Meierijstad Brewery Route (Hops) | Made in Brabant
Discover the importance of hops in the brewing process on this 49-kilometre cycling route through the Municipality of Meierijstad.
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That light, bitter aroma: Lillian knows it all too well. It’s the aroma of hops! For years, she lived near a hop field in Schijndel. Each spring, she saw the first young hop shoots emerge from the ground. And then, in September, came the typical smell of those small, green hop cones. She left the Brabant village 10 years ago, but whenever she smells hops, she is transported back to those lovely late summers, the last warm days of the year and the first signs of autumn, as the leaves begin to change colour. For her, the smell of hops heralds the change of season: from summer to autumn, both seasons with their own unique character. It’s wonderful how such a special aroma can evoke memories.
Lillian, however, knows nothing about be…
That light, bitter aroma: Lillian knows it all too well. It’s the aroma of hops! For years, she lived near a hop field in Schijndel. Each spring, she saw the first young hop shoots emerge from the ground. And then, in September, came the typical smell of those small, green hop cones. She left the Brabant village 10 years ago, but whenever she smells hops, she is transported back to those lovely late summers, the last warm days of the year and the first signs of autumn, as the leaves begin to change colour. For her, the smell of hops heralds the change of season: from summer to autumn, both seasons with their own unique character. It’s wonderful how such a special aroma can evoke memories.
Lillian, however, knows nothing about beer. That is until she meets beer connoisseur Rob. They become friends. Rob is not only an expert in the taste of beer and mouth-watering flavour combinations, but he also knows the brewing process inside out. In particular, he knows about the local brewing history and the traces of it that you still encounter in this area. He is more than happy to tell Lillian all about it during these three exceptional day-long cycling trips through the surrounding area. Is your mouth watering yet? Discover the brewing history of this region with Lillian and Rob.
The importance of hops
This cycling trip with Rob through the Municipality of Meierijstad is a trip down memory lane for Lillian. Together, they depart from the centre of Veghel and head to the Schaapskooi hop field. Lillian knows this place well: she lived in this area for years. There, behind the Schaapskooi, they see the thin twines supporting the hop plants that wind metres into the air. The hop cones, the plant’s flowers, are ready to be harvested. Rob explains that this is celebrated with a harvest festival, including a musical procession, a hop queen and a Holy Mass on the hop field. The flowers have to be dried before the hops can be used. That takes place in the oast house, a yellow shed close to the hop field. After that, the brewers can get to work. Hops provide the bitter, floral and sometimes fruity flavour and aroma of many speciality beers. They stop off in Schijndel at the Sint Servattumus brewery and buy a ‘Hopbelleke’ beer. Lillian has taken a liking to hops, both their aroma and their taste. At RBM’s De Rooise Brouwers, Rob and Lillian are given a masterclass in beer brewing from one of the passionate brewers. It’s an intriguing process for seasoned beer lovers as well as for people who don’t drink beer, or only occasionally. When Rob and Lillian cycle towards Sint-Oedenrode, they once again encounter that unmistakable aroma of hops. There’s yet another hop field nearby, this one belonging to MeierijHop. So, there are more hop fields in this area! Lillian and Rob buy some more tasty beers at the Hellobier off-licence on Noordkade in Veghel, and they stop for a drink at Stadsbrouwerij De Vleeghel. That leaves them wanting more!
Besides hops, there are two other essential components for brewing beer: water and wheat. Cycle on with Rob and Lillian through the region and discover the stories behind these two ingredients.
Made in Brabant routes
Brabant: the creative engine of the Netherlands. No less than 24% of the Dutch manufacturing industry production is still made in Brabant. Old crafts, industrial heritage but also innovative companies can be found in many places in the province, each with their own exceptional story. From old crafts such as tanning leather to brewing beer to the large multinationals and smaller creative businesses: Brabant has them all. We combine beautiful countryside with (old) industries and characteristic Brabant cycling and walking routes.
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Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Starting point
Markt 50
5462 Veghel
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Hop Field at the Schaapskooi
From a distance, it's easy to spot: the hop field behind the Schaapskooi in Schijndel. This field is where hops grow — one of the key ingredients in beer.
Starting point:
Martemanshurk 125482 WP Schijndel
Sint Servattumus
Schijndel has a centuries-old history of hop cultivation, breweries and inns. Today, beer lovers can indulge themselves at Sint Servattumus, a craft brewery with an atmospheric tasting room and a brewery shop.
Starting point:
Ericastraat 11b5482WR Schijndel
The brewers of RBM from Rooi (Hospitality venue De Gasthuishoeve)
As soon as you step into regional experience center De Gasthuishoeve near Sint-Oedenrode, you're transported to times gone by. On the charming indoor “mèrt” (market), historical buildings from the town of Rooi have been reconstructed at full scale.
Starting point:
Kremselen 25492 SJ Sint-Oedenrode
The brewers of RBM from Rooi (Hospitality venue De Gasthuishoeve)
The brewers of RBM from Rooi (Hospitality venue De Gasthuishoeve)
Kremselen 2
5492 SJ Sint-Oedenrode
MeierijHop
Right on the edge of Meierijstad, in the countryside of the village of Boskant near Sint-Oedenrode. Surrounded by plots belonging to a neighboring tree nursery lies the hop field of Leo and Frank Vos.
Starting point:
Donderdonksedijk 45492 VK Sint Oedenrode
Village Départ
At the foot of Vlagheideberg you’ll encounter the Netherlands’ very first cycling village! It’s a unique cycling location and a hospitable spot where you can enjoy all things cycling all year round.
Starting point:
Village DépartVlagheide 8a
5482 NM Eerde
City Brewery De Vleeghel (Hospitality at De Noordkade)
In 2014, Stadsbrouwerij De Vleeghel was founded at the Noordkade in Veghel. The Veghel city brewery is located inside restaurant Wittern, where you can enjoy lunch and dinner in an industrial yet atmospheric setting. One of the brewers is Marijke Hendriks from Boerdonk.
Starting point:
Verlengde Noordkade 45462 EH Veghel
City Brewery De Vleeghel (Hospitality at De Noordkade)
City Brewery De Vleeghel (Hospitality at De Noordkade)
Verlengde Noordkade 4
5462 EH Veghel
Hellobier
Hellobier is a beer shop located at the Noordkade in Veghel, combined with a webshop and options for (online) beer tastings. The assortment includes 1,500 beers from both the Netherlands and abroad, with new specialty beers added every week.
Starting point:
Verlengde Noordkade 145462 EH Veghel
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