Beer tasting: 3 craft beers and tour of the Uddelaer Brewery

Small brewery, grand setting. At Uddelaer Brewery, you tour a working beer operation in the coach house of Staverden Castle, meet the brewmaster, and taste three craft beers in a place tied to centuries of local history. I like the unusual setting and the chance to see the brewing side up close. I also like that the experience is private, with only your own group taking part. The main caution is consistency: the setting receives warm praise, but beer quality and service have not impressed everyone.

This is a good stop for anyone already exploring the Veluwe by car or bicycle. You get a two-hour activity, an English-speaking experience, and a pleasant estate to explore before or after the tasting. Just confirm the tour is operating before setting out, since one visitor arrived to find the brewery closed despite having a booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Three craft beers are included in the tasting, with an introduction to how to taste and compare specialty beer.
• The brewery occupies Staverden Castle’s coach house, giving the tour an atmospheric setting that is part brewery, part historic estate.
• The brewmaster may join the experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.
• Staverden is known as the smallest city in the Netherlands, with gardens, walking and cycling routes, a pond, and white peacocks.
• The activity is private for your group, but it needs at least four people and can take no more than 15.
• The $25.40 price is fair if you value the setting and personal format, though the beer itself may not win over every palate.

Arriving at Staverden Castle’s coach house

The address is Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo. Your tour begins and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate transfer between the brewery and the estate.

The brewery and Uddelaer Brewpub sit inside the coach house of Staverden Castle. That matters because this is not a tasting room placed in an ordinary commercial district. The building forms part of a historic estate, and the setting gives the activity much of its character.

Staverden is often called the smallest city in the Netherlands. The title is unusual, but the place feels more like a quiet country estate than a city. You can walk around the castle garden, look toward the pond, and keep an eye out for the estate’s white peacocks.

I would allow extra time before or after the tasting to enjoy the grounds. The brewery tour itself lasts about two hours, but rushing away at the end would miss one of the strongest parts of the visit. The estate also connects with walking and cycling routes through the Veluwe, making this a natural stop during a larger day outdoors.

The listed opening period runs Tuesday through Sunday, from 1 PM to 6 PM. Since one reported visit found the brewery closed even though tickets appeared to be available, I would contact the provider before traveling, especially if your plans depend on a particular date.

What happens during the two-hour brewery visit

The experience combines a guided brewery tour with a tasting of three craft beers. You can expect an introduction to the brewing operation, an explanation of the beers, and time to sample them in the coach house or at the brewpub.

The format is more personal than a large commercial brewery visit. Your group takes part privately, and the maximum group size is 15 people. That should make it easier to ask questions, although the quality of the explanation may depend on who leads the session and how busy the brewpub is that day.

A meeting with the brewmaster is one of the central features. This gives you a chance to ask about recipes, brewing choices, equipment, and the difference between a beer that is simply drinkable and one that has a clear style. The exact brewmaster’s name is not provided, so do not expect a named host to be guaranteed.

The brewery has eight specialty beers on tap at any one time, while the scheduled tasting focuses on three. That creates some flexibility. After the formal tasting, you may want to order another beer to compare with the samples, but additional drinks are not clearly included in the stated price.

One unusual detail is the brewery’s modern approach to beer production. During one visit, the guide placed heavy emphasis on the role of computer systems in brewing rather than presenting beer as purely handcraft work. If you enjoy the technical side of brewing, this may interest you. If you came hoping for a romantic, old-fashioned account of traditional methods, the explanation could feel less satisfying.

Tasting three beers without rushing your palate

Three beers is a useful number for a short tasting. You get enough variety to compare flavors without reaching the point where every sample begins to taste alike. I would take notes on aroma, bitterness, sweetness, body, and aftertaste rather than judging each beer only by its first sip.

The brewery’s eight taps suggest that the selection can change. The specific three beers served during your visit are not listed, so you should not book this expecting a particular Uddelaer label. Ask what is being poured and what style each beer represents before tasting.

Beer quality is the biggest question mark. Some people have enjoyed the tasting and the relaxed time outdoors, while others found the beers less appealing than beers made in a nearby village. One person also felt that the owner could not offer a helpful recommendation about which beer to choose.

That does not mean you should avoid the tasting. It means you should book it for the full experience, not solely for a guaranteed favorite beer. The estate, the coach house, and the meeting with the brewmaster add value even if one or two samples are not to your taste.

The service can also be uneven. During one reported tour, staff conversations continued loudly while the explanation was taking place. That would weaken the educational part of the experience, especially if you are interested in brewing rather than simply having a drink.

Pairing the beer with cheese and sausage

The listed food selection is a cheese and sausage board for two people. It includes dry sausage and cheese on lettuce, along with carrots, olives, tomatoes, peppers, dates, mustard, and mini-crackers.

This is a sensible match for a beer tasting. Salty sausage can soften the perception of bitterness, while cheese gives fuller beers something to work against. Mustard, olives, and pickled-style flavors add contrast, and the fruit and vegetables keep the board from feeling too heavy.

The information provided does not make clear if the board is included in the $25.40 price or ordered separately. Ask when booking or on arrival. A separate report placed a three-beer board and a snack board for two at €35, so food and extra beer can change the final cost.

I would treat the board as a useful option rather than the main reason to visit. The beer tasting and estate setting are the core experience. If you are hungry, confirm the portion and price before ordering, particularly for a small group.

Staverden’s gardens, pond, and white peacocks

The estate is the part of this activity that gives it a clear sense of place. You are not tasting beer in an anonymous industrial room. You are sitting near castle gardens, a pond, and a coach house connected with Staverden’s long past.

The white peacocks are an especially memorable detail. They are closely associated with Staverden and give the grounds a touch of odd, old-fashioned charm. You may find them around the estate, but sightings are not guaranteed and should not be treated as part of the timed brewery program.

The gardens and pond also make this a good stop for people who do not want every minute devoted to drinking. You can pair the tour with a gentle walk, a cycling route, or a wider visit to the Veluwe nature reserves.

One reported stop at the estate praised the country house, coach house, garden, pond, and the orangery behind the property. That matches my view of the best way to approach this activity: plan it as a short cultural and outdoor outing with beer, rather than as a serious beer pilgrimage.

Is $25.40 good value?

At $25.40 per person, the price is reasonable if the tour runs as described and your group values the setting. You are paying for a guided brewery visit, three samples, access to a private group format, and the chance to meet the brewmaster.

The value is less certain if you judge the experience only by the beer. The tasting pours are limited to three, the exact selection is unknown, and some reports found the flavor disappointing. You may also want an additional beer from the eight taps, which could add to the cost.

The private format helps justify the price. A group of four can ask questions and move at its own pace more easily than a large public tour. On the other hand, the minimum of four means a couple cannot necessarily book alone and expect the activity to run. Groups smaller than four, or larger than 15, are asked to call the provider at +31 6 53 778994.

For a couple, I would consider this a better-value stop when combined with a day in Staverden or the Veluwe. For a larger group already in the area, it offers a simple shared activity with food and scenery nearby.

Who will enjoy this Uddelaer experience?

I would recommend it most to people who like combining food, drink, and local history. You get more than a flight of beer, but less than a full-day brewery study visit.

It suits:

• Couples or small groups already visiting the Veluwe
• Beer drinkers curious about a small brewery’s methods
• People who prefer private activities to large group tours
• Cyclists and walkers looking for a pleasant stop
• Visitors who enjoy castle grounds, gardens, and unusual local details
• Groups able to meet the minimum of four participants

It may not suit you if you want a guaranteed standout beer selection, polished service, or a tightly managed technical presentation. It is also a weak choice if you are traveling a long way solely for the brewery and have no interest in Staverden itself.

The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not remove the need to check that the tour is actually operating.

Practical advice for making the visit smoother

Book a time between Tuesday and Sunday during the listed 1 PM to 6 PM operating window. Then contact the provider to confirm the date, the meeting time, and the beer selection if those details matter to you.

Arrive with time to see the estate. The tour begins and ends at the coach house, so you can explore Staverden before the tasting or remain nearby afterward without dealing with another pickup point.

If you are sensitive to beer styles, tell the host what you usually enjoy. The brewery has eight beers on tap, but only three are part of the tasting, and the selection can affect your opinion of the whole visit.

If service is slow or the brewpub is busy, keep the visit relaxed. The setting rewards a slower pace, but the educational value depends on having a clear explanation without background chatter.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Uddelaer Brewery tour?

Book it if the idea of tasting local beer in a castle coach house appeals to you. The white peacocks, gardens, pond, and Veluwe setting give the visit a strong sense of place, and the private format makes it more personal than a standard tasting bar.

I would not book it as a must-do beer destination based only on the three samples. The beer selection and service appear less dependable than the location, and one failed opening created a serious booking problem.

My practical choice would be to reserve this as part of a wider Staverden outing, confirm the tour by phone, and keep expectations focused on the combination of brewery, estate, and tasting. If that mix sounds good, $25.40 is a fair price for two hours. If your only goal is exceptional craft beer, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the Uddelaer Brewery tour begin?

It begins at Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo, Netherlands, inside the coach house of Staverden Castle.

How long does the experience last?

The tour and tasting take approximately two hours.

How many beers are included?

The experience includes a tasting of three craft beers. The brewery has eight specialty beers on tap, but the other beers are not stated to be included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people are needed to book?

At least four people are required for the activity to take place. Groups larger than 15, or groups with fewer than four, should contact the provider by telephone.

What can I see at Staverden Estate?

You can see the castle garden, walking and cycling routes, a pond, the coach house brewery, and Staverden’s distinctive white peacocks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.