Once upon a time, Groningen was the granary of the Netherlands. No wonder, then, that this region has a rich beer history. Locally brewed beers have taken off in recent years. Fancy a glass of Groningen beer? We highlight a few great Groningen breweries for you.
Baxbier
This city-based brewery makes unique speciality beers by combining influences of beer styles from around the world. Some two years after its first steps on the beer market, Bax Bier moved into premises on Friesestraatweg where visitors can enjoy a beer in the tasting room, with sunny terrace on the Reitdiep. Bax's beers are now available at over 600 locations across the country. One of their best-known beers is named after the typical Groningen pronunciation Kon Minder. Curious? The de brouwerij regularly organises workshops and tastings.
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Rockin' Ludina Brewery
In the summer of 2015, brewery Rockin' Ludina presented its first beer. Those first beers were brewed on a small scale aboard the 1910-era Tjalk the Ludina, located opposite café De Toeter. De brouwerij tries to distinguish itself through barrel-aged beers. The Rockin' Ludina specials have been wood-aged in, for example, a sherry, wine or whisky barrel. By letting the beer rest in this barrel, it acquires notes of the sherry, wine or whisky, which creates a unique flavour.
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Brouwerij Martinus
In Groningen city centre, a stone's throw from the Grote Markt, Brouwerij Martinus has been brewing speciality beers in a unique industrial building on the Kostersgang since October 2015. Where once the printing press was running, now the brew kettles are simmering. The former print shop brews speciality beers, from Blond to Triple to Quadruple. On the first floor is the restaurant, on the second floor the brew pub. Last but not least, the roof terrace with views over Groningen's rooftops and the Martinitoren completes the Groningen beer experience.
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Bogdike
Veendam has a rich history when it comes to beers. There were at least five breweries in the town in the 18th century, but after the last one closed in 1891, things were quiet for years. Until in 2010, the owners of Hotel Parkzicht decided to make their own beers: Bogdike. The beers are unique; the facility they are made in is the only one of its kind in the Benelux. While having a bite to eat in the restaurant, you can follow the brewing process in the kettles. Those who want a total experience can stay overnight at the Brouwhotel.
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Brouwerij Westerwolde
A former piglet barn in the heart of Westerwolde is home to Brouwerij Westerwolde. This brewery is a hobby of father Harm and son Thijs that got out of hand. Together, they brew various types of special beer with care, love and attention. The beers are brewed as sustainably as possible and the ingredients are sourced locally. They now have six fixed types of beer, and other types are available seasonally. Every Saturday there is the opportunity to take a look around de brouwerij.
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Grunn Beer
Goudhaantje, Hoagelwitje, Hail & Zegen, Rode Hoan, Dreidubbel... The names of the beers say it all: these are golden yellow rascals for the real Groningers. The regional beer is brewed according to its own recipe from natural ingredients and already has quite a few special beers including a weizen, tripel and bock.
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Rural brewery Het Zotte Kalf
After years of hobby brewing, two childhood friends founded rural brewery Het Zotte Kalf in an old farmhouse between Winsum and Onderdendam. Where they once started literally among the calves, over the years it has grown into a professional brewery. Besides a whole range of seasonal beers, three beers are always available: the Barrosã Blond, Salorn Tripel and Galloway Porter. All named after a breed of cow, so the connection to the countryside will always be there. The beers are available at many places in the province, have one.
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Graansilo
Homage to the love of the finest flavours of liquid gold and to Groningen. Here you can taste the Groningen character and pride. On the spot where barley, wheat and oats used to be stored, Graansilo now brews its beers. The beers are created together with beer lovers during special tasting evenings, where flavours are tested so that only the best ends up on tap. This way, each beer gets its own character. Taste along at a subsequent tasting. Fancy a delicious beer? There is plenty of choice: blonde, ipa, tripel, white, bok, neipa, 0.5 ipa and dneipa. Sample one (or more) during a beer tasting or dinner at Restaurant Graansilo. In summer, you can also enjoy the sunshine on the terrace. That's when your ice-cold beer really tastes best.
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Folkingebrew
Folkingebrew was born out of pure passion for powerful, outspoken beer. The first beer flowed in 2017 in the backyard of a beer shop on Folkingestraat. Hence the name: Folkinge refers to the street and brew to the American craft-beer vibe that inspired them. At Folkingebrew The Pub, you taste beer fresh from the source, full of character and craftsmanship. With names like Planet Hopper, Making Waves, Enter the Night and Cellar of Shadows. Curious about how they taste? Just try them for yourself!
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More Groningen brewers
Other brewers from the province that brew their beers with their own kettles are Folkingebrew (Hoogezand) and Wildervanker Bierbrouwerij (Wildervank). And then there are the so-called 'rental brewers' such as of Grunn Bier discussed above, who do not have their own kettles but do brew their own beers. This includes Staalbaard and the Kruisheren beer from the proviand cellar of Klooster Ter Apel, for example.
