GROLSCH
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Founding a brewery during the Dutch Revolt was a bold move, but it did not deter Willem Neerfeldt, our founder, who opened a brewery in the Dutch town of Grolle in 1615.
Around 1650, an ambitious apprentice named Peter Kuijper joined the brewery. According to the story, Peter fell in love with Janniker, Willem's daughter. To win her hand, he had to brew the tastiest beer in his father's brewery. His third attempt was a success, incorporating a second variety of hops, an innovation for the time.
This is how the unique taste of Grolsch beer was born.
TWO TYPES OF HOPS, TWO TYPES OF BARLEY
Peter Kuijper selected two distinct hops: one for flavor, the other for aroma.
Even today, we use these same Hallertau, Emerald and Magnum hops in our recipe, giving Grolsch its complex and generous taste, so distinctive.
DEFINED BY TENACITY
In 1922, Theo de Groen took over the brewery in the city of Enschede. Known for his innovative spirit, it's no surprise that when the cap bottle became the new standard for beer packaging, Theo had another idea: I decide what I put my beer in .
So the swing-top cap remained, giving Grolsch its distinctive appearance and making it one of the most iconic beer bottles in the world.
THE SAME FRESH WATER AS THAT OF 1615
Grolsch has been brewed traditionally for centuries, but on May 13, 2000, an explosion at a local fireworks factory, located less than 200 meters away, severely damaged the brewery. Despite the damage, our daring spirit allowed us to overcome this ordeal. We built a 7km pipeline from the old brewery, allowing us to access our original water source dating from 1615 and ensuring the beer still tastes great.
STAYING TRUE TO OUR HERITAGE
Every day we make authentic choices. The new Grolsch brewery is among the most innovative in the world. Our uncompromising commitment drives us to use the best natural ingredients and the purest water. It also means that we are committed to building a better future, taking sustainability very seriously: 99.8% of our waste is recycled and our brewing process meets the strictest environmental standards. For a real beer, that inspires real interactions.
MORE THAN 45 COUNTRIES WHERE WE CONNECT FOR REAL
Real moments can only be experienced in the real world. And it's happening all over the world, right now!