Haarlem: Local Craft Beer Tasting In The Famous ‘Jopenkerk’

A church turned brewery is a beer lovers dream. Here you get a one hour Jopenkerk tasting with four pours and local snacks in a space that feels more like a landmark than a bar. I especially like the pairing of beer with bitterballen and the fact that a host explains what you are drinking as you go. One drawback to note: it is not for kids, since it is not suitable for anyone under 18.

The setting is the big hook. Jopenkerk is a former church in Haarlem, now a city brewery, so you are drinking craft beer inside tall, historic surroundings that make even a quick stop feel special. The tone stays friendly and relaxed, with staff who keep things moving and clear.

I think this works best if you want an easy, focused taste of Haarlem without a long night out. You get just enough structure to learn something, but the whole thing still feels casual. If you are chasing a huge menu or lots of beer beyond the tasting, you will need to pay extra on site.

Key moments to look forward to in the Jopenkerk tasting

• Four Jopen beers served in 15 cl tasting glasses, guided by a host
• Four bitterballen paired with your pours, classic Dutch comfort food
• A former church setting in Haarlem, now an impressive city brewery
• Short, clear explanations for each beer, so you know what to sip
• Wheelchair accessible tasting in a real, working brewery space
• Adult only experience, so the vibe stays mature and calm

Jopenkerk First Impressions: Haarlem’s church brewery feel

Walking into the Jopenkerk, the first thing you notice is the scale. You are not in a trendy warehouse room. You are inside a former church that has been transformed into a city brewery, so the atmosphere has that mix of old and new that Haarlem does well.

That setting matters more than you might think. A beer tasting is easy to rush if the room feels generic, but a dramatic space makes the hour feel intentional. Even without a full sit down tour, the building itself adds context to the drink, because you can sense you are part of a place that has been repurposed, not just decorated.

And you do not need to be a craft beer expert to enjoy it. The tasting is built for normal people, with a host offering brief explanations along the way, not a test you have to pass.

How the 1-hour tasting works (and what your schedule really feels like)

This experience is designed to be one hour of focused sampling. You are tasting four Jopen beers, each served in a 15 cl glass, and you are also eating four typical Dutch snacks: bitterballen. The rhythm is basically sip, snack, listen, repeat.

Because it is time boxed, it is a good fit when Haarlem has already filled your day with walking and shopping. You can slot this in before dinner, or after you have done the basics in the city center, and you still get something special without committing to a long evening.

Also, the host does the heavy lifting. You get background and insight about each beer as you taste, which means you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying. If you like learning in small bites, this format hits the sweet spot.

What you get for $29: value in a “guided sampling” format

At $29 per person, you are paying for three things: beer, food, and guided context. The tasting includes four tasting glasses of Jopen beer plus four bitterballen, and you get brief explanations from the host. That is not just drinks poured into a glass, it is an organized experience.

Here is the practical way I look at the value. If you were to buy four beers and four snacks separately, you would likely pay similar or more, and you would lose the host guidance that tells you what you are tasting and why it matters. The hour feels like a set menu for beer lovers, even though it is casual.

It is also a sensible deal if you are new to Jopen. You taste enough variety to find a favorite without ordering flight after flight on your own.

One consideration: if you are the type who wants to linger for multiple rounds beyond the planned tastings, you may end up ordering more to stay satisfied. The good news is that is allowed, you just pay for anything beyond what is included.

The beer part: four Jopen pours with an explanation for each one

You will taste four Jopen beers during the session. Each one arrives in a 15 cl tasting glass, which is the right size for real comparison. It is enough to notice flavor differences, but not so much that you feel rushed by alcohol or heavy by the end.

What I like is that you are not left alone with a random flight list. The host gives background and insight into each beer as you taste, so you understand what you are picking up on instead of just collecting names.

That guided approach is also helpful for picky drinkers. If you discover one style is not your thing, you are not stuck. You can refocus based on the next explanation and the food pairing, rather than hoping your palate guesses right.

Bitterballen pairing: why this snack belongs in Haarlem

The food is simple, but it is not filler. You get four bitterballen paired with your four beers, and that pairing is part of why this tasting feels local.

Bitterballen are a classic Dutch snack, and they bring a satisfying, savory bite that works with beer in a way that feels effortless. You are basically getting a built-in “food-to-beer bridge,” so every tasting moment has something to anchor the flavor.

In practical terms, the snack also helps you pace yourself. Even if you are tasting craft beer, the bitterballen make the hour feel more like a meal moment than a straight-up drink-only experience. That is a big deal for comfort, especially if you are sightseeing earlier in the day.

The atmosphere: why the former church setting changes your sip

A church brewery setting does more than look cool on photos. It affects how the tasting feels.

Inside a space like this, the hour gains weight. You are drinking in a building that has already gone through reinvention, which matches the craft beer idea: old place, modern craft. You also tend to get better sound and structure in organized tastings, since the space is designed for people to gather rather than just move quickly from bar to bar.

The result is a vibe that feels cozy and community friendly, the kind of place where a host can speak clearly and you can actually pay attention to the explanations. If you like experiences with personality, this is the kind of stop that makes Haarlem feel memorable without adding another long activity.

Who this tasting is for (and who should skip it)

This is made for adults who enjoy beer, food pairings, and learning a little without a lecture. Since it is not suitable for children under 18, the atmosphere is aimed at grownups, and that usually makes for an easier, calmer experience.

I would recommend it if:

• you want a guided craft beer tasting in a real-world historic setting
• you like Dutch comfort food like bitterballen
• you are visiting Haarlem and want one local, structured activity

I would skip it if:

• you do not drink beer or you are only interested in soft drinks
• you want a long, wandering brewery tour rather than a focused tasting
• you are traveling with a child under 18 or planning to bring pets (pets are not allowed)

Practical tips before you go

You do not need a beer degree, but you will enjoy it more if you come in with the right expectations.

• Come hungry enough for the bitterballen, but not so stuffed that your tasting notes feel muted.
• If you are sensitive to alcohol, know that four 15 cl servings add up over an hour. Go slow and let the snack do its job.
• Wear something comfortable. You will be inside a big, historic interior, and you want to stay relaxed for the host explanations.

If you want to turn it into a Haarlem mini-plan, think of the tasting as your anchor stop. Do your walking first, then come in for the guided hour, then head out for dinner.

Should you book the Haarlem Jopenkerk beer tasting?

If you are weighing this against a standard bar crawl, I would book it. This tasting gives you structure, local food pairing, and a memorable setting in one hour. For $29, you are not just buying drinks, you are getting context, and you do it in a building that makes the whole experience feel like Haarlem, not just Netherlands, generic nightlife.

Book it if you want an authentic taste of Jopen beer and Dutch snacks, with a host keeping things clear. Skip it if beer is not your thing, if you need kid friendly, or if you want a longer brewery tour rather than a guided tasting.

FAQ

What is included in the Haarlem Jopenkerk beer tasting?

You get four tasting glasses of Jopen beer, four typical Dutch snacks called bitterballen, and brief explanations about each beer from the host.

How many beers do I taste, and what size are the glasses?

You taste four Jopen beers, each served in a 15 cl tasting glass.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 1 hour.

Where does the tasting take place?

It takes place at the Jopenkerk in Haarlem.

Is this experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years.

Are pets allowed?

No. Pets are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. It is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I have to pay immediately?

No. You can use reserve now & pay later, meaning you pay nothing today.

Will I need to pay for anything else on site?

Any other consumptions are at your own expense and must be paid on site.