Brewery De Molen – The Closure

Reputation and Enthusiasts’ Reviews

Brouwerij De Molen enjoys a reputation for excellence among craft beer fans. On specialized review platforms, it has regularly ranked at the top: in 2010, De Molen was listed as the 10th best brewery in the world according to RateBeer, climbing to 6th place in 2016. Its creations dominated Dutch leaderboards, occupying 7 to 8 of the top 10 spots for “Best Beers of the Netherlands” in 2008 and 2009. Likewise, on BeerAdvocate, no fewer than 13 De Molen beers appear in the Dutch top 100, with 4 in the top 10, including Hel & Verdoemenis (Bourbon BA) crowned as the nation’s number one.

On Untappd, De Molen’s popularity is reflected in staggering numbers: more than 1.6 million ratings have been logged for its beers, with an overall average around 3.7/5. For instance, Hel & Verdoemenis, one of the brewery’s flagship Imperial Stouts, holds a 3.84/5 average from over 66,000 tastings—evidence of worldwide beer geek enthusiasm. Drinkers particularly praise De Molen’s bold, powerful character, especially its Imperial Stouts and Barleywines with their rich and complex flavor profiles. Social media and beer forums abound with passionate testimonials: one American fan admitted, “It must be over ten years since I last saw one of their beers on the shelf… I wish I could have supported them more,” highlighting the near-legendary aura De Molen built among connoisseurs. Another went so far as to call news of its closure an “absolute tragedy,” describing De Molen as “one of the most important breweries of the last few decades,” unmatched in its mastery of dark malts. These reactions show just how deeply the Bodegraven brewery has left its mark on the craft beer community.

History, Contributions and Iconic Styles

A view of Brouwerij De Molen inside the historic windmill “De Arkduif” in Bodegraven, symbolizing its roots at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.

Founded in 2004 by brewer Menno Olivier inside a 17th-century windmill (the De Arkduif, built in 1697 along the Oude Rijn river), Brouwerij De Molen combined tradition and creativity from the outset. Olivier, originally a homebrewer with experience in small Dutch breweries, infused De Molen with a spirit of innovation. Very quickly, the small Bodegraven brewery made a name for itself with bold recipes, becoming a pioneer of the Dutch craft movement and earning global recognition. De Molen engaged in numerous international collaborations (e.g. with Mikkeller in Denmark and De Struise in Belgium) and even recreated forgotten historical recipes, reflecting its taste for experimentation and sharing brewing knowledge. Its reach extended far beyond the Netherlands, exporting to more than 40 countries at its peak. This global distribution enhanced its aura, as did its intense, evocatively named beers.

De Molen became famous for strong, original beers, often marked with an ampersand (“&”), a trademark symbolizing the unlikely flavor pairings the brewery loved. Among its most iconic creations:

• Hel & Verdoemenis (“Hell & Damnation”): A robust Imperial Stout with intense notes of coffee and chocolate, regarded as the brewery’s flagship.

• Bommen & Granaten (“Bombs & Grenades”): A rich Barleywine around 11%, packed with dried fruits and malt, praised by connoisseurs for its depth.

• Vuur & Vlam (“Fire & Flames”): A bitter, aromatic IPA, proof that De Molen also excelled in hop-forward styles.

Over the years, De Molen collected distinctions and milestones. In 2008, Menno Olivier received the Zilveren Knuppel award for his contribution to Dutch beer culture. That same year, the brewery’s Imperial Porter Tsarina Esra was voted the most popular winter beer at the PINT Winterbierfestival. British experts Roger Protz and Tom Cannavan included De Molen and several of its brews in their Beers of the Year 2008 selection, underlining its international impact early on. The rise continued: in 2016, the RateBeer Awards named De Molen the best brewery in the Netherlands (and 6th worldwide), confirming its stature as an institution.

De Molen also built a strong community by launching the Borefts Beer Festival in 2009. Each autumn, the brewery invited craft brewers from around the world to Bodegraven, attracting thousands of visitors eager to taste unique creations in the windmill’s convivial setting. Borefts became a landmark event for European beer geeks, solidifying De Molen’s importance on the international scene while energizing local beer culture.

On the industrial side, to meet growing demand, De Molen expanded: in 2012, it installed a new 2,500-liter brewhouse near the windmill, and in 2016 capacity was extended again, reaching 25,000 hl annually. In 2019, the brewery sold 100% of its shares to Royal Swinkels Family Brewers (owner of Bavaria, La Trappe, Rodenbach, etc.), which had already been a partner for several years. The acquisition by a major player raised hopes of long-term stability and wider distribution. Unfortunately, market conditions dictated otherwise.

Toward a Closure: Rumors, Confirmation and Reactions

In late January 2025, alarming rumors shook the beer world: on a Facebook group for enthusiasts, a usually reliable source claimed “Brouwerij De Molen will close on September 1.” The news, echoed on Reddit and other forums, immediately stirred the community. Days later, an official announcement sadly confirmed it: parent company Royal Swinkels publicly declared its intent to shut down De Molen by September 2025, citing declining performance. According to a spokesperson, the Bodegraven brewery had been “under pressure for some time,” due to falling beer consumption in the market. Swinkels said it could no longer operate the site profitably in its current form, pointing to both declining demand and an unfavorable lease for the historic windmill location. The plan was submitted to the Works Council for consultation, but without a viable alternative the brewery will permanently close on September 1, 2025. This marks the end of an era: after more than two decades shaping Dutch craft beer, De Molen is preparing its farewell.

Reactions were swift. Shock and sadness dominated among beer lovers worldwide. Social media filled with tributes honoring De Molen’s legacy. “This is a shock—we’re losing one of the most influential craft breweries of recent decades,” lamented one fan, while another recalled “unforgettable memories of drinking a De Molen along Amsterdam’s canals.” Many see the closure as symbolic of craft beer’s golden age fading. “De Molen was one of those breweries I spoke about with nostalgia for years… its disappearance is a personal blow,” wrote one forum user, echoing a shared sentiment. Others noted bitterly that the brewery’s beers had already become hard to find, a warning sign of trouble: “I hadn’t seen any around here in ages…”

The fate of the Borefts Beer Festival also hangs in the balance. Swinkels has stated no decision has been made about the 2025 edition, hinting it may not take place. This is a heavy blow to the community, as Borefts had become a cherished annual gathering for European beer geeks. Uncertainty also surrounds De Molen’s twelve employees, whose professional future is threatened. Management has not clarified whether reassignments or assistance will be offered, and the public is closely following developments.

Swinkels has attempted to reassure fans, suggesting that some flagship De Molen beers might continue to be brewed at other group facilities. However, no details have been given, and many fear the artisan soul of De Molen’s brews will not survive outside the unique context of the Bodegraven windmill. For observers, losing such a symbolic site—an iconic 17th-century windmill housing one of the country’s most creative breweries—represents a cultural loss. De Molen’s closure signals the end of an era and raises questions about preserving Dutch craft beer heritage. It reflects a broader industry trend of consolidation, with large groups absorbing or shuttering pioneering microbreweries, fueling fears of homogenization.

Still, the story isn’t ending without a living legacy. Visionary founder Menno Olivier has continued his brewing journey abroad. After leaving De Molen, he settled in Spain, launching Menno Olivier Brewing in 2024 before joining Catalonia’s La Pirata Brewing to keep crafting innovative beers. Thus, the creative spirit behind De Molen lives on, inspiring enthusiasts worldwide. Yet for thousands of fans, the closure feels like a thunderclap. “Visit it today, for tomorrow it will be too late” could be the motto of saddened drinkers, determined to raise a final glass before the mill stops turning forever.

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org
beeradvocate.com
untappd.com
inside.beer
reddit.com
beer.be