Jopenkerk Brewery | Haarlem

Jopenkerk (Jopen) is a craft brewery and grand café located in a former 19th-century church in the Raaks area of central Haarlem. It serves as a primary cultural and culinary hub, known for reviving historical Haarlem beer recipes.

Visual Characteristics

The brewery is housed in the former Jacobskerk, a brick structure featuring high vaulted ceilings, large stained-glass windows, and original ecclesiastical architecture. The interior is characterized by the presence of large, shiny copper brewing kettles situated behind the bar, contrasting with modern industrial lighting and wooden furnishings. The atmosphere is open and bustling, with the brewing process visible to patrons.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, approximately 0.8km south of Haarlem Railway Station. It is accessible via a 10-minute walk from the station or by local bus (stop Raaksbrug). For vehicular access, the Raaks public parking garage is situated immediately adjacent to the building. Pedestrian access from the Grote Markt is approximately 5 minutes.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building originated as the Jacobskerk but was decommissioned for religious use and reopened in 2010 as a brewery. The name "Jopen" refers to the 112-liter barrels historically used to transport Haarlem beer. The brewery was established to restore the city's beer-making tradition, which dates back to the 14th century when Haarlem was a major European brewing center due to its access to clean water from the dunes.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe the brewing process while dining or tasting various "Jopen" beers, such as the Koyt or Moor-Nels. The venue offers beer tasting flights and guided tours of the facility. The grand café serves a full menu, often incorporating beer into the recipes. It is a central venue for local events and social gatherings.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a large bar area, a separate restaurant section, and an outdoor terrace during warmer months. Public restrooms are located on-site. High-speed 4G and 5G cellular signals are stable. The venue is equipped with Wi-Fi and is wheelchair accessible via the main entrance. A small retail section sells bottled beers and brewery merchandise.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for a quieter experience is on weekday afternoons before 16:00. Evenings and weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday nights, are high-capacity and often require reservations for dining. During the day, the sunlight through the stained-glass windows provides optimal lighting for the interior architecture.

Facts & Legends

The brewery uses two specific historical recipes rediscovered in the city archives: one from 1407 (Koyt) and one from 1501 (Hoppenbier). A verified historical detail is that the church was nearly demolished before the brewing project saved the structure, making it a prominent example of successful urban repurposing in the Netherlands.

Nearby Landmarks

Grote Markt (0.4km East)

Teylers Museum (0.7km East)

Frans Hals Museum (0.6km South)

De Adriaan Windmill (1.0km Northeast)

Haarlem Station (0.8km North)