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What to eat & drink in North Rhine-Westphalia? Top 5 North Rhine-Westphalian Beers (Styles and Brands)

Last update: Sat Feb 15 2025
Top 5 North Rhine-Westphalian Beers (Styles and Brands)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best North Rhine-Westphalian Beer Types

01

Hybrid Beer

DÜSSELDORF, Germany
3.9
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Altbier, meaning old beer, is a German beer style which originated in Düsseldorf. The style falls somewhere between a lager and an ale—the beers are fermented warm like ales but are then aged cool like lagers. The name altbier, which originated in the 1880s, refers to the traditional brewing process of using top-fermenting yeasts.


The name arose to distinguish traditional brews from the new lagers that were mainly produced in Bavaria. Before that, it was simply known as bier. These full-bodied beers are typically malty, clean and crisp, while their color may range from copper to amber. 
THE BEST Altbier Hybrid Beers
1 Buckskin Rauchbier
Buckskin - King Car Group
Buckskin Rauchbier

5.0

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European Beer Star - Gold 2020

02

Hybrid Beer

COLOGNE, Germany
3.8
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Kölsch (the Low German name for Cologne) is a specialty beer brewed only in Cologne. A document known as the Kölsch Convention was signed in 1986 by the directors of two dozen Kölsch breweries, ensuring that Kölsch beer can only be brewed in Cologne and its surrounding area, and nowhere else in the world.


The guidelines stipulated that Kölsch is not only a type of beer, but also a designation of origin. They specify that true Kölsch beer is a pale yellow, clear, highly fermented, fully-rounded ale, brewed according to the German Beer Purity Law of 1516. 
THE BEST Kölsch Hybrid Beers
1 Kolsch
pFriem Family Brewers
Kolsch

5.0

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Great American Beer Festival - Gold 2020

2 Claritas
Mike Hess Brewing
Claritas

5.0

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World Beer Cup - Gold 2016

3 Kölsch
Buckskin - King Car Group
Kölsch

5.0

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Melbourne International Beer Competition - Gold 2019

03

Lager

DORTMUND, Germany
3.7
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Dortmunder Export is a German beer style that was first brewed in the late 19th century. Named after the city where it originated, this beer style was modeled on pilsners, and it was primarily invented as a thirst-quenching brew for local industrial workers.


Dortmunder is a pale and clear lager that has a bitter base and a good balance of malty sweetness and hop flavors. These beers come off smooth and malty, but at the same time, they remain crisp, easy-drinking, and refreshing. They typically range from 5 to 6% ABV. 
04

Beer

DORTMUND, Germany
3.7
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This beer is a symbol of Dortmund and has always been made from carefully selected ingredients. The beginning of brewing in Dortmund dates back to 1293, and throughout history, these beers were exported around the world. Dortmund beer is now produced by Dortmunder Actien Brauerei (DAB), which was founded in 1868, and it is exclusively made with Dortmund water and under German Purity Law.


Main beer styles include Export, Pilsener, light beer, and dark top-fermented Altbier.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best North Rhine-Westphalian Beer Producers

01

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2021

BEST Bottroper Bier Beers (Styles and Brands)
02

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

BEST Brauprojekt 777 Beers (Styles and Brands)
03

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

BEST Braumanufaktur Bonekamp GmbH Beers (Styles and Brands)
04

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2023

BEST Ostermann Braumanufaktur GmbH Beers (Styles and Brands)
05

Beer

DUISBURG, Germany
5.0
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

BEST König-Brauerei GmbH Beers (Styles and Brands)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best North Rhine-Westphalian Beers (Styles and Brands)

01

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2021

02

Beer

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, Germany
5.0
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

03
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

04
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2023

05
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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North Rhine-Westphalian Beers (Styles and Brands)