Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat

Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat is a Dutch craft brewery based in Almkerk, North Brabant. It was founded in 2019 by brothers Hans Anton and Clement Verschoor, who had previously worked in IT and mechanical engineering respectively. The brewery is named after the former 17th-century Rechthuis (courthouse and inn) of Almkerk, and its beer names — such as Diefhenker and Dochter van de Burgemeester — loosely reference historical figures associated with the café beneath the courtroom. The brothers invested one million euros in the brewery, which was built in a converted 17th-century farmhouse. Brewing began in January 2020, and the brewery's official opening was planned for March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that period De Magistraat could only offer take-away, and it commercially launched its first beers that year. In early 2022, when hospitality venues fully reopened, the brewery's tasting room (proeflokaal) opened its doors. In May 2024, Léon Rodenburg joined as a third shareholder and full-time brewer after two years as brewer and beer sommelier at De Magistraat; that same year he was named Dutch Champion Beer Sommelier. The brewery produces a diverse range of beers, including Dikke Prins (IPA, 5.4%), Dochter van de Burgemeester (blond, 5.9%), Scheepstimmerman (tripel, 8.8%), Dienstmeid van de Rijksontvanger (fruit beer, 6.9%), Vuurboeter (barleywine, 12.5%), Diefhenker (dubbel, 7.3%), Questeerder (strong blond, 9.0%), and Zusje van de Dienstmeid (low-alcohol fruit beer, 0.3%). The brewery has received recognition at the Dutch Beer Challenge: in 2023, Pikjongen and Questeerder won bronze medals in the 'Dark - Imperial Stout' and 'Blond - Heavy Blond' categories, and in 2024 Scheepstimmerman won gold in the 'Blond - Tripel' category. De Magistraat operates a brewpub and webshop, with opening hours and delivery times announced via its official website.

Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat was founded in 2019 by brothers Hans Anton and Clement Verschoor in Almkerk, North Brabant. The name 'De Magistraat' is inspired by the former 17th-century Rechthuis (courthouse and inn) of Almkerk, which served as a court building and tavern. The brewery's beer names, such as 'Diefhenker' and 'Dochter van de Burgemeester', loosely refer to historical figures who visited the café beneath the courtroom. In 2018, Hans Anton and Clement Verschoor decided to found a brewery after having worked for 25 years in the IT sector and mechanical engineering, respectively. Hans Anton had already gained years of experience as a hobby brewer. In early 2019, the necessary permits were granted and construction of the brewery began in an old 17th-century farmhouse in Almkerk. The brothers invested one million euros in the brewery. In January 2020, the Verschoor brothers began brewing in the converted farmhouse. The brewery was to officially open in March 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the opening was postponed. During that period, De Magistraat could only offer take-away. That year, the brewery commercially launched its first beers. In early 2022, hospitality venues were allowed to fully reopen, which gave a positive turn to De Magistraat's activities. In the spring of 2022, De Magistraat's tasting room (proeflokaal) opened its doors. In May 2024, Léon Rodenburg joined as a third shareholder and full-time brewer, after having been active as a brewer and beer sommelier at De Magistraat for two years. In the same year, he was named 'Dutch Champion Beer Sommelier'. The brewery produces a diverse range of beers, including Dikke Prins (IPA, 5.4%), Dochter van de Burgemeester (blond, 5.9%), Scheepstimmerman (tripel, 8.8%), Dienstmeid van de Rijksontvanger (fruit beer, 6.9%), Vuurboeter (barleywine, 12.5%), Diefhenker (dubbel, 7.3%), Questeerder (strong blond, 9.0%), and Zusje van de Dienstmeid (low-alcohol fruit beer, 0.3%). In 2023, the beers Pikjongen and Questeerder won bronze medals in the 'Dark - Imperial Stout' and 'Blond - Heavy Blond' categories at the Dutch Beer Challenge. A year later, in 2024, Scheepstimmerman was awarded gold in the 'Blond - Tripel' category in the same competition.

• 2024

  Léon Rodenburg joins as third shareholder and full-time brewer; Scheepstimmerman wins gold at the Dutch Beer Challenge.

• 2023

  Pikjongen and Questeerder win bronze medals at the Dutch Beer Challenge.

• 2022

  Hospitality venues fully reopen; tasting room (proeflokaal) opens in spring.

• 2020

  Brewing begins in January; official opening postponed due to COVID-19; first beers commercially launched.

• 2019

  Permits granted and construction of the brewery begins in a 17th-century farmhouse in Almkerk; one million euros invested.

• 2018

  Hans Anton and Clement Verschoor decide to found a brewery after 25 years in IT and mechanical engineering.

Craft brewery with a historical and local identity, producing a diverse range of beers and operating a brewpub and webshop.

• Dikke Prins

• Dochter van de Burgemeester

• Scheepstimmerman

• Dienstmeid van de Rijksontvanger

• Vuurboeter

• Diefhenker

• Questeerder

• Zusje van de Dienstmeid

1. 1Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat official websitemagistraat.beer
2. 2Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat - Dutch Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org