Hoofdvaartkerk Distillery

The Netherlands

"Distilling isn't a business you can do just like that."

Unfortunately, this venue closed in 2019, but we want to preserve its memory because of the distillery's unique and special location. The historic church is set to be transformed into several residential studios.

Old church in Hoofddorp turned into distillery

This beautiful renovated Dutch reformed church was built in the 19th century and is actually the oldest church in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. It dates back to the time this land was reclaimed from water, from Haarlem’s Lake to be specific. That’s also what the name Haarlemmermeer refers to.

The Hoofdvaartkerk church is located in Hoofddorp, the capital of this municipality, just fifteen minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. With quite a few major hotels and smooth transport links to Amsterdam and Haarlem, Hoofddorp is a popular place to stay and a good start on your exploration of this part of the Netherlands.

Interior of the Hoofdvaartkerk distillery in Hoofddorp

Jopenkerk Hoofddorp, a new chapter

In 1999 the church, organ and rectory received the status of historical monument, but the church community decided to put the church building up for sale in 2011. Former owner Stephan Bosma bought the Hoofdvaartkerk and converted it into quite a special venue to eat and drink and that also operates its own distillery!

Ceramic bottles of jenever in restaurant and distillery Hoofdvaartkerk in Hoofddorp

Two years later Haarlem based craft brewery Jopen Bier purchased the building and continued, after some restyling, the distillery, tasting room and restaurant under the name Jopenkerk Hoofddorp. After the owner of the property went bankrupt in 2018 Jopen decided to leave the church. As of January 1st 2019 the venue is closed.

Gospel Spirits

The copper kettles in this historic building were used to distill brews in a traditional matter. With the help of a master-distiller who got his training in Scotland, a line of spirits was developed by Jopen with the appropriate name Gospel Spirits.

Distilling kettle of Hoofdvaartkerk distillery

Besides genever, gin and liqueur they also produced an eau-de-vie-de-bière here with the name Kenau. It’s a distillate from Jopen beer with light caramel tones. Follow a centuries old Dutch tradition and combine it with a matching beer. This tradition, originally a glass of jenever with a beer chaser, is locally better known as a ‘Kopstoot’, a Head Butt.

Windmill 'De Eersteling' near Hoofdvaartkerk distillery

Hoofdvaartkerk restaurant and distillery permanently closed

This venue offered a fantastic atmosphere and provided a truly unique experience, dining and drinking in a former church transformed into a boutique restaurant and distillery. Due to its monumental status, the white organ of the church in Hoofddorp remains in its original condition, as do the distinctive church windows. That will not change, but future residents will have to go to the liquor store for their spirits.

Traditional ceramic jenever bottles in Hoofdvaartkerk distillery