“The Suitcase” for twenty years already

Beer hall Café de Koffer in Groningen celebrates its twentieth anniversary on February 26. Owner Ronny Heerink started his café in the Schildersbuurt in 1993. Over the past twenty years, the café has evolved from a neighborhood pub primarily frequented by regulars into a major craft beer bar with more than 150 beers on the menu, where, incidentally, those same regulars from the very beginning still feel at home. The entire week surrounding “de Koffer”’s birthday will be dedicated to the anniversary, featuring a variety of activities.

In honor of this fourth anniversary, a special beer has been brewed. The brewer is Toon van den Broek, chairman of the Groningsch Biergilde. The label for this beer is designed by Hilda Groenesteyn, who is also responsible for the illustrations in the Frisian and Groningen versions of Grimm's fairy tales. The anniversary beer will be presented to beer associates and enthusiasts on the café's birthday, Tuesday, February 26.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, February 27, a special beer tasting will be hosted by Rick Kempen, co-author of the book “Minder trammelant in Bierland”. The theme of this tasting is Saison beers, a type of beer that few people are familiar with. There will also be an extensive get-together with the student volleyball association Veracles, for which “de Koffer” has been a sponsor and regular pub for years, and a party will be held over the weekend with guests from the present as well as guests from the past.

It is also interesting to note that this café has never been affected by the smoking ban, which has suddenly become very topical again. Smoking indoors is, just like at the adjacent establishment, café Tante Truus, banned immediately in July 2008. This to the satisfaction of, even the smoking, guests. So it can be done this way too…