Craft beer – meaning trendy and bold flavored ale – is on the rise. Sales are up and microbreweries are thriving. Does this mean the end of lager? For those of us who still like easy going beers, you can rest assured. The craft beer revolution isn’t only about overhopped IPAs and experimental stouts. Craft brewers are now jumping into...
Five things you didn’t know about stout beer
Stout is just one of those delights in life that never tires. But do you know all there is to know about stout? Here are 5 fun facts about this tasty dark beer.
Rotterdam’s newest beer festival
One of the things I love most about Rotterdam is its innovative spirit and how it embraces new developments and sustainable solutions. Uit Je Eigen Stad, which literally translates as ‘From Your Own City’ is one of those great initiatives, an urban farm that grows its own produce to serve in their restaurant. What better place to have Rotterdam’s first...
Becoming a beer sommelier – Part 1
After spontaneously starting this blog in April last year, things took a more serious turn when I signed up for the Dutch Stibon beer sommelier training in September. I learned a lot of new things and it actually made me even more enthusiastic about the world of beer. If you’re thinking about following the Dutch Stibon beer sommelier course or...
Trending: The Beer Can
Brewers have started making a switch to cans and there is no stopping them. Are beer cans the future? According to the latest 2017 figures of consumer research firm Nielsen, cans now make up a quarter of the beers sold in the UK. There are, however, still several arguments against using cans. Here are some pros and cons regarding beer...
How to celebrate New Year’s Eve with beer
New Year’s Eve is traditionally the night for bubbly. Not a champagne lover? Here are a few ideas how to have a festive NYE with beer.
Christmas beer traditions
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with gorgeous winter ales? Though it may seem like another marketing ploy, the real story in fact is much more interesting than that.
Five things you didn’t know about Icelandic beer
Did you know Iceland makes great craft beer? Well, they do! Here are five other things you probably didn't know about Icelandic beer!
Trending: The Tap Takeover
Who doesn’t love fresh beer from the tap? The tap takeover is a great way to explore new beers, brewers and craft beer bars! Read more here about this new trend.
Behind the scenes with Hop in the Box
The story of two ambitious Brazilian beerpreneurs in Rotterdam. Eager, ambitious and full of inspiration, they have a compelling story. I made the bold move of inviting them to be my first interview for the blog. We spent a couple of hours talking about their business, their grand plans and of course trying out a few beers.
Five things you didn’t know about Bock beer
Tis the bock season! You probably have a few in the fridge right now. So while you are sipping one, here are five fun facts about bock beer.
The meaning of ‘hoppy’
It's time to set the record straight once and for all. If you've been using the word 'hoppy' to describe your beer, you've probably been using it wrong. So what does hoppy really mean?
The magic of Borefts
I finally made it to Holland’s most famous beer festival! My first time at Borefts Beer Festival didn’t disappoint. About 20 breweries were invited for the festival, spanning two days, September 22 & 23. If you're going to a beer festival for the first time, here are some tips to make it a great one!
NEIPA: a new beer style?
The haze craze has hit Holland. If you are a beer fan, it can't have gone unnoticed: the New England IPA. It's popping up in bars everywhere. But isn't IPA already a beer style?
Tips for a sour summer
I never thought I would say this. I recently discovered sour beer and I love it! You are now probably making the same yucky face as I did when I had my first taste of sour beer a year ago. Sour beer, really? Like all good things in life (coffee, smelly cheese, sauerkraut) I believe it’s a question of opening...
World’s longest beer garden
A mile long beer fest, wouldn’t that be phenomenal? It exists! Although not a local Rotterdam beer event, this experience was so special, I had to include it in my blog. The International Berlin Beer Festival, also called ‘the beer mile’, is an amazing 2,2 kilometer beer festival right in the heart of the city, near Alexanderplatz. According to the...
Best beer stores in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam we only boast a handful of beer stores, but the quality is excellent! Here are my go-to stores when I go beer shopping.
Made in Rotterdam! Discovering local brews
Do you know how many brewers there are in Rotterdam? Until recently I thought I knew. At least six. Most people I asked can name three or four. Then I did a little research. I counted fifteen! Here is an overview of craft breweries in Rotterdam.
Blue economy beer
If you live in Rotterdam or occasionally visit, you most likely will know the glass dome of Tropicana on the Maasboulevard. Formerly a tropical swimming pool, it has stood abandoned for many years. What you may not know is that it is back in use since 2016 and is thriving as a circular economy experiment called BlueCity. There are over...
Top 10 craft beer bars in Rotterdam
Rotterdam has become a trendy city for a number of reasons, not least of all because of the fun and diverse range of craft beer bars that are popping up all over town. Here is my personal top 10 of really awesome bars for the full Rotterdam beer experience.
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