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The last week of May is the Week of Dutch Beer. Which Dutch beer styles are there, which breweries should you know, and how do you give beer as a gift - for Father's Day, the World Cup, your coach, or just because?
From May 27th to May 31st, the Netherlands will be all about craft beer. The Week of Dutch Beer is an annual celebration of Dutch brewing culture: breweries open their doors, there are tastings across the country, and there is more than enough reason to try something new.
Whether you are organizing a Friday afternoon drink with your team, looking for a special activity in your area, or just want to know which beers are tasty right now - this is the ultimate overview. And with the Biercheque, picking out beers becomes even more festive.
Which beers are currently the tastiest?
This is the season for fresh, accessible beers. What you currently see a lot among beer lovers:
Blond beer is the classic: light in color, somewhat sweet, very drinkable. Perfect for a summer afternoon outside. Many Dutch breweries have their own blond beer in their range.
Witbier (wheat beer) is even fresher, often with a hint of coriander or orange peel. Cloudy in color and highly drinkable in warm weather.
IPA and NEIPA (New England IPA) are for those who love character. Fruitful, sometimes floral, with a soft bitterness. NEIPA is the softer variant - less bitter, more tropical fruit. Increasingly popular among craft beer fans.
Alcohol-free options are also no longer what they used to be. Many of the styles above are now available in an alcohol-free version - and the quality has increased significantly in recent years. Practical if not everyone drinks alcohol, but still wants to enjoy the taste of special beers.
But what if you want to discover new beers, but don't really know where to start? Or if you are often inclined to choose what you already know? Or what if you are looking for a gift for a true beer lover, but want to approach it a bit more originally than a traditional beer package?
The Biercheque as a gift - from Father's Day to the World Cup
Do you already know the Biercheque? It is a gift card that you can redeem at affiliated beer locations in the Netherlands - including specialty shops, breweries, and hospitality venues. You receive the voucher digitally or physically, and choose where to redeem it. Great fun to give to beer lovers, whether they are just starting to explore special beers or have been carrying years of knowledge and love for beer. Because the big advantage: they can choose for themselves where, when, and especially which beer they want to try. This way, no recipient is left with a huge beer package of which they might not like half or would never have chosen.
In the coming weeks, gift-giving moments are piling up. Father's Day (June 21st) is an obvious one: for the father who likes to pick his own beer, a Biercheque is more fun than a six-pack you grab from the supermarket yourself. The football World Cup starts mid-June - a Biercheque for the first match is a nice gesture if you want to put someone in the spotlight. And don't forget the end of the season and the school year: trainers, coaches, and teachers who were ready all year round deserve more than a thank-you message in the group chat or yet another mug with 'best teacher' on it.
Via Cadeo, you can easily gift a Biercheque to one or a large number of recipients. For example, give it as a team gift to your employees or customers. No hassle with addresses or packages - they choose the redemption point that suits them. View the Biercheque on Cadeo here.
And where can you redeem the Biercheque? View the more than 140 redemption points throughout the country on the Biercheque website.
Weekend activities at Biercheque partners this week
In the Netherlands, we have numerous beautiful beer locations and breweries, so the Biercheque can be redeemed at breweries all over the country. During the Week of Dutch Beer, we like to put these breweries in the spotlight and they open their doors to us. Experience beer in its optimal form during this week.
1. Taste the flavor of Staverden at city brewery Staverden, Ermelo
City brewery Staverden invites you all week (until May 31st) to discover their craft beers during a cozy beer tasting. Be surprised by the unique flavors, aromas, and stories behind the beers, brewed with passion. More info
2. Pub quiz at Haags Hoog in The Hague
This recurring pub quiz on May 30th contains special beer questions surrounding the Week of Dutch Beer and is highly recommended. Organized by Haags Hoog in collaboration with their neighbors from brewery Eiber Bier. More info
3. Craft tasting at brewery Eleven in Utrecht
On May 30th, beer sommelier Koen Hartman will take you through six Eleven beers: styles, ingredients, and the story behind each beer. For seasoned beer connoisseurs as well as for those who just want to do something fun and casual beer lovers. More info
4. Open tasting & guided tour at City Brewery Wageningen
Here you can join a guided tour with three tasting glasses individually on May 30th. You will hear all about how the recipes are created, the local ingredients, and the history of the craft brewery. More info
5. Open day at Muifelbrouwerij in Oss
This beautiful brewery is normally not open to the public - this weekend it is. On May 30th, you can look, taste, and experience extensively. More info
6. Free experience tour at City Brewery Vos in Elburg
On May 31st, there is free entry, an interactive tour, a tasting room, and the shop is open extra hours. Meet the brewer, taste, experience, and ask your questions. More info
Do you want to look for more activities in your region? View the full overview here!
Cheers - and gifting beer via Cadeo
Whether it's Father's Day, the end of the sports season, a team drink during the World Cup, or just a Friday afternoon when someone deserves a beer - the Biercheque is a gift that always lands well. And via Cadeo, you can easily give it to one person or to your entire team at the same time.
How it works: you choose the Biercheque on the Cadeo platform, provide email addresses, and personalize the message. The recipient receives a link and can then get started themselves. No minimum purchase, no long-term contract. You only pay upon redemption.
Want to know how it works for your team? Schedule an introduction - we are happy to think along with you.
Want to do gifting right as well?
Contact us now to see how we can help you with a tailored solution.
