After 3 nights in Amsterdam we took a leisurely drive through the Netherlands. Interwoven with canals, grand cathedrals, old homes, farms and occasional windmills, our drive provided mesmerizing views and ample opportunities to stop and explore.
The drive also afforded the opportunity to find great beer. Here are just a few of my favorite beer stops during our drive on this trip.
Utrecht
Located in central Netherlands, Utrecht offers medieval charm and architecture. Beautiful canals, often lined with restaurants, criss-cross the city.
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It is also the home of Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands. The large student population brings energy, diverse cultural enthusiasm and a demand for fun and entertaining night life.
Tucked away in the city is a pub named Cafe Olivier. Specializing in Belgian beers, Cafe Olivier has over 85 beer selections to choose from for your drinking pleasure.
Located in an old church, Cafe Olivier offers a wonderful ambiance. Many of the interior elements date from the 1860’s, including the altar, vaults and organ.
Berkel-Enschot (near Tilburg)
Brouwerij De Koningshoeven is a Dutch Trappist Brewery founded in 1884 within the walls of Koningshoeven Abbey. The brewery is famous for producing a line of outstanding beers under the brand name La Trappe. In fact, most people call it La Trappe Brewery.
Tours of the brewery are possible and just outside the abbey walls are La Trappe restaurant/tasting room, a gift shop and some beautiful gardens.
The restaurant provides indoor and outdoor seating. An excellent selection of food is on the menu.
More importantly, you can sample all nine of the world-famous La Trappe beers.
Two of my favorites are the La Trappe Tripel and the Quad.
La Trappe Tripel is clear gold in color with a foamy white head. The beer delivers a fruity and flowery aroma and a slightly malty, sweet taste with a mildly dry and bitter finish.
La Trappe Quad is amber-colored with a creamy head. An aroma of vanilla, raisins and banana accented with clove and nuts springs from the glass. The beer is full-bodied with a sweet malty flavor complemented with caramel and date notes.
You can also try an oak-aged version of the quad that is available exclusively at La Trappe and only in bottles. The oak adds a wood character to the aroma and taste.
Be certain to tour the gardens and visit the gift shop where you can buy the oak aged quad to take home.
Eindhoven
Located in southern Netherlands, Eindhoven is best known as a technology and design hub. It is the fifth largest city in the Netherlands.
Eindhoven is also the home of a funky, hip brewpub called Van Moll. Started in 2013, Van Moll’s brewing philosophy is to experiment with bold and brazen concepts to create exciting new tastes and flavors.
The brewpub also offers a large selection of guest beers. To be honest, I was not enamored with the house beers I tried. However, the huge range of excellent guest beers readily offsets any hesitation I could have in visiting again and often.
Couple the broad selection of beers with the artsy atmosphere and you are certain to have a fun time.
