Six top Dutch breweries and their best beers

If you like beer, you will love this list of noteworthy breweries! Have you tried them all?

Breweries in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a great reputation in the field of beer. There are more than 311 official breweries in the little country, overtaking Belgium in number. Many are microbreweries that produce various specialty beers.

The great amount of official brewer's organisations doesn't take into account the many private setups also in the Netherlands. If you ask around, odds are you'll find at least a few people who brew their own beer at home!

Six most awarded breweries

Here is a short description of the six most awarded breweries according to the first Dutch Beer Challenge (held in 2015), along with their best beers (each a golden medallist)!

› Jopenkerk

The former Jopenkerk church in the centre of Haarlem was transformed into a beautiful brewery to uphold the city’s centuries-old brewing tradition.

Combined with a cafe and restaurant, the Jopenkerk is a unique location and perfect for a drink, lunch or dinner. It has brought its historic home city back on the map for beer lovers and won the most awards in the 2015 Challenge.

Jopenkerk, Haarlem
Courtesy of the Jopenkerk

› Jopen Mooie Nel

IPA is a ship’s beer, extra heavy and hoppy for those long voyages aboard a mighty vessel. Jopen Mooie Nel (Pretty Nel) is an amber ale North Sea IPA. The name is derived from the waters between Haarlem and Spaarndam. This rich beer has a bitter flavour with fruity tones.

› Gold Jopen Ongelovige Thomas

A full malty flavour is the main attraction of this beer. Ongelovige Thomas (Doubting Thomas) is a red and brown heavyweight, perfect for winter.

› Texelse Bierbrouwerij

Located in an old milk factory on the island, the Texelse Bierbrouwerij focuses on their product, employees and environment. They use pure dune water, local barley and Texel hops and yeast. The brewery can be visited for a tour or a tasting.

› Gold Texels Springtij

Gold Texels Springtij is a blonde specialty beer that was named after the Texels spring. It has a surprisingly flowery aroma, and the slightly higher alcohol percentage gives the beer its full “body”.

› Brouwerij het Uiltje

Het Uiltje started out as a home brewery in Haarlem and grew into a full contender, including a charming bar. The brewing itself is now done in the Jopenkerk facilities but the results set themselves apart as a wide variety of fresh and colourful specialty beers.

› Gold Big Fat Double 5

The Big Fat Double 5 Imperial IPA is an amber ale that’s dry-hopped to the bone and fresh as can be. It was created to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Beer Temple, Amsterdam.

› SNAB

 SNAB, or the Foundation of Noord Holland Alternative Beer Brewers in Purmerend, promotes rather special brews. Their beers are made with unconventional resources and methods.

These special processes result in many unique beers with names to match their different personalities.

› Gold Ezelenbok

Gold Ezelenbok is a dark double bock beer that is described as being extremely stubborn and very Dutch.

› Snab Pale Ale

SNAB’s amber pale ale is non-pasteurised and is known for being an easy drink. Inspired by the American West Coast, It is the first American Pale Ale to be brewed in Europe.

› Brouwerij Egmond

Also known as Sancti Adalberti Miraculum Novum, Brouwerij Egmond is located near the Sint Adelbert Abbey in Egmond. Part of their profits go to this religious house and they brew traditional abbey beer.

› Gold Sancti Adalberti Egmondse Dubbel

The Egmondse Dubbel is light in volume and dark in colour. It is ruby coloured with the scent of red fruits and caramel.

› Bierbrouwerij ‘t IJ

Bierbrouwerij 't IJ in Amsterdam consists of two locations within 500 metres distance of one another, all to optimise their brewing capacity.

Its main location and bar are housed in one of the most beautiful windmills in Amsterdam. Drinkers can sit outside in the shade of the trees at the terrace or settle down in the newly redecorated interior.

› Zatte (Heavy blond)

Zatte is a classic beer, the first to be produced by this brewery in 1985. The firm golden brew has an aroma of fresh fruit and a hint of grain, with a light sweet flavour.

Other noteworthy Dutch breweries

Have a look at this selection of 25 other noteworthy Dutch breweries that you should definitely explore:

Amsterdam

› Brouwerij de 7 Deugden
› Amsterdamse Stoombierbrouwerij ‘De Bekeerde Suster’
› Bier Fabriek
› Bruut (Winner Best Beer in the Netherlands 2016)
› Butcher’s Tears Brewery
› Oedipus Brewing
› Bierbrouwerij De Prael
› Brouwerij Zeeburg
› Amstel

The Hague

› Brouwerij Bogt
› Kompaan
› De Haagse Bierbrouwerij

Rotterdam

› Ketelbink Bier
› Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim
› Kaapse Brouwers

Utrecht

› Stoombierbrouwerij Oudaen
› Brouwerij Maximus
› Van de Streek Bier

Other cities

› Heineken Brouwerij, Zoeterwoude
› Brouwerij de Molen, Bodegraven
› Hertog Jan Brouwerij, Limburg
› Gulpener, Gulpen
› Stadsbrouwerij De Hemel, Nijmegen
› Leidsch Bier, Leiden
› De Naeckte Brouwers, Amstelveen
› Emelisse, Kamperland

Courtesy of the Jopenkerk