseldorf way of life.

Our tradition

Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel can look back on a long history. We owe our name “Zum Schlüssel” to the medieval custom of keeping the key to the city at the inn located at the city gate. More than just a pub, we have been the first port of call for Düsseldorfers and travellers alike ever since, a place of warmth and cultural exchange. Here, where the Schlüssel once guarded the city, it now brings our guests closer to an authentic piece of the Düsseldorf way of life.

In the historic old town, we brew Düsseldorf’s most successful award-winning Altbier, Original Schlüssel, in the traditional way and serve it in its purest form – brewed on site and served fresh from the wooden barrel. We are proud to continue our brewing tradition and have won the European Beer Star twice in the Düsseldorf-Style Altbier category.