Museumbrouwerij De Roos

About the museum

The brewery on Sint Sebastiaanstraat was built in the second half of the 19th century, usually dated to 1877, in a stable thoroughly converted for the purpose; the brewer's house attached to it dates from the early 18th century. In 1915 Henricus Franciscus de Leijer took over the business. His light beer could not compete with modern pilsners, and there was no money for modernization, so the brewery was sealed on November 14, 1933.

From 1996 to 2001 volunteers restored the facility with its almost completely preserved original inventory, including a cooling ship and cast-iron stirring vats. An extension houses modern brewing equipment, so beer is brewed again today under the name De Roos. Comparable 19th-century equipment survives in the Netherlands only at the Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem.

The museum is run by the Museumbrouwerij De Roos foundation with more than 130 volunteers. Visitors explore the brewery on their own with an audio guide or on a guided tour, and can taste the Roos beers in the tasting room. Because the building is small and hard to reach for older guests and visitors with limited mobility, the foundation wants to acquire the neighboring brewer's house at Vrijthof 20 and expand the ensemble.

Highlights

• Original 1877 equipment, including a cooling ship and cast-iron stirring vats
• Audio guide in Dutch, English, German, and French
• Tasting room with the brewery's own Roos beers
• Tours led by volunteer brewing enthusiasts
• Group packages with a beer or liqueur tasting and a pub quiz

Permanent exhibition

• Authentische Dorfbrauerei von 1877 – The brewery, with its largely preserved original equipment, shows how beer was brewed in the past; volunteers explain the cooling ship, the stirring vat, and the brewing process.

Operated by

Stichting Museumbrouwerij De Roos

Admission & discounts

The prices come from the booking form for tours and packages (per person); the website does not list a separate price for a visit with the audio guide during opening hours. According to the Museumkaart portal, the Museumkaart is accepted. The tasting room is freely accessible during opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the foundation, the museum is small and difficult to reach for older visitors and those with limited mobility; expansion is planned.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Sint Sebastiaanstraat near the Vrijthof; information and bookings are also available at the Infopunt Hilvarenbeek at Vrijthof 11.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Tasting room with Roos beers and a small museum shop; card payment only.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The tasting room can be booked for celebrations, receptions, or lectures; inquire via the contact form or by email.

Plan your visit