Noordt Brewery
The Netherlands
"At our brewery in Rotterdam we do a lot of collaboration brews with Dutch brewers."
A hidden brewery in Rotterdam
If you're wandering through one of the older neighborhoods of Rotterdam, you might just stumble upon one of the city’s best-kept secrets: Noordt Brewery. Hidden behind a row of unassuming houses, this craft brewery is anything but ordinary. The stunning location of young and ambitious Noordt Brewery is an old, converted fire station.
They launched a grand approach in 2015 and started brewing beers with a brewing installation that is anything but modest. The building alone is worth the visit, with its high ceilings, industrial charm, and plenty of character. And there’s still space to grow. The old fire station has room for expansion.
From bartender to brewer
Before the first beer ever flowed from the taps, founder Peter Rouwen was a familiar face in the Rotterdam hospitality scene, spending years behind the bar and learning the ins and outs of what makes a great beer. A visit to Brooklyn Brewery in New York sparked a bold idea: what if he traded in bartending for brewing?
Inspired and motivated, he enrolled in a brewing technology program in Ghent, Belgium, determined to turn his vision into reality. Around the same time, Peter found a committed investor and when a vacant fire station in one of Rotterdam’s older neighborhoods became available, the pieces fell into place and a new Rotterdam brewery was born.
Noordt brewery installation
True to his hands-on style, Peter personally designed the entire brewery installation, traveling back and forth to China to bring his vision to life. The brewery boasts six fermentation tanks capable of brewing 2,000 litres each, along with four larger tanks that handle up to 4,000 litres per batch. For smaller, more creative projects, five compact 200-litre vessels are used, perfect for experimental brews and limited editions.
The on-site taproom offers up to 20 different beers on tap, giving visitors the full range of what this Rotterdam brewery has to offer. Not sure where to start? Order a tasting flight of five beers (15 cl each) and explore the range of styles brewed at Noordt Brewery.
Oude Noorden, a historic Rotterdam neigbourhood
Just north of the city center lies Oude Noorden, one of Rotterdam’s most historic and character-filled neighborhoods. Once a traditional working-class district, this area has undergone an impressive transformation in recent years.
Unlike much of Rotterdam, which was heavily bombed during World War II, Oude Noorden is one of the few areas where you can still find original pre-war architecture and beautifully restored historic facades.
Take a stroll around the block and visit some of the galleries or little boutique shops. We suggest you grab a bite at one of the many restaurants, café’s and lunchrooms before heading straight over to the taproom of Noordt Brewery. No doubt this place deserves to be on the list of best craft beer bars in Rotterdam!
Not satisfied yet? You might consider paying a visit to one of the beer bars nearby or head on to another great beery venue just a little south of the city centre of Rotterdam, Kaapse Brouwers. Cheers!
Picture credits:
- Cover picture copyright by Tasty Tales
- All other pictures copyright by Tina Rogers (010beerblog)
Updated: 27-06-2025
