Culture
Hertog Jan Brewery
A brewery with guided tours in Arcen, since 1915
Hertog Jan Brewery at a glance
24 minby car
39 minby bike
10.5 kmdistance
- Location
- Arcen
- Address
- Kruisweg 44, 5944 EN Arcen
- Guided tour
- about an hour, online booking required
- Open
- May to October, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11:00 to 17:00
- Access
- 144 steps during the tour
A steam brewery from 1915
On 2 March 1915, four brewers from Roobeek, Broekhuizen, Lottum and Broekhuizenvorst founded a new brewery together: a modern steam brewery just outside Arcen. They chose the spot for its natural spring.
In 1981 three employees took over the brewery as the Arcense Stoombierbrouwerij and switched from pilsner to speciality beers.
The guided tour
In about an hour a guide takes you through the brewing process, from the copper brew kettles to the cellar full of Grand Prestige bottles, with tastings along the way. If you want more, book the Liefhebbers Tour of about two and a half hours, which visits places the regular tour does not.
Along the way you climb 144 steps, through narrow and low passages. Afterwards you can have lunch or dinner at the Hertog Jan Proeverij next door, which opened in 1981 as a reception room for brewery visitors.
Tip from reception
Book the tour online in advance, as you cannot join without a booking, and bring your debit card: cash is not accepted. On Thursdays and Sundays the brewery is open by appointment only.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Two guided toursThe guided tour takes about an hour, the Liefhebbers Tour about two and a half hours. Booking is online and required.
Opening hoursMay to October Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat, November to April Wed, Fri and Sat, always 11:00 to 17:00. Thursdays and Sundays by appointment.
144 stepsThe route runs through narrow and low passages and is less suitable if you have limited mobility. Dogs only if they are assistance dogs.
Card payment onlyCash is not accepted. Lunch or dinner is available at the Hertog Jan Proeverij next to the brewery.
Photos: brew kettles Claude Piché, tasting board Daniel, staircase Azzedine Rouichi, card terminal Towfiqu barbhuiya; via Unsplash.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to the brewery in Arcen, and back to your own wellness.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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24 minutes from the hotel, a guide leads you past the copper brew kettles to the cellar full of Grand Prestige bottles.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, saunas and wellness lounge are waiting, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Your room, wellness included
Six rooms, from the Comfort room to the Apartment. With every room you use the pool, saunas, steam room and lounge free of charge.
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Getting there
From the hotel it takes about:
Hertog Jan Brewery, Kruisweg 44, 5944 EN Arcen
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000How long does a tour of the Hertog Jan Brewery take?
About an hour, with tastings along the way. The Liefhebbers Tour takes about two and a half hours.
Do you need to book for the brewery?
Yes, online via the brewery's website; booking is required. Payment is by debit card only.
When is the Hertog Jan Brewery open to visitors?
From May to October on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from November to April on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, always from 11:00 to 17:00. On Thursdays and Sundays by appointment only; during the Dutch school holidays from Tuesday to Sunday.
Is the tour suitable if you have limited mobility?
Less so. The route has 144 steps and runs through narrow and low passages.
Can you get something to eat after the tour?
Yes, at the Hertog Jan Proeverij next to the brewery, at Kruisweg 43, for lunch or dinner.
How far is the Hertog Jan Brewery from Parkhotel Horst?
About 24 minutes by car or 39 minutes by bike.
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Photos of the cards: Vincent van Zeijst (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photo hero: B. Hulshoff (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After the Hertog Jan Brewery: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
Less than half an hour from the brewery, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with your own wellness under the same roof.
