Jopen beer at the Jopenkerk

As you may or may not remember from virtually every post about when I have been out in Haarlem, we are usually drinking Jopen beer. Jopen is a beer brand originating in Haarlem, born out of the desire to recreate traditional beer (using recipes from the Haarlem archives) and to bring this to the commercial market (the website offers a much more extensive history of the story!). Although previously brewed in Berkel-Enschot and Ertvelde (in Belgium), in 2005 it was announced that the Jacobskerk in Haarlem would be transformed into the new brewery, and renamed the Jopenkerk. In 2010 Jopenkerk was opened to the public, offering tours, tastings, and the opportunity to eat and drink in the cafe and restaurant.

Church exterior & terrace

Strangely as this is one of the 'must-sees' of Haarlem I had never been before, and I was pleased 2-times-over that our American friend returned to Haarlem from Amsterdam (bringing 2 other friends with her) and we had the chance to all go together. Unfortunately on the day we went it was pretty cold, and so we were not able to sit on the terrace filling the square outside the church, but we managed to find space at one of the large wooden benches inside. The interior clearly shows the building for what it is; a brewery in a church, with its high arched ceilings, stained glass windows, and customary Latin phrases, along side great big brass brewing containers, long wooden benches, leather sofas, and a huge bar with Jopen logo.

bar & stained glass windows

view from the bench

American friends

There are 13 Jopen beers, 5 of which I have tried:

• Lentebier (springtime beer, 7%, light and a nice crowd-pleaser for all occasions!)
• Jopen Koyt (strong gruit beer, 8.5%, made with "medieval blend of herbs" which float in the drink, fairly dark, interesting flavour...not my favourite because of the texture created by the floating herbs)
• Ongelovige Thomas (Dutch take of a quadruple beer, 10%, rich and malty, very dark, the Night Watch favourite)
• Malle Babbe (wheat beer, 5.5%, usually the first Jopen everyone is recommended as it is purportedly fruity, I would not have been able to tell you this but I think it is a nice alternative to the usual spring beer, and is very tasty)
• Jopen extra stout (Dutch dry stout, 5.5%, very very dark "the espresso of beers", do not order this when you've found out that the Ongelovige Thomas is finished and you think it will be sort of similar, it isn't. I did not like it at all.)

And 8 I have not tried, either because they are seasonal and not currently on offer, or because I haven't gotten around to it yet - this is something I need to change before I leave Haarlem!

• Gerstebier (4.5%)
• Jopen Hoppen (6.8%)
• Mooie Nel IPA (6.5%)
• Jacobus RPA (5.5%)
• Adriaan wit (5%)
• Johannieter (9%)
• Bokbier (6.5%)
• Tinitas Tripel (9%)

Night Watch & Ongelovige Thomas

Despite being slightly confused about the pricing at the the Jopenkerk (for some reason the same beer is more expensive here than at other places?), I will definitely come back - and if I can find the time (and money...) take a tour of the brewery.

The Pride flag at the town hall on central square near Jopenkerk

After finishing up our drinks, we came back to the hostel for dinner, before moving onto Studio, a Dutch cafe come bar with a large projector screen (& stage, usually hosting live music) to watch the football. Unfortunately for me as a long-term avoider of all things football, I seem to now be in a situation where its virtually everywhere...at least its a nice social activity, and although its unlikely, perhaps I will learn a new appreciation for something? Tot Volgende keer!