The consumption of beer in the Netherlands has been increasing for years. In 2016, almost 50% of the Dutch drank a beer every month (source: National Beer Survey 2016). Time to see what this thirst quencher has in store for us in the coming year. Thomas Wijns lists the five most important trends.
Beerologist, zythologist or beer sommelier. Whatever you call him: Thomas Wijns is a true beer connoisseur. Thomas is associated with Warsteiner as a zythologist and is also brand ambassador for servetheperfectbeer.com† Looking into his (beer) crystal ball, he has listed five trends that beer-loving Netherlands can look forward to in 2017, with tasty suggestions that are available in the Netherlands.
1. Two traditional brewing countries are making a comeback: England and Germany
In recent years, the diversity in the beer shelf has grown considerably. The advance of local Dutch beers as well as Belgian and American brands was significant. In the coming year, the beers from the traditional brewing countries -England and Germany- will increasingly find their way to the Dutch beer drinker. There is still a lot to discover in that segment in terms of tradition, taste and quality. Think for example of German Doppelbocken (e.g. Koning Ludwig Schlossbrauerei Kaltenberg Ritterbock*), Rauchbier (e.g. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier), Mai-bocken (e.g. Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock) and Kellerbier (e.g. St. Georgen Brau Keller beer) . Or the English Brown ales, Golden ales (think Wychwood Hobgoblin and Hobgoblin Gold) and traditional Porters, such as Fuller's London Porter and St. Peters Old Style Porter.
2. Pilsner 2.0
Dutch (local) beer brewers have exploded like mushrooms in recent years. After this continued growth, the focus is now shifting to delivering continuous quality. Not only are brewers more focused on delivering 'always the same taste', but also in retail there is more focus on the quality of beer sales. Refrigerated shelves with canned beer is the most important development in this regard. This ensures that beer will taste longer and better. After all, light and air are the two biggest enemies of beer.
New and small brewers are also more likely to brew pilsner – one of the most challenging beer styles to brew technically. A harbinger of this trend can already be seen in the US and England, where new breweries are introducing unfiltered pilsners and German pilsner types. Examples of this trend are Four Pure from London and Lagunitas from the USA. After the explosion of extreme beer flavors, the beer lover still opts for a tasteful thirst quencher with character. Pilsener is the most drunk beer style in the world for a reason.
3. Total experience at the brewpub
The arrival of many new breweries has provided a tremendous boost to beer culture in the Netherlands, with the local character in particular adding value to many beer drinkers. A logical consequence is that more and more breweries are opening a tasting room at the brewery. This is especially of added value for India Pale Ale (IPA) beers, because IPA offers the best taste experience when it is drunk as fresh as possible.
A number of brewpubs in the Netherlands are De Kromme Haring in Utrecht, Van Moll in Eindhoven and Butchers Tears in Amsterdam.
We will also increasingly see remote brewpubs: Belgian (Delirium), American (Goose Island) and Scottish (Brewdog) brewpubs will open their doors. Their own beer range is completely intertwined with the DNA of the catering facility. These beer pubs are a franchise of the brewer where the range mainly consists of the 'craft beers' of the brewer.
4. Lots of flavor with less alcohol
The consumption of slightly alcoholic beers and non-alcoholic beers has been on the rise for years. This growth will certainly continue in the coming years. It is therefore logical that brewers are increasingly focusing on brewing more tasteful light-alcoholic and alcohol-free beers. Examples include BrewDog Dead Pony or Jopen Life's a beach (slightly alcoholic) and Warsteiner Alkoholfrei and Weihenstephaner Original Alkoholfrei (non-alcoholic). The taste and quality are the leading factors in these beers, not the alcohol.
5. Beer and fruit: the combination to look forward to
The Radlers have been on the rise for years. Last December, Warsteiner Premium Radler was named best product in the 'Beer' category in the "Best Product of the Year 2016-2017" election, in which various beer types were nominated. In addition to the Radler segment, a new niche is emerging with beer combined with various fruit peels and juices. Think of an IPA mixed with grapefruit juice (such as BrewDog Elvis Juice), a heavy stout with coconut or a triple with grape juice, such as the d'Achouffe Château d'Ychouffe. These beers will have a certain freshness in them in combination with fruit. They've been working on this for a while in the US. The motto there is currently: “Sour is the new bitter”.
*Will be introduced in the Netherlands later this year
Author: Thomas Wijns
