Gulpener Brewery

Gulpen is a small town in the hills of South Limburg, in a valley of the little river Gulp, not far from Maastricht. This part of the Netherlands is unlike the rest of the country, with rolling slopes, orchards, vineyards and woods, and a gentler, more southern mood that owes much to the nearby Belgian border. The Gulpener brewery has made beer here since 1825, which makes it one of the oldest independent breweries in the Netherlands, and it is a major part of the town's identity.

Independence is a point of pride. Many Dutch breweries were absorbed into big international groups over the last century, but Gulpener has stayed in private hands, and it presents itself as a brewer that makes its own decisions. The brewery has become known for a series of choices about sustainability and the sourcing of raw materials, working with farmers in the surrounding region, including growing barley and using organic ingredients for some of its beers. The brewery cooperates with local farmers on projects to support nature, and one of its beers, Korenwolf, is named after the black hamster, a rare animal of the local fields that conservationists are trying to protect, with some of the proceeds used for its habitat.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the brewery, which explains the brewing process, the history of the company and its approach to sustainability. The tour typically passes through the brewhouse, where the grain is mashed and the wort is boiled, and past the tanks in which the beer ferments. A tasting follows in a dedicated room, where several of the brewery's beers can be sampled with snacks and an explanation of the flavours. Pilsner is the staple, and the range also includes darker and stronger beers and seasonal specials. Practical rules apply, such as age limits for the tour, and booking in advance is recommended.

The surroundings add to the visit. The Geul and Gulp valleys offer excellent walking and cycling, with steep lanes, half-timbered farmhouses and viewpoints, and the region produces wine and fruit. Maastricht, with its historic centre, is a short drive or bus ride away.

The brewery suits beer lovers, couples and groups of friends. A tour and tasting last about two hours. Check opening times and tour schedules, and plan transport, since the tasting involves alcohol. A walk through the valley afterwards makes a pleasant end to the visit.