The Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands 2015

Rootz Blond from Rootz in The Hague (light category) and Rosemary Porter from Paddy O’Ryan in Leeuwarden (heavy category) have been voted the Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands 2015, a competition organized by hospitality trade magazine Entree. Although the jury was critical of a number of entries, the point scores for the winning beers are higher than last year, especially in the heavy category.

In 2015, all hospitality establishments in the Netherlands were once again able to submit their house beer* for the annual Entree competition, *Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands*. A total of 12 light and 15 heavy beers were presented to the judges. For the first time, the jury tasted the beer from the AnDer 1.0 beer tasting glass, developed by Libbey (Royal Leerdam) in close collaboration with jury member Derek Walsh. On December 7, the jury tasted and judged all entries blind. A tough, serious task for the five-member panel, consisting of highly experienced and knowledgeable tasters: Theo Flissebaalje (PINT editor), Henri Reuchlin (Bierburo, chairman EBCU), Fiona de Lange (Bierblogger.nl, De Nationale Bierbank), Derek Walsh (Bier+), and culinary journalist Puck Kerkhoven.

Light category
When all the final scores for the light beers (up to 6.5%) were known, a clear winner emerged in this category: Rootz Blond from restaurant-beer café Rootz in The HagueThis hospitality establishment came second last year with a different house beer. So now they have taken the full win. The jury unanimously rated this beer highly, with a final score of 8.2. Director Patrick van Aller was pleasantly surprised when he heard that his beer is the Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands 2015 in the light category: “You’re kidding? Absolutely fantastic.”
Second place went to Ramses Z’Onder Baard from Z’Onder Zeil in Steenbergen with a 7.7. Third place was for Spieghels Bier from De Twee Spieghels in Leiden, with a 6.8. “We are very proud; it is nice that a beer with a headstrong character is so well received,” says owner Colin van Gestel-Messiaen.

Heavy category
During the second part of the tasting, 15 strong beers were served. The highest average rating was an 8.4 for Rosemary Porter of Paddy O’Ryan in LeeuwardenA porter that, according to the jury, underscores the character of the establishment, an Irish pub. The high score says something about the jury's enthusiasm. Ulco de Jong of Brouwerij de Kroon was also enthusiastic when he heard that he had won the Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands 2015 in the heavy category: “Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.” Second place went to The Big Fat Double from De BeerTemple in Amsterdam with a 7.7. “We came second last year too, so we’re just entering the beer again next year!” says owner Peter van der Arend.
Third place went to Donker sur Lie from De Kluis in Venlo, thanks to a 7.5. “We are pleasantly surprised that our first brew was rated so well,” said owner Peter Bouman.

Nice, but it could be better
The 2015 Tastiest House Beer of the Netherlands competition has two winners with high final scores. In the heavy category, the scores were much higher than last year, when that winner had to settle for a 7.25. The jury was unanimous regarding the top 3 in both categories and rated those beers very positively. The jury is pleased with the growth of the house beer phenomenon, but is also critical, as there are many beers that leave quite a bit to be desired. The jury also recognizes brewing flaws, and the brewers of these beers could take that to heart.

Additional information
The jury on Rootz Blond
‘Beautiful long aftertaste, nice balance between hops and fruit’ (Derek Walsh). ‘Fruity, exciting, cheerful beer. Very surprising due to exotic hop varieties’ (Fiona de Lange). ‘Pleasant, calls for another sip’ (Henri Reuchlin). ‘Pleasant, intelligently hopped. You order a second glass of this’ (Theo Flissebaalje).

The jury on Rosemary Porter
‘I’ll have another one’ (Puck Kerkhoven). ‘Beautifully complex, strong, powerful and yet fresh’ (Fiona de Lange). ‘Super complex, excellent head’ (Derek Walsh). ‘Beautiful beer, ahead of the trend to choose porter as a house beer. Bravo!’ (Henri Reuchlin). ‘Beautiful complex porter. Balanced’ (Theo Flissebaalje).

Product information top 3s
Top 3 light beers
1. Rootz Blond (bottle), Rootz (The Hague/Scheveningen), blond, 6.0%, Brouwerij de Eem.
2. Ramses Z’Onder Baard (bottle), Z’Onder Zeil Restaurant & Café (Steenbergen), ‘steam’, 4.8%, Ramses Beer.
3. Spieghels Bier (bottle), De Twee Spieghels (Leiden), wheat, 5.7%, Brouwerij Pronck.

Top 3 strong beers
1. Paddy O'Ryan Rosemary Porter (bottle), Paddy O'Ryan (Leeuwarden), porter, 7.0%, De Kroon.
2. The Big Fat Double 5 IPA (bottle), De BeerTemple (Amsterdam), new imperial/double ipa, 8.0%, Het Uiltje.
3. Donker sur Lie (bottle), De Kluis (Venlo), quadruple, 9.6%, De Kluis.