Wispe Brewery

The Netherlands

"People visit us for more than just a glass of Wispe beer."

Some breweries just keep calling your name, and Wispe Brewery was one of them. It had been sitting on our must-visit list far too long, and we finally decided it was time to make the trip. A brewery in a sacred space? Now that’s something worth exploring.

Brewing beer in Weesp: a tradition since the 14th century

While Wispe Brewery may be a modern name in Dutch craft beer, it’s certainly not the first to call Weesp home. This city along the river Vecht has a brewing tradition that dates all the way back to the 14th century, when the area's clean, fresh water made it an ideal place to produce beer.  By the 17th century the city was home to over thirty breweries and it's estimated that half the population of Weesp earned a living through the brewing trade.

While the people of Weesp certainly enjoyed a good beer themselves, much of the city’s production was destined for Amsterdam, other parts of the Netherlands, and even far beyond. Weesp beer was exported across Europe and shipped around the world aboard vessels of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

The brewing industry in Weesp was largely driven by Catholic brewers. But after the Eighty Years' War, when the Reformed Church gained dominance, the number of breweries in the city declined sharply. By the early 20th century, Weesp’s beer scene came to a close, as the last brewery shut its doors.

Three brothers brewing Wispe beer

After more than a century without a local brewery, the town of Weesp saw a revival, thanks to the three brothers behind Wispe Brewery. When Jitze Vellenga moved to Weesp and started exploring the town’s rich brewing past, he discovered the legacy of dozens of breweries that once thrived along the River Vecht.

Inspired by this history, and knowing his brother Jerrit was already experimenting with home brewing in Brussels, the idea to reintroduce brewing to Weesp quickly took shape. Their third brother Remko joined the initiative, turning a family passion into a shared mission: to put Weesp back on the beer map.

Like many modern craft breweries, Wispe Brewery began with brewing small batches at home to experiment with flavors and styles. As the popularity of their beer grew, demand quickly outpaced production capacity. To keep up, the Vellenga brothers turned to contract brewing to scale up their output. But the ultimate goal was to open their own brewery in Weesp.

That opportunity came in 2015, when a remarkable location became available: St. Laurentius Church, a decommissioned church in the heart of Weesp. But that adventure turned out to be quite a challenge.

A brief history of the Laurentius Church in Weesp

The home of Wispe Brewery is no ordinary building, it’s the historic St. Laurentius Church, a neo-Gothic structure in the heart of Weesp. Originally built in 1876 as a Roman Catholic church, it now holds the status of a municipal monument. Due to financial constraints at the time of construction, only the base of the church tower was completed initially. It wasn’t until 25 years later that the full tower finally rose above the town.

After the turn of the century, church attendance in Weesp steadily declined. With fewer visitors and mounting maintenance costs, the church fell into disrepair. Its foundation began to subside, and eventually, the building was vacated. For the Vellenga brothers this presented an opportunity to establish their own brewery in a truly unique location.

However, fate had one more challenge in store. In 2016, a fire broke out in the church tower, destroying the historic spire. Fortunately, the real estate developer that purchased the property committed to restoring its former glory. By 2018, the rebuilt spire once again crowned the tower, proudly marking the skyline of Weesp. Finally, in 2020, Wispe Brewery officially opened its doors.

Wispe Brewery, brewery on sacred ground

The property’s new owner saw the potential to breathe new life into the neo-Gothic structure by giving it a multifunctional purpose. Part of the building now houses a yoga studio. Also two spacious apartments have been created within the church walls and in the church tower itself, a luxurious hotel suite, aptly named The Clock Tower, offers guests a stay high above the city of Weesp.

While the unique transformation of this church is fascinating, let’s not forget the main attraction: Wispe Brewery. Once you walk beneath stained-glass windows and step into the heart of the former church, you find yourself in the tasting room and restaurant of this Dutch craft brewery. The name Wispe is a nod to history, it’s the earliest known reference to the town of Weesp, dating back to around 1150. The elegant décor is inspired by the 1920s, paying homage to the era when Weesp’s last brewery closed its doors.

The tasting room has a long bar crowned with a tap wall boasting no fewer than 18 beers on draft. Above it, three copper brew kettles catch the eye, displayed on a mezzanine level and offering a glimpse into the brewing process. On the right side of the church four large stainless steel fermentation tanks are prominently displayed.

But Wispe Brewery isn’t just about beer, it also features a restaurant. Throughout the church interior, tables are set up where guests can not only enjoy an extensive beer tasting in Weesp but also sit down for a meal.

Wispe Brewery Beer Shop

No visit to Wispe Brewery is complete without stopping by their on-site beer shop, located in one of the side wings of the church. What started with their very first brew, Wispe Blond, originally crafted at De Prael Brewery, has now grown into a diverse selection. Today, the range includes around fifteen different Wispe beers.

You can also explore a selection of spirits from Stokerij Anker, available at the brewery’s on-site shop. These locally (the distillation kettle is located in the church’s side wing) produced gins and other artisanal distillates pay homage to Weesp’s 17th-century heritage as a historic gin town. At that time, the city was known not just for its many breweries, but also for its distillation scene. It's great to see that this tradition has been brought back to life.

Updated: 16-05-2025