The nicest breweries in the Netherlands

Recently, I shared the best tips for visiting the Champagne region in France; today, I'm keeping it a bit closer to home and a bit... Cheaper? More common? But not necessarily less tasty. No, today I'm recommending the most fun breweries in the Netherlands that you absolutely want to visit. Assuming you're a beer lover, that is.

The 8 most fun breweries in the Netherlands

1. Jopenkerk
Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, Haarlem
The Jopen beer has a great spot as a base for their brand: the Jopenkerk in Haarlem. The name says it all, and yes, it was really a church. A very beautiful building with a nice large terrace. You can also eat there (which is handy if you're going to have drinks) and it's really a nice recommendation in the already nice Haarlem.

2. Texelse Bierbrouwerij
Schilderweg 214, Oudeschild
In our Ibiza of the North, they also drink beer, and what kind... I really find Texels beer incredibly tasty. And dangerous too, because after two of those Skuumkoppe or Blond, I'm already lying next to my bar stool. Enjoy but drink in moderation definitely applies here.

3. Brouwerij ’t IJ
Funenkade 7, Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, Brouwerij ’t IJ is really a household name. I'm especially a fan of their white beer, but their Biri is also incredibly tasty. And, not unimportantly, their brewery is very cozy. Nice terrace, but do come a bit early, as they close at 20:00.

4. De Beyerd
Boschstraat 26, Breda
I already find Breda really a nice city, and a visit to their own place is of course part of it.

5. Pelgrim
Aelbrechtskolk 12, Rotterdam
A terrace and an inner garden: a nice hidden gem in Rotterdam. Fun fact: this is still the only active brewery in the whole city. Whut? So definitely a must-visit if you want a special beer in 010.

6. De Moersleutel
Pettemerstraat 15, Alkmaar
A bit of cheating here, because their beer isn't brewed here, but it's a nice taproom. And the beer from Brouwerij de Moersleutel is brewed in the same city, so I thought it counted. Their taproom is called The Scrapyard and you can sit there wonderfully in the sun. And of course, with a beer.

7. Brouwerij Troost
Pazzanistraat 27, Amsterdam
Just a little back to Amsterdam, because I think this is such a fun brewery with really tasty beers. The location by the Westerpark is great because of the terrace, but the one in the Pijp (at Cornelis Troostplein) is also a favorite of mine. Just like the burgers and the flammküchen, by the way.

8. DAVO Bieren
Sluisstraat 6, Deventer
Funny that I almost always associate drinking a beer with sun and a terrace, and that all the breweries on this list really have a top terrace. So does this one. I actually don't know Deventer at all, I always end up here.