The Netherlands has a rich history of beer. In the 14th century, Dutch brewers learned to use hops and transfer their knowledge to other countries, such as Belgium, England and France. In English, the word beer was derived from the Dutch een biertje.
The main feature of local brewing is amazing mixing processes, long exposure and unusual ingredients. An intoxicated drink was often made with herbs. This article provides a list of the best Dutch beer.
Heineken
In 1864, a young Dutch entrepreneur received a substantial sum from his wealthy mother to buy and repair an old brewery in the center of Amsterdam. A few years later, the plant began to produce a drink, which was named after the creator of Gerard Adrian Heineken.
Since then, this company has become practically synonymous with Dutch beer and, perhaps, the most recognizable product from the Netherlands. In fact, Heineken is one of the most popular drinks ever made, and its signature green bottles decorated with a red star are available in bars around the world.
The taste of the drink has a typical bitterness. However, beer is sensitive to light, and the notorious green bottle does not protect against ultraviolet rays, like the usual brown one. Noble hops are felt in the drink, but at the same time it remains fresh and somewhat “boring”.
Amstel
This brand of Dutch beer is also known to the Russian consumer. The first batch of Amstel was released in 1968 under the auspices of the already popular concern Heineken NV
Amstel Gold 7% - a hoppy drink of light malt with faint notes of grains and leaves. There is a certain earthy taste in it. Beer is very dry, with a little bitterness. This is an incredibly aromatic drink, but you need to be prepared for the fact that after it there is a slight aftertaste.
Alfa Bierbrouwerij BV
Alfa Edel Pils - Dutch beer, which is extremely difficult to find in a regular supermarket, which is completely undeserved. It is a pure and natural pilsner that contains 5% alcohol. Alfa Edel Pils is made from barley malt, natural hops and spring water.
This is a beer with its own character: generous taste and delicate bouquet. Each bottle of Alfa Edel Pils has a unique number printed on the label. The ideal drinking temperature is 7-8 ° C. The drink is made by the brewery Alfa Bierbrouwerij BV
Hertog Jan Dubbel
Arcense Bierbrouwerij is a traditional Dutch highly fermented beer. From the first seconds, all the advantages of a hop-drink can be noted: high stable foam, a beautiful reddish-brown tint, the aroma is soft, not sharp. It is enough to take just one sip to feel the rich notes of malt and a sweet aftertaste.
A few centuries ago Arcense Bierbrouwerij was brewed in Belgian monasteries. The concept of “dowel” means “double beer”. There is an ancient legend that tells that the monks marked the drink bottles with crosses as a sign of the fortress. On a bottle of Arcense Bierbrouwerij stood two crosses.
When opening beer, you can feel the bright aroma of hazelnuts, fruits, spices and cinnamon. This Belgian hops drink, which is produced in the Dutch brewery Hertog Jan Dubbel (“Duke Jan Dubbel”), is famous for its incredible taste, combining notes of raspberries, strawberries, flowers, chocolate and cherries.
Bavaria
Bavaria NV is the second largest brewery in the Netherlands. The exact date of foundation is unknown, it is assumed that it was open until 1680. Since 1773, the plant belonged to the Ambrosius Swinkels family. Bavaria NV produces 700 million liters of beer per year.
Consumers prefer Bavaria 8.6%, Bavaria Hollandia 3% and Bavaria Hooghe Bock 6.5%. The last drink is of particular value. It has a red-brown color, the taste is sweet, with a slight bitter aftertaste. The drink is made without added sugar.
Bockbier
Dutch beer of high strength, which is produced at the Brouwerij 't IJ factory in Amsterdam. The owner of the brand Bockbier - Caspar Peterson - began to create hops drinks in 1985.
All Dutch Bockbier beers (Natte 6.5%, Paasij 7%, Plzen 5%, Struis 9%, Turbock Winterbier 9%, Vlo 7%, Zatte 8%, Kuipertje Bokbier 6.5%, Drie Kruizen Karthuizer Ipso Facto 10 , 5%, Oranjeboom Oranjeboom 5%) are alive and natural. The main feature of the drinks is that they are not pasteurized or filtered.
You can try one of the beers either in the pub next to the Brouwerij 't IJ factory, or during a tour of it.
Budels
Budelse Brouwerij is another Dutch beer producer. Consumers choose three varieties of Bock 6.5%, Parel 6% and Capucijn 6.5%. The latter is very popular and that’s why. The drink has a ruby color, and the name comes from the French Capuchins, who at the beginning of the last century had a monastery in Budel.
It is worth noting that all Budelse Brouwerij products are made in the abbey. The main feature of Dutch beer is its mild taste and fantastic aroma. It is sold in bottles, and is presented to connoisseurs of intoxicating drinks like ale. Capucijn has a light aroma of caramel, as well as the taste of sweet and slightly fried malt with cherry, sourness is felt. It is not recommended to drink too cold so that the beer can fully open.
De leckere
De Leckere is a brewery that has been producing delicious drinks since 1997. Three distinct varieties of Hertsfbok 6.5%, Tripel 8% and Witbier 5% stand out.
Tripel 8% is in high demand, and this is not surprising. The main reason for the popularity of the variety: sweet malt flavor, with woody notes. When opened, the beer vaguely resembles rum and orange zest. Witbier 5% and Hertsfbok 6.5% are similar in taste and aroma to Tripel 8%.
Grolsch brewery
In 1615, William Nirfeldt founded a brewery in the village of Grohl, which is now called "Grunlo" (the Dutch province of Gelderland). The owner’s daughter married Peter Kaper, who in 1676 was appointed master of the Brewers Guild of Grohl.
Much later, namely in 1922, the modern Grolsch brewery was founded under the auspices of De Enschedesche Bierbrouwerij. Today it is a recognizable brand that can be found on the shelves of local supermarkets. Among the large selection, buyers choose several varieties: Blonde 4.5%, De Vierde Wijze 7.5%, Herfstbok 6.5%, Zomergoud 5% and Premium Weizen 5.3%.
Where to find a good hops drink
If Heineken, Grolsch and Bavaria are sold in any Russian supermarket, then what about the rest of the Dutch beer? There are several shops and pubs in Moscow that sell specialty hop drinks. Most of them are produced by breweries only in a limited version.
In “Buchen House” Dutch beer is sold (craft, lager, pilsner). The city has opened more than 10 chain stores, which are located in almost all areas (Odintsovo, Nakhabino, Altufevo, etc.). In “Pilgrim” not only drinks are imported from the Netherlands, but also from Belgium, Germany and England.
The importance of making the right choice
It is important to understand that not all drinks of Dutch origin are sold year-round. Some beer is made only in certain seasons, because at other times of the year it simply will not work. For example, dark beer with a slightly bitter hue needs to be brewed only in the fall. And no brewery guarantees that the drink will have the same taste as it did a few years ago.
World brands such as Heineken are an exception because their products are conveyed. The rest of the plants (for example, De Leckere) do not seek to gain fame in many countries, but are focused on creating truly high-quality and delicious drinks.
Some breweries, such as Hertog Jan Dubbel and Budels, even brew beer strictly in limited quantities. The thing is that in many monasteries and abbeys it is allowed to make an intoxicated drink in exactly the amount that is needed to maintain your spirit and body.
That is why beer of a limited edition can be tasted at festivals, either in specialized pubs, or after going on an excursion, or winning the lottery. In any case, Dutch beer is one of the most preferred in the world. And some even believe that it laid the foundation for the creation of original hop drinks along with Belgian breweries.