Haarlem is a lovely old town just a short 15 to 20 minute hop from Amsterdam on the train. We went there on Monday 4 April and, at the station, picked up a basic map with a suggested walking route which we then adapted to take in some of the recommended bars. For people who like a dash of culture with their beer tourism, there are more detailed self-guided walking tours available from the VVV (tourist office) near the big art deco department store in town. Unfortunately, possibly because it was a Monday, not all the bars on our list were open during the day but we eventually found our way to the Jopen brewpub, which is in a sympathetically converted church in an area currently being redeveloped (so no outside seating as yet). The brewing equipment, complete with two beautiful coppers, stands like oversized steel organ pipes behind the long bar and is set off by the attractive stained glass windows behind. The available beers are listed on blackboards made to look like the boards indicating which hymns and psalms are to be sung in a church service. There are high stools all along the bar and high top tables as well as lower ones. It was quite reminiscent of American brewpubs I’ve been to (often on industrial estates outside town) but with more individual character. There’s an upstairs area (carpeted on the walls and ceilings, a la Dutch mode) that seems to hang suspended from the ceiling and under this, by the entrance, Radio Haarlem 105 was setting up for what is apparently a regular broadcasting spot on Monday evenings at 1900. Service was friendly and efficient until the place got a little busy. A small wedding party came in and it was all hands on deck to dish out the champagne at that stage. Most of the regular ten beers were on offer, together with a few guests from other Dutch breweries. They were also advertising the launch of a bok, but we were a week too early – it was to be available on what I think translated as a town pub crawl the following Sunday.

Impressive church conversion with a modern interior style and lots of gleaming brewing equipment on show. Not sure to what extent it’s actually in use yet though. Has something of the feel of an American brewpub. Will, no doubt, be even more impressive once it is not in the middle of a building site. Full range of Jopen beers on tap with a few guests from De Prael and SNAB too. You can get smaller sized "tasting" pours. There seemed to be a local radio station setting up for a live broadcast from the pub when we visited. Service was attentive and friendly when we visited on a quiet afternoon. Until a wedding party came in that is, which slowed things down a bit. Haarlem is only a short train ride from Amsterdam and well worth a side trip. Be aware though that some of the other better beer places in town don’t open until later in the day, and/or are closed a few days a week (Cafe Briljant).

All Jopen beers available, including some rotating guest brews from well known Dutch micro’s. Noisy. Poor service. Still worth a visit. The brewpub is beautiful and the beers are good enough.

OK ish brewpub, let down as far as I’m concerned by the fact I only really like the stout from their range. Busy, but modern and not really my preference of a drinking locale.

Beautiful old church renovated into a large brewpub. Lovely interior (except for the carpets on the ceiling). Spacious, big bunk-tables. A lot of their own beers on tap, which is exactly what you want in a brewpub. Food is a bit pricy: a couple of pieces of mediocre cheese or sausage cost 6.50 euro, that’s a whole lot of cash. Atmosphere was great, people of various standards and ages around. Quick service, we did not have to wave around to grab the attention of servants. That’s a rarity these days in Holland, so bonuspoints for that.

Great looking place :-) Very busy on a Friday night. Great that all the brewing tanks are visible in the bar and restaurant. Service was very good but the food was on the expensive side. we got to try some of the new beers, brewed when the brewing equipment was christened

Visited on a Saturday afternoon. Located in a beautifully renovated church. You walk in right onto the bar, they have 16-20 taps with I think 10 of their beers on (each of them twice). One guest tap from Schelde, a few bottles (mainly their own beer). Left of the bar are many seatings, big tables. All modern but nicely decorated. We sat outside in the sun, enjoying the Hoppen and Koyt (both were great) and some snacks to accompany the beers. Nice place, although I thought the prices were a bit steep, but then again it took the owner a lot of investments to get this place started. Update: Had dinner here with some friends, food was really good but quite pricey, service was attentive and well informed about the beers, but the prices of the beers... hallelujah.. I’m sorry, but €5,- for a 33cl 5% beer is just outrageous, especially if it’s been brewed and bottled at the spot. Same goes for the big bottles, at least €15 for a 75cl of their own beer, going up to 22.50 for some of their higher ABV beers. There is no place in the world where you pay more for a Jopen than at Jopen.

Not to my liking: modern, spacious, brash, noisy and aimed at young people. The Jopen beers are ok but not great and there are much nicer places in Haarlem to try them.

Nice location in the centre of Haarlem. The whole thing is located in a church as the name already suggests. Really nice atmosphere, good staff. About 12 own beers on tap and one guest tap. Didn’t had a meal there, but just some cheese and saaucages. Bit expensive.

Interesting big place, good way to re-use a church building. Bright and shining colors, good decor. Beers are perfect, although not cheap. However waitress pointed me to nearby shop to get beer at retaill prices. Thanks. Let the Jopen tasting begin.