{"id":106055,"date":"2019-11-15T14:16:21","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T13:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=106055"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:34","slug":"home-brew-from-a-rare-and-historical-part-of-rotterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2019\/11\/15\/home-brew-from-a-rare-and-historical-part-of-rotterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Home brew from a rare and historical part of Rotterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"

This bar is actually suited for everyone. But it\u2019s extra fun if you\u2019re interested in a bit of history, and like drinking beer brewed on the premises. EM checked out this relatively young brewery based in a historical corner of Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

\"\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmber Leijen<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Stadsbrouwerij Pelgrim (\u2018Pilgrim Town Brewery\u2019) is located in Delfshaven in West Rotterdam. If you\u2019re new to the city or have never ventured beyond the city centre, this picturesque neighbourhood is definitely worth paying a visit. Because it\u2019s one of the few areas that survived the bombing of the old town during the Second World War. Strolling along Delfshaven\u2019s canal, surrounded by centuries-old buildings, it feels as if you\u2019re in a different city altogether.<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmber Leijen<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

In the Netherlands, having a drink surrounded by old buildings isn\u2019t particularly special. But this historical setting offers something unique, and the fun thing about this bar is that they\u2019ve been brewing their own beer here since 1996. Of course, photographer Amber and I will be sampling a few for your benefit. The bar-brewery is found next to the Pilgrim Fathers\u2019 Church. This old church is named in commemoration of the English settlers who sailed from this port in the 1600s, bound for the Americas. So that explains the name of the brewery.<\/p>\n

Stoombier<\/h2>

It looks cosy already from the outside, and after entering, we end up in a spacious hallway. The door on the right takes us to the caf\u00e9 proper. The place is nice and busy, but we still find an open spot along the bar. People of all ages are clustered around the high and low tables, enjoying themselves. We\u2019re given a friendly welcome by the bar crew. They don\u2019t sell regular pilsner here, so they offer us one of their own brews, Stoombier, instead. An excellent alternative: this fresh pale ale goes down really well.<\/p>\n

So the various liquids in our glasses are actually brewed on the premises. The barman points us to the area where the magic happens: opposite the door to the bar in the hallway we just entered. You\u2019re free to have a look around. There are big kettles with all sorts of gewgaws that we don\u2019t claim to understand, but the place definitely looks the part.<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmber Leijen<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Moving on to the menu, we find all sorts of dishes that \u2013 how could it be otherwise \u2013 have beer as an ingredient, like Pilgrims\u2019 Cheese and beef stew with bock beer. The snacks menu lists the usual deep-fried treats, but also more left-field options like beer p\u00e2t\u00e9 and veggie dippers with baba ganoush. We decide on a platter of Parma ham with toast and some green garnish for the looks. The slices are a bit thick but taste none the worse for it. No point hopping around on one leg, so we correct that situation with a second beer. This time, we go for the Zonnelief: a mild wheat beer with raspberry, which turns out to be a lot less sweet than expected, but delicious nonetheless.<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div>

Both the bar-brewery itself and the surrounding area feel like one big museum. The collection of old beer mugs hanging over the bar and Pelgrim\u2019s array of different beer glasses take you back to the olden days. If the weather\u2019s right, you can sit along the canal or in the establishment\u2019s courtyard. But today, we\u2019re staying inside where it\u2019s nice and warm. It\u2019s a great place to have a drink or grab something to eat with your date, but it\u2019s equally suited for playing a board game with friends on a chilly afternoon. And if you prefer, it\u2019s also a great spot to while away a few hours on your own, enjoying the view and musing about bygone times.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Read the previous review<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t