Where are You from?
From Rotterdam, Netherlands. And also from Antwerp, Belgium, where I lived for a long time. Since the late 90s, Cologne has been my “home”—and I’m never leaving.
How Did You get into Doing Beer House Tours in Cologne?
I love the city, its people, and its stories. Its ugly buildings and its countless cultural treasures, Kölsch, and Cologne songs. As a tour guide, I can share and pass on at least a few sides of that love—and I keep learning something new myself, again and again.
Why Do You Enjoy Guiding People through Cologne’s Beer Houses so much?
Nothing beats being able to connect people and Cologne with a Kölsch or two!
Which Anecdote or Story Do You Particularly like to Tell?
The story of Saint Peter of Milan: patron saint of Cologne’s brewers, protector against headaches, and the namesake of the Pittermännchen.
What Makes Cologne Special for You?
“Et kölsche Jeföhl.” I get emotional when I hear Stammbaum, Veedel, or Stääne—what these songs sing about really exists.
What Absolutely Must You See in Cologne (besides the Cathedral)?
The Romans’ legacy and the Romanesque churches, like St. Andrew’s, the patron church of Cologne’s brewers.
Fun Fact about You
Actually, I prefer wine…