Bierreclame Museum

About the museum

The Bierreclame Museum in Breda opened to visitors in December 1990. Founder, owner and director is Jan Hemmer, who also owns the collection. According to the museum, it is the largest collection of old beer advertising in Europe and includes advertising from the Netherlands and Belgium, but also from Luxembourg, Germany, northern France, England and Ireland.

The focus is on enamel signs and posters from the period of about 1900 to 1960. Advertising for beer arose with the Industrial Revolution, when more and more brands pushed onto the market. Many of the designs come from well-known designers such as Leonetto Cappiello, Eppo Doeve, Jan Wijga or Frans Mettes and show styles from Art Nouveau through Art Deco to the Fifties aesthetic. In addition there are bottle labels, crown caps, beer mats, neon signs and glasses.

Besides the advertising, there are some testimonies of former beer production to be seen: brewery machinery, old hop sacks, crates, barrels and even vehicles. On the upper floor a 1930s café interior has been recreated. On the ground floor, among the signs, there is a real café where you can choose from more than 80 beers, sit at old café tables or at the bar and, in good weather, linger in the beer garden with often live music.

Highlights

• According to the museum, the largest collection of old beer advertising in Europe
• Enamel signs and posters by Cappiello, Doeve, Wijga and Mettes
• Recreated 1930s café interior on the upper floor
• Brewery machinery, hop sacks, barrels and vehicles
• Café with over 80 beers and beer garden

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung historischer Bierwerbung – Enamel signs, posters, labels and neon signs from Western Europe from about 1900 to 1960 as well as brewing equipment and a 1930s café interior.

Founded

1990

Director

Jan Hemmer

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; drinks are paid for separately in the café.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A16, exit Breda-West, then follow the signs for “Crematorium”; behind the crematorium (Tuinzigtlaan), take the first street on the right onto Haagweg, and after about 500 metres the museum is on the left (no. 375).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Café on the ground floor with more than 80 beers, beer garden, atmospheric, partly live music.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

Reservations for private parties, receptions and meetings are no longer accepted.

Plan your visit