De Pelgrim Brewery, Rotterdam

De Pelgrim brewery at Aelbrechtskolk No. 12 is easy to recognize by its dark green double doors, pale stone doorway, and the name Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim above the entrance. Tables outside form the brewery’s waterside terrace, with views across the old harbor.

Nearby, at number 22A, is the Old or Pilgrim Fathers’ Church. This historic church is associated with the English religious refugees who left Delfshaven in 1620 on the first stage of their journey toward North America. The proximity of this church explains the brewery’s name, meaning “The Pilgrim.”

Now, enter the brewery itself. Once inside, look for its most distinctive feature: the large wood-and-copper brewing kettles. These are not merely decoration-the brewing installation was deliberately designed to match the historic character of the former Delfshaven town hall. The building dates back to the late 16th century and later served municipal functions before being converted into the brewery. Harry van de Wiel began the project in 1995, and The Pilgrim officially opened as a commercial brewery on May 9, 1996. Rotterdam had, in fact, had breweries centuries before that-including the famous Oranjeboom brewery-so, De Pelgrim marked a revival rather than the beginning of local brewing.

Beside the brewing area is the Proeflokaal, or Tasting Room. This is the main place to sit down and sample Pelgrim beers, and its timbered, historic atmosphere deliberately recalls old Delfshaven. You can simply choose a table or begin at the bar. Brewery tours are also available and include an explanation of the brewing process.

There are two more spaces particularly worth looking for, including the Gildezaal, or Guild Hall, upstairs above the Tasting Room. Historically associated with Delfshaven's administrators and guild masters, it is now mainly used for private events, meetings, and dinners. Toward the quieter part of the property is the inner garden, where you can actually see hops growing overhead. If you prefer to remain outside, return to the front terrace overlooking Aelbrechtskolk.

The main reason to linger here, of course, is the beer. Rather than limiting yourself to just one label, check the taps for the brewery's regular Pelgrim beers and any seasonal or one-off brews available that day. The brewery continues to experiment with its recipes, so the selection can change-making the Tasting Room the best place to discover what is currently being brewed in Rotterdam.