The DB App insisted our train from Soest was cancelled yet it was still showing on the board. A change of designation. We arrived in Düsseldorf on schedule in the early afternoon. The Ibis City behind the Hauptbahnhof is always a few Euros cheaper per night than the one in the Station, for the difference of a three minute walk.
Neil decided to have a Quiet Day. Hector had Curry-Heute in mind, Kenny, Dr. Stan and Jonathan headed off to who knows where in search of obscure Bier outlets. Kenny declared his interest in joining me, at some time.
Once upon a time, Hector was a frequent visitor to Düsseldorf. Sadly, those who run the budget airlines do not wish to take the people of Central Scotland to Nordrhein Westfalen on a Friday evening and return us at a sensible time on a Sunday. In recent years we have had flights to Dortmund and Köln disappear, yet they were always full. In the time that Bier-Traveller has been in operation; passing through, or a late night arrival, is all that has been achieved. To come here and relax was fundamental to the conception of Hector Bounces Back.
Finding a Düsseldorf Curry House proved frustrating. The best part of an hour was lost before I found myself in Mayur, success.
By this time Dr. Stan and Kenny had sent texts describing where they were. Google Maps did not help by locating the given information at two loci. The U Bahn, in Düsseldorf a Tram in reality, took Hector across the Rhein to set foot on the West Bank, Oberkassel, for the first time.
Hausbrauerei Alterbahnhof is located at the Belsenplatz Haltestelle, simples.
The Chaps were in the garden at the rear as befits a summer afternoon, there was shade. The Gulasch Alt, the first Alt of the Trip, was a welcome change from the days on Kölsch. Even drier than Kölsch, this has better suited the Hector Palate in recent years.
Some ate, some couldn’t. A leisurely Litre, and it was time to return to the Altstadt. Kenny decided to bale at this time and rendezvous at a time and place of his choosing.
The first stop across the bridge is adjacent to Im Füchsen, IMHO – one of the Big Three Altbier sources in terms of taste and satisfaction. Kenny caught up with the three of us in no time at all. Time to move on. This is what we do, so it goes.
Dr. Stan and Jonathan knew of a new Microbrewery between Füchsen and Uerige – Kürzer. Somehow Jonathan arrived first and pronounced the Bier to be not as good as last time. Three more were ordered. The first sip gave it away. Sweet! Disgustingly so. For the second time on this Trip, Hector was given a Bier that could not be consumed. The advantage of 0.25ml Glasses. Indeed after two sips, Kenny and Dr. Stan were in agreement. Jonathan stopped too. Bert was summoned, Die Rechnung settled.
You’re Bier is Horrible – was my parting statement. The Waiter was puzzled to see four glasses, barely touched. Don’t go there.
Uerige is Hector’s favourite Altbier source. It was now early evening. A few glasses would be consumed here, but Schumacher could not be blanked today. I would be returning to Uerige, more than once, hopefully, in the coming days.
The Tram was taken back towards Oststraße. Jonathan stayed on to the Hauptbahnhof. Dr. Stan was waiting for Kenny and Hector – in The Pit. Dr. Stan had walked.
I used to hate standing/sitting in the entrance vestibule, especially when there is a spacious room to the right on entry. However, the last Altbier of the day in Düsseldorf has become a tradition here. Since the smoking ban this is perfect. Service is smart too.
Kenny had become intrigued by Hector’s eating plan for the Trip. He also fancied a Curry. He knows The Rule. Dr. Stan went home, we moved a few metres along the street to the Taj Mahal, for Half an Hour only, it appears.
The Hausbrauerei and Brewery Taps visited today:
Brauhaus Alter Bahnhof – Belsenplatz 2, Oberkassel, Dusseldorf
Im Füchsen – Ratinger Straße 28, 40213, Düsseldorf
Bräuerei Kürzer – Kürze Strasse 18-20, 40213, Düsseldorf
Uerige – Berger Strasse 1, 40213, Düsseldorf
Brauerei Schumacher – Oststraße 123, 40210 Düsseldorf
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