The Brothers of Saint John and their priory tell a story. The same applies to the brewery and the beers it produces. The story, and the experience that goes with it, has been translated into the beers. The core values are reflection & meeting, quality & individuality.
The beers are brewed with their roots in tradition, but with an unmistakable modern twist. Because the four basic ingredients (water, malt, hops and yeast) provide so many possibilities in the brewing process, the brewer limits himself to this basis, with the occasional exception that proves the rule.
Oak barrels
Some of the heavier beers are also matured in oak barrels (Bourbon, Marsala, Oloroso, Whiskey), which gives them extra complexity and character.
Wild fermentation
Finally, some of the beer is set aside to undergo a wild fermentation. This is done in wooden barrels in the cellars of the monastery. There the beers and wild yeasts are given plenty of time to develop their special flavors and are then blended into a series of special and very exclusive beers.
Monastery
The monastery is located in the historic center of The Hague. A stone's throw from Noordeinde Palace and the Binnenhof. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, peace and quiet are important in the monastery. At the same time, the monks would like to engage in conversation and share this beautiful place with others. This sharing happens during retreats, in the shop and by brewing and selling the monastery's own beer.
Guided tours
For groups of 10 people or more, this is possible by appointment and for smaller groups there are open tours every month.
Monastery life today
During the tour you will visit the beautiful monumental monastery chapel and the refectory, where a secret church used to stand. You'll get a glimpse into what contemporary monastic life looks like today. You discover what inspires young brothers to choose such a dedicated life now. You will also learn all about the rich history of this place.
Brewing process and tasting
The passionate brewers will tell you in detail how the brewing process works, how they play with the different ingredients, but also what the brewing process looked like in the past and what actually makes monastery beer so special.
The tour ends with a tasting of 3 of beers.
