THURSTY | CHOOSE FOR LOCAL BEER

Beer is also produced in Maastricht. Limburg has a thriving beer culture with many breweries, both large and small, producing a wide variety of beer styles. Maastricht, like many other Dutch cities, has its own local breweries that craft beers for both local consumption and distribution to other regions. Taste local beer in Maastricht in the oldest beer pub. Our editor Mickey Smith from MAASTRICHT MAGAZINE ONLINE gives you here an overview!

Beer made in Maastricht | Oldest beverage in the world

The beer is one of the oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverages in the world, beside wines. It is a product from four primary ingredients: water, malted barley (or other grains), hops, and yeast. The brewing process involves several steps, including mashing, boiling, fermenting, and conditioning.

What is beer made of?

It is typically made from four primary ingredients: water, malted barley (or other grains), hops, and yeast. The brewing process involves several steps, including mashing, boiling, fermenting, and conditioning. Here’s a brief overview of each ingredient and the brewing process:

Water: Water makes up the bulk of beer and serves as the base for the entire brewing process. The mineral content and quality of the water can significantly affect the flavor of the final beer. Malted Barley (or Grains): Malted barley is the primary source of fermentable sugars in beer. It’s soaked, germinated, and then dried in a process called malting, which activates enzymes necessary for brewing. Other grains like wheat, rye, oats, and corn can also be used in brewing to create various beer styles.

Hops: Hops are the flowers (or cones) of the hop plant and are used primarily as a flavoring and aromatic agent in beer. They provide bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malt, contribute various flavors and aromas, and act as a natural preservative. Yeast: Yeast is a microorganism responsible for fermentation, where it consumes the sugars from the malt and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different yeast strains produce various flavors and aromas, influencing the style and character of the beer.

The process | Making beer in Maastricht

The brewing process generally follows these steps:

Mashing: Milled malted barley is mixed with hot water to create a mash, which activates enzymes that convert starches into sugars. This produces a sugary liquid known as wort. Boiling: The wort is boiled, and hops are added at various times during the boil to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma. Boiling also sterilizes the wort.

Fermentation: After boiling, the wort is cooled and transferred to a fermentation vessel. Yeast is added, and fermentation begins. This can take several days to weeks, depending on the beer style. Conditioning: After primary fermentation, the beer may undergo additional conditioning, which can include aging, clarification, and carbonation. Packaging: Finally, the beer is packaged in bottles, cans, or kegs for distribution and consumption.

The variety of beer styles is vast, with differences in flavor, aroma, appearance, and mouthfeel. These variations arise from factors such as the choice of ingredients, brewing techniques, yeast strains, and aging processes. Popular beer styles include lagers, ales, stouts, IPAs (India Pale Ales), and many more, each with its unique characteristics and flavor profiles.

Local Beer in Maastricht | Types

Maastricht, and the region offers a range of local beers that reflect the country’s diverse beer culture. The taste of moste beer goes well with local dishes like zuurvlees or stamppot! While the specific beers available may change over time due to the creativity of local brewers and evolving trends, here are some typical styles of Dutch and Belgian beers that you might find in Maastricht:

Bock Beer: Bock is a strong, malty beer with various substyles like Doppelbock and Maibock. It’s typically available in the fall and winter months. Witbier: Witbier, which means “white beer,” is a Belgian-style wheat beer often with a light coriander and orange peel taste. It’s a refreshing choice, especially in the summer during a picnic or alfresco terrace dining!

Tripel: A strong pale ale with a higher alcohol content, Tripels are famous for their complexity, fruity esters, and spicy notes. Dubbel: A darker, maltier beer with a rich, caramel-like sweetness. It’s less strong than a Tripel but still has a moderate alcohol content. Saison: A farmhouse ale with a complex, fruity, and spicy flavor profile. Saisons are often characterized by their refreshing and dry finish. Abbey/Trappist Ale: While not unique to Maastricht, Belgian-style Abbey and Trappist ales, often brewed by monastic communities, are popular choices. These beers can range from lighter and more approachable to dark and complex.

The Classic TOP3 of Local Beers!

Here are the top three of local beer you can taste in Maastricht!

Chosen by the MAASTRICHT MAGAZINE ONLINE

Gulpener Beer since 1825 | Gulpen

Gulpener Bierbrouwerij is a well-known brewery based in Gulpen along the Mergelland Route. They produce a range of traditional and craft beers, including pilsners, bocks, and specialty beers with e.g. cherries. Gulpener is famous for its commitment to sustainability and using locally sourced ingredients, which adds to its popularity and appeal among beer enthusiasts in the Netherlands.

ALFA Beer since 1870 | Thull

Alfa Brouwerij, the brewery behind Alfa Beer, is operating since 1870 and is famous for producing a variety of beer styles, including pilsner and bock. They emphasize traditional brewing methods and the use of high-quality ingredients, which has contributed to their reputation for producing good-quality beer. Alfa Beer is a local beer brand that originates from the southern part of the Netherlands, specifically from the town of Thull in Limburg. While it may not be as widely known internationally as some other Dutch beer brands, it has a loyal following in the region and is a local specialty.

Brand Beer since 1340 | Wijlre

Brand beer is a well-known and respected Dutch beer brand. It’s not specific to Maastricht but is produced by the Brand Bierbrouwerij, which is located in the town of Wijlre in the southern part of the Netherlands, not too far from Maastricht. Brand has a history dating back to 1340, making it one of the oldest breweries in the Netherlands. Brand produces a range of beer styles, including pilsner, dubbelbock, and others. Their pilsner, in particular, is quite popular and widely available throughout the Netherlands. The beer flavored with cherries is like dream of summer!

While it may not be exclusive to Maastricht, you can likely find Brand beer in many bars, restaurants, and stores like Bijenkorf in Maastricht and the surrounding region. It’s one of the more prominent Dutch beer brands with local quality and tradition.