Vibrant beer culture in the Netherlands

By Malin Norman

The Dutch beer scene is energetic with creativity in brewing and diversity in beer styles, and a sense of community amongst beer enthusiasts.

With over 900 breweries, centuries-old traditions and even a Trappist brewery (La Trappe), plus award-winning modern innovations, there is plenty of choice for beer lovers to explore. As stated by Nederlandse Biercultuur, Dutch beer culture has a rich past and a bright future.

Photo: Baxbier

“The strength in Dutch beer culture lies primarily in its individuality and scale,” says Jody Mijts, beer and drinks writer, who runs the platform OngewoonLekker.com. “We’re a small country, but have a remarkably high density of breweries, styles, and ideas. What often surprises international readers is how diverse yet pragmatic our beer culture is.”

Photo: Baxbier

Pilsner still going strong

Influenced by neighbouring Belgium, many Dutch breweries make classic Belgian styles, whilst others opt for more hop-forward beers – inspired by craft breweries in the USA. The most popular beer style amongst consumers is still pilsner, however.

Photo: Frontaal Brewing Company

“Back in the 1980s, pilsner had 98 per cent of the market,” says Rick Kempen, beer ambassador at Bier&cO. “Even if pilsner has declined to around 75 per cent, it’s still the best-selling type of beer.” Other popular styles are German Hefeweizen, Belgian Blond, and IPA. The alcohol-free segment is growing, too, now with around 10 per cent of the market.

Photo: Jopen bier

“Lager has played an important historical role, with well-known names like Heineken, Grolsch, and Bavaria, but modern Dutch beer culture is primarily about experimentation and freedom,” reflects Jody. “Brewers don’t feel constrained by strict guidelines, and traditional styles like saison, tripel, or barley wine are regularly reinterpreted with local ingredients or given a contemporary twist.”

Photo: Hopster

Reinventing beer styles

Craft beer is constantly evolving and Dutch brewers are known for their innovative spirit, agrees Ron Stoop, co-founder of Hopster, a feel-good magazine with stories about breweries. “With the Dutch craft beer scene maturing, the sense of collective pioneering has shifted somewhat, and competition has become part of everyday reality,” he says. “Still, the appetite among consumers to explore new styles and breweries hasn’t faded at all. Craft beer in the Netherlands is very much alive.”

Photo: vandeStreek

Brewers are more individualistic now, means Ron, and experiment with traditional styles. One reinterpretation that stands out is Bockbier, which is based on the German original. “Bockbier is the closest to a typical Dutch beer style that we can get. In the Netherlands. It’s a gateway into craft beer and especially during October and November; most beer bars will have a version of Bockbier,” he says. Even La Trappe makes a Bockbier, claimed to be the only Trappist bock ale in the world.

Photo: Jopen bier

An interesting beer competition is Het Lekkerste Bockbier van Nederland (The Tastiest Bock Beer in the Netherlands), which started in 2001. It has grown into one of the largest blind tasting competitions for consumers and enthusiasts. “This is a great competition,” says Ron. “For several years running, the winner was Jopen’s 4-Granen Bok. Based in Haarlem, Jopen is usually on beer lovers’ radar. The brewery is located in an old church – it’s a cool place to visit for good beer and tasty food.”

Ron also recommends to check out Valhalla, a modern craft brewery in Amsterdam that makes a rye bock. He adds; “It’s a great example of a product of the Dutch beer scene.”

Dutch Beer Challenge. Photo: © Bart Van der Perre

Showcasing creativity of brewers

In order to promote the Dutch beer scene, the first professional beer competition in the Netherlands – the Dutch Beer Challenge – was organised in Rotterdam in 2015. Now in its 12^th edition, around 150-200 breweries compete every year.

Dutch Beer Challenge. Photo: © Bart Van der Perre

“With the Dutch Beer Challenge, we want to promote the love for beer and craftsmanship,” says Rick. “Set up by the Dutch Beer Challenge Foundation, the competition has grown into one of the most important beer events in the Low Countries.” The 2026 edition will take place on 1 April, once again showcasing the quality, diversity and creativity of Dutch brewers.

Photo: Hopster

The same foundation also started Dutch Beer Week, where the organisations Dutch Brewers and CRAFT, the Dutch trade association for independent breweries, work together to promote the beer culture. “During the week, breweries open their doors and organise tours, tastings, quizzes, and more,” says Rick. This year’s edition of Dutch Beer Week takes place in The Hague in May.

Bierbrouwerij Mommeriete is beautifully located in Gramsbergen. Photo: Bierbrouwerij Mommeriete

Strong community of beer lovers

No doubt, there is an impressive amount of passion and drive in the Netherlands, as also seen in the community of beer fans – something that has shaped the beer culture. With around 3,000 members, PINT is a consumer organisation dating back to 1980. Its focus is quality and diversity, with a busy calendar of activities such as tours, tastings and various beer festivals.

Photo: Bierbrouwerij Mommeriete

And in 2013, the Beer Geeks group was founded, with more than 18,000 members sharing a curiosity for beer. In 2018, this group also initiated the Beer Geeks Beat ALS brewing collaboration, which has raised more than 522,000 euro so far for charity.

Photo: Walhalla brouwerij & proeflokaal

“The community aspect is essential,” adds Jody. “Beer clubs, festivals, and collaborations play a significant role. Initiatives such as collaborative beers for charities or joint brewing projects demonstrate that the scene is not only competitive but also social and idealistic. There’s a strong ‘doing it together’ mentality.”

Photo: i amsterdam

Some Dutch breweries to check out:

Walhalla

Founded in 2016 by Aart van Bergen, this Amsterdam-based brewery makes bold and thirst-quenching beers – or as they say, the gods’ favourite beers. Its beers include for instance the powerful ZEUS Double IPA and the fruity ELIXER New England IPA.

vandeStreek bier

Based in Utrecht, brothers Sander and Ronald van de Streek started homebrewing in 2010.

Now, vandeStreek is one of the biggest independent craft breweries in the country and its beers are available in supermarkets, bottle shops and bars across the Netherlands as well as abroad.

Baxbier

Two friends started brewing in 2014 and opened the brewery’s doors in 2016. Ten years on, innovative beers such as Kon Minder and Koudvuur have won numerous prestigious awards. The brewery also organises a large beer festival every year.

Folkingebrew

This brewery, set up in 2017 in Groningen, is driven by a love for bold and expressive beers. Its focus is on hop-forward styles, packed with flavour. Its taproom, Folkingebrew The Pub, tempts with great beer, tasty food, and a lively atmosphere.

Frontaal Brewing Company

The team at Frontaal Brewing Company in Breda brew beers under the motto “beer for thought” – to inspire, excite and challenge people to drink something different. News include for instance Chai Me A River, a dirty chai latte stout, and Stratification, a New England Double IPA.

Brouwerij 't IJ

Located by the iconic De Gooyer windmill, Brouwerij ’t IJ is a well-known craft brewery in Amsterdam. Started in 1985, the brewery and its taproom is now a popular tourist attraction. The robust Zette Tripel is a classic.