Beer in the Netherlands: history, traditions and breweries
Home of one of the world’s largest brewing groups – and of a lively scene of small breweries.
History
In the Middle Ages gruit, a herb mixture used for flavouring, was an important monopoly of towns and bishops. Later hopped beer became popular, and towns such as Haarlem and Delft became brewing centres.
In the 17th century, the Golden Age, adults and children drank beer every day, usually a light small beer. Delft and Haarlem had dozens of breweries, and brewers were among the richest citizens.
In 1864 Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the “De Hooiberg” brewery in Amsterdam. It grew into one of the largest brewing groups in the world. Grolsch was founded as early as 1615 in Groenlo.
In 1985 the ’t IJ brewery opened in Amsterdam in an old bathhouse next to the De Gooyer windmill – one of the first small breweries of the new era. Today there are hundreds of breweries in the Netherlands.
Traditions and drinking culture
Beer is often served in small glasses with two fingers of foam, which the bartender skims flat with a foam scraper. Autumn is bokbier season, with its own festival in Amsterdam.
Fun facts
- The Netherlands is one of the largest beer exporters in the world.
- In 1991 the Trappists of Koningshoeven brewed a particularly strong beer they called a quadrupel – today a style of its own.
- In 1963 Alfred Heineken had the WOBO designed, a “brick bottle”: empty beer bottles were meant to serve as building blocks for houses.
- In the Netherlands a small beer is called a “fluitje”, a slightly larger one a “vaasje”.
- The Brand brewery in Wijlre traces itself back to 1340 and is considered the oldest brewery in the Netherlands.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Amsterdam
The old Heineken brewery from 1867 is now a visitor centre. The ’t IJ brewery has been brewing next to the De Gooyer windmill since 1985, and in autumn the bokbier festival takes place.
Groenlo
Grolsch was founded here in 1615; today the brand is brewed in nearby Enschede. It is known for its swing-top bottle, “beugelfles” in Dutch.
Berkel-Enschot near Tilburg
At Koningshoeven Abbey, Trappist monks have been brewing “La Trappe” since 1884.
Haarlem
In the Middle Ages one of the most important beer towns in the Netherlands. The Jopen brewery recreates old Haarlem recipes; since 2010 its brewpub has been in a former church.
Zundert
At the Abbey of Maria Toevlucht, Trappists have been brewing “Zundert” since 2013.
Lieshout
The Swinkels family has been brewing Bavaria beer here since 1719.
Delft
In the 15th and 16th centuries Delft was one of the most important brewing towns in Holland. Many brewhouses stood right on the canals that carried grain and beer.
Wijlre
In the south of Limburg, Brand brews – by its own account the oldest brewery in the Netherlands (1340).
Breweries and their stories
Heineken
Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the De Hooiberg brewery in 1864. Today Heineken is one of the largest brewing groups in the world; the old brewery in Amsterdam is a visitor centre.
Known for: Heineken
Grolsch
Founded in Groenlo, known for its swing-top bottle.
Known for: Grolsch Premium Pilsner
La Trappe
Trappist brewery of Koningshoeven Abbey. Its 1991 quadrupel gave its name to a whole beer style.
Known for: Quadrupel, Dubbel
Bavaria
Brewery of the Swinkels family, one of the largest independent breweries in Europe.
Known for: Bavaria Premium Pilsner
Brouwerij ’t IJ
Craft brewery next to the De Gooyer windmill, a pioneer of Amsterdam’s scene.
Known for: Columbus, IJwit
Jopen
Revives historic Haarlem beers; its brewpub is in a former church.
Known for: Hoppenbier, Koyt
De Molen
Started in a windmill and is now known internationally for strong, barrel-aged beers.
Known for: Hel & Verdoemenis
Brand
Considered the oldest brewery in the Netherlands. It has belonged to Heineken since 1989.
Known for: Brand Pilsener, Brand Imperator
Timeline
- 1340Wijlre
First mention of the Brand brewery in Wijlre – considered the oldest in the Netherlands.
- Middle AgesHaarlem
Haarlem is one of the most important beer towns in the Netherlands. For a long time beer is flavoured with gruit, a herb mixture.
- 1615Groenlo
Grolsch is founded in Groenlo. Later the swing-top bottle becomes its trademark.
- 1719Lieshout
The Swinkels family brews in Lieshout – to this day as the Bavaria brewery.
- 1864Amsterdam
Gerard Adriaan Heineken buys the “De Hooiberg” brewery – “The Haystack”.
- 1884Berkel-Enschot near Tilburg
Trappists start brewing at Koningshoeven Abbey: La Trappe.
- 1963Amsterdam
Alfred Heineken has the WOBO designed, a beer bottle meant to serve as a building brick for houses.
- 1985Amsterdam
The ’t IJ brewery opens next to the De Gooyer windmill – a pioneer of the craft beer scene.
- 1991Berkel-Enschot near Tilburg
La Trappe brews an especially strong beer and calls it quadrupel – today a style of its own.
- 2010Haarlem
The Jopen brewery moves into a former church in Haarlem and recreates old Haarlem recipes.
- 2013Zundert
Trappists brew their first beer at Maria Toevlucht Abbey in Zundert.