Fort Westoever from the air

Breweries and craft beer in Den Helder

Follow us on social:

Local brewers with character and history

Drinking beer in Den Helder?

Den Helder surprises beer lovers too. Here, you won't find your standard pilsner, but characterful beers with a story. From small batches to world-famous wild ales: in this seaside city, you'll find brewers who work with courage, passion, and craftsmanship. Discover the flavors of Den Helder, straight from the barrel, bottle, or tap.

A true Helden classic is the De Helderse Jongens brewery, housed in a Napoleonic-era fort. Here you can sample beers with names like Dorus and Napoleon. It's not quite Helderser. The location exudes history, and the beer craftmanship. A must for anyone who loves beer and atmosphere.

For those who want to delve even deeper into the niche, nano-brewery Dijk en Duin has been brewing small batches with a generous dose of creativity since 2019. Two brothers, home-built equipment, and sometimes even homegrown hops—the result is a series of unique beers with a unique edge.

Fort Westoever from the air
Three wild beers from Tommi Sjef
Wild ales from Den Helder with world fame

Tommie Sjef

What began with a fascination for the crisp, sour character of Geuze has grown into one of the most unique beer projects in the Netherlands. Tommie Sjef Koenen, born and raised in Den Helder, creates wild ales that impress the world, from beer lovers to Michelin-starred chefs.

His brewery is housed in a warehouse filled with oak barrels, where beers mature for years before being blended and bottled. The result? Complex, balanced beers that you can only order through his website. And if you're lucky, you can pick them up personally, including a mini-tour from the master himself. A hidden gem in Den Helder, where craftsmanship, patience, and originality converge in every bottle.

Still thirsty?

More places for craft beer lovers

Not a brewer yourself, but seriously good at beer? Then head to fish restaurant Neptunes by the harbor. Known for its delicious fish dishes, pleasant atmosphere, and surprisingly good craft beer menu. Willemsoord is also a great place to be. At restaurant De Werf, you can enjoy Guinness on tap – in a nautical setting that perfectly suits the city.

Whether you're looking for a locally brewed pale ale, a wildly fermented sour, or a robust stout, Den Helder has you covered. Cheers to craftsmanship, ocean views, and beers with a story.

Discover the breweries, beer cafes and hidden gems with character and story

Here you can taste Den Helder in a glass

placeholder-bg
Going out
Brown café with billiards and a cozy atmosphere in Den Helder
placeholder-bg
Small catering industry
Cozy village cafe with darts, drinks and local events in Julianadorp
Going out
Cozy bar with terrace, live music and long evenings on Breewaterplein

Stay informed

Already 5,000 readers receive weekly updates.
Tips, events and new places.
Subscribe to our newsletter.