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The cathedral in Cologne is worth a visit (although hard to miss, so a recommendation does feel a little redundant). There was some excellent street music beside the cathedral when I was there too, played from 8 or 9 right through until around 3 in the morning. Got completely boozed on free kölsch while watching them play too, although I can't promise that that'll happen to you! My brother went on a brewery tour there too, said that kölsch straight out of conditioning is absolutely divine - will be paying another visit to the city just as soon as I can!

Time flies, I forgot you were visiting the area.

Just go into a regular bar in Cologne and you'll get Pils I'm sure. But yeah, don't ask for Altbier <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Muenster means a visit to Pinkus Muller at least. As TBN mentioned, it makes the last example of Munterisches Alt (paler, and less bitter than Dusseldorfer Alt, but a touch of lacto) and, indeed, is the last brewery in the city.

For Dortmund, visit Wenkers Am Markt to see what you think of their house beers, and to say hello to Joerg, the very friendly manager. You should also pop over to the Hövels Hausbrauerei[/url:h35sduqp]. Although the Hövels you get in most bars is made somewhere else (Radeberger bought Hövels), they still brew a version in house for the brewpub, as well as a Zwickel and some seasonal specials. Actually, they brew the house beers for Wekners, but the thing about Wenkers is that it was the site of the original Kronen brewery, I believe the first brewery in Dortmund to move to bottom fermenting beer. They still sell Kronen there, and it was about the only place we could find selling export in Dortmund, although we had a busy schedule...

Some more info on my blog[/url:h35sduqp]. I'll see if I can get more info for ya once the kid is in bed <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->