For much more on the beer how they like it in Köln, see Where Kölsch Night Is Every Night.
A Question for Köbes Kultur
For all the lore and charm of the köbes, there is a very old-fashioned side to the tradition that many will find unappealing: the near-total lack of female servers. This is also the case within the altbier pubs of Düsseldorf.
When visiting more than 15 pubs and brewhouses between Düsseldorf and Köln over a three-day period, I saw only two female servers—one was delivering food to tables; the other was a zappe, pouring from a barrel. Asking the male köbes about this brings some fairly negative and often outright sexist remarks. Discussing the matter with brewers and owners of establishments proves no better.