10 breweries in North Brabant
In gastronomic North Brabant, people enjoy life – preferably in good company and with an equally good beer in hand. There is good reason why North Brabant calls itself the brewery province of the Netherlands! And did you know that at least two of the twelve authentic Trappist breweries in the world are in North Brabant? If you love beer, North Brabant is the place to be. You can go to the North Brabant breweries on this list for a guided tour and a tasting.
1. Oijen Beer Brewery, Oijen
Oijen Beer Brewery lies among the meadows and traditional Dutch dike roads of East Brabant. You can enjoy delicious speciality beers here in a converted farm with a large terrace. The brewery works with traditional recipes without added artificial odours, colours and flavourings. Taste an Oijens Pils from the home tap, make a selection from the long list of speciality beers or go on an Oijens Proeveritje (tasting).
“Oijen Beer Brewery in an official Brabant Bicycle café and ideal situated for a stopover while following a cycle route along the Brabant fortified cities and the Zuiderwaterlinie.”
2. Abdij Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven (Koningshoeven Abbey), Berkel-Enschot
World-wide there are only 12 Trappist breweries that may carry the label ‘Authentic Trappist Product’. Two of those are located in North Brabant. In rural surroundings on the outskirts of Tilburg, the monks of La Trappe Trappist abbey continue to set forth the rich tradition of brewing Trappist beer. Of course, you can enjoy a Trappist beer on the terrace here, but it is even more fun to book a guided tour. Beer is brewed ecologically here; the first Bio-maker in the Netherlands treats its waste water and reuses it in the production process.
Authentic Trappist beer is also brewed in Zundert, at Maria Toevlucht Abbey.
“Follow one of the La Trappe cycle routes, which will take you past the most beautiful spots in the region, with the history and taste of authentic Trappist beers along the way."
3. Stadsbrouwerij Frontaal, Breda
Today, beer is brewed in Breda’s old sugar factory with much passion. In the industrial brewpub of Frontaal Brewing Company, it is not easy to choose from the main menu of speciality beers with names like Man on the Moon, Bulldog and On a Whim. With at least 31 unique draught beers from its own brewery and other friendly breweries on tap, you can spend the afternoon here on the terrace or in a tasting.
“The Frontaal Brewing Company is situated along the Explore Creative Breda walking tour. This means you will encounter other unique local businesses, such as BAAI and the creative fertile grounds of STEK.”
4. Bossche Brouwers, 's-Hertogenbosch
Choose from among 100 types of beer
Choose from among 100 types of beer
Another cool industrial hotspot can be found in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The Bossche Brouwers brew at Tramkade – the only brewing stage in the Netherlands. Bossche Brouwers is a brewery, stage, pub, terrace and restaurant. You can choose from among 100 types of beer, including, of course, various beers from its own brewery. If any brewers are on location, they would love to take the time to give you a peek into the microbrewery. Bossche Brouwers only brews beer in small batches up to 200 litres.
5. De Deftige Aap, Helmond
6. Loc Brewery, Tilburg
In the centre of the Tilburg Spoorzone you will find Loc Brewery. This is the hotspot for a glass of good beer, a pleasant drink or an extensive tasting in a charming sitting room setting. The BrewPub has 21 rotating draught beers on tap and a wide selection of cans. Each time you return is a surprise because both the beer menu and the seasonal dishes continue to change.
7. Bavaria Brewpub, Lieshout
8. 100 Watt, Eindhoven
Eindhoven also has plenty to offer to the beer lover. 100 Watt Brewery combines the love for beer with the love for Eindhoven. This is visible on the menu, with beers such as the Witte Dame (White Lady) and Heeren van Eynthoven (Gentlemen from Eynthoven). The large terrace of the tasting room of 100 Watt is very enjoyable with its view of the Dommel river in the centre of the city. The guided tour walks you through the entire brewing process, after which you can also taste one of the liqueurs made with beer at the Bottle Distillery. In the Tasting Room, you will sample a total of three locally brewed beers, accompanied by appropriate snacks.
9. Vandeoirsprong Brewery, Oirschot
Young brewing talent in a historic brewery is the secret of Vandeoirsprong Brewery in Oirschot. Beer has been brewed at this location for centuries, where De Kroon Brewery used to be. This location has been revived by Vandeoirsprong, with the ambitious brewer Frans Schamp at the helm. The 350-year-old building is packed with history, all of which can be uncovered during a guided tour of the brewery museum, including the copper kettle dating back to 1912.
10. Beerze Brewery Hotel
Family brewery with a rich history
Family brewery with a rich history
Vessem is home to a small-scale family brewery with a rich history. The Beerze Brewery is situated on the banks of the Beerze river in North Brabant’s Kempen region. In addition to tasting the most delicious speciality beers, you can also discover the secrets of the brewery while on a tour of the place. Extend your visit with an overnight stay in the adjoining hotel and enjoy a full breakfast the next morning in the old brewer’s house.
These other Brabant beer breweries are also open to visitors (by appointment):
- Van Moll, Eindhoven
- Big Belly Brewing Company, Breda
- De Budelse Brouwerij, Budel
- Wilskracht Stadsbrouwerij, Ravenstein
- Biercafé Bar le Duc, ’s-Hertogenbosch
- Stadsbrouwerij Sint Crispijn (Sint Crispijn city-based brewery), Waalwijk
- Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat, Almkerk
- Bierbrouwerij de Roos, Hilvarenbeek
- Brouwerij 't Krut, Son en Breugel
