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

The best part of this experience is the setting: De Uddelaer Brewery occupies the old coach house of Staverden Castle, where brewing kettles share space with a historic estate, gardens, and a terrace facing the castle. You get a brewery visit and a small taste of Dutch country life in one stop.

I like the chance to meet the brewmaster and ask about the brewing process rather than simply receiving three glasses at a bar. I also like the mix of beer and place: Staverden’s castle garden, ponds, walking routes, and white peacocks give you something to explore before or after the tasting.

The main caution is consistency. The location receives warm praise, but the beer and service have not always impressed every visitor. I would book this for the brewery setting and estate, not solely because you expect every beer to become a new favorite.

Key points to know before booking

• Three craft beers are included, with guidance on tasting and beer styles.
• The brewery is in Staverden Castle’s coach house, an atmospheric setting with brewing equipment on view.
• The brewmaster takes part, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at De Uddelaer.
• Staverden is a destination in its own right, with gardens, nature routes, and white peacocks.
• The tour lasts about two hours and is offered in English.
• A minimum of four people is required, and private groups are limited to 15 participants.

A brewery inside Staverden Castle’s coach house

You begin at Staverdenseweg 283 A in Ermelo, in the grounds of Landgoed Staverden. The brewery and Uddelaer Brewpub occupy the estate’s coach house, a much more memorable place for a beer tasting than an ordinary city taproom.

The building gives the visit its character. You are not simply seated at a bar while someone lists ingredients. The brewing kettles and working brewery form part of the surroundings, so the explanation has a physical setting. You can connect the talk about malt, hops, fermentation, and serving with the equipment in front of you.

The estate itself has roots reaching back to the twelfth century. Staverden is often called the smallest city in the Netherlands, and the title adds a curious bit of local history to the visit. Its size is not the point here. The appeal is the combination of a castle, a rural setting, a brewery, and paths through the Veluwe area.

The tour is offered in English, which makes it useful for international visitors. No individual guide name is provided, so you should expect the brewery team or brewmaster to lead the visit rather than a named historical guide.

What the two-hour visit actually gives you

The experience is built around three craft beers and a guided brewery tour. You learn how to approach a tasting, then sample several Uddelaer beers rather than ordering a single familiar lager.

That matters because craft beer can be a little bewildering when you are handed a flight without context. The tasting portion should help you pay attention to color, aroma, bitterness, sweetness, body, and finish. You may not love every pour, but you will have a better idea of what you are tasting and why the beers differ.

The brewery keeps eight specialty beers on tap. The advertised tasting includes three, so the full tap list gives you a wider sense of the range than the tasting alone. If you enjoy one of the samples, you may be able to order another beer afterward at the brewpub, subject to what is available that day.

The meeting with the brewmaster is the most useful part for anyone curious about small-scale brewing. You can hear how the brewery views its work, see the production area, and ask questions that a standard self-guided visit would not cover.

At about two hours, the activity is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking over an entire day. That leaves room to walk around Staverden before or after the tasting.

Three beers, one important expectation

The beer is the part of this visit where your taste matters most. Some people enjoy the specialty beers; others find them less appealing than more familiar local options. I would not book this assuming that all three samples will suit you.

The tasting is still useful even if you prefer lighter or more traditional beer. Sampling three different pours lets you compare them in one sitting. The point is not to force yourself to like a beer. It is to learn what you prefer, then use the brewery’s tap list to guide any later order.

The brewery’s philosophy also seems to lean toward modern brewing methods and technology. That can be interesting if you want to understand the practical side of production, though it may not match your idea of a rustic, hands-on craft brewery. The tone of the explanation may appeal more to someone interested in process than to someone looking only for a romantic story about old-fashioned brewing.

There have also been complaints about staff talking during explanations and difficulty getting a useful beer recommendation. That is worth keeping in mind. The visit may be best when you arrive with a few questions of your own, such as which beer is least bitter, which is most malty, or which pairs best with cheese.

Meeting the brewmaster behind the kettles

The personal contact is a clear advantage over simply visiting the brewpub. A brewmaster can explain how the beers are made and why the brewery chooses particular ingredients or methods.

You should use this time actively. Ask about the three beers in your tasting flight. Ask which one is most representative of Uddelaer. If you are unsure about strong bitterness, sweetness, or alcohol, ask before ordering another pour.

The information provided does not promise a hands-on brewing session, and you should not expect to brew a batch yourself. The behind-the-scenes element means seeing the brewery, hearing how it operates, and meeting the person responsible for the beer.

The quality of the explanation may depend on who leads the group and how busy the brewpub is. One account describes a successful, relaxed tasting outdoors in good weather, while another found the tour only moderate and the talk disrupted by conversation from staff. That tells me to value the setting and direct contact, but to keep expectations sensible about presentation.

Staverden Estate gives the tour its real advantage

The estate is the reason I would make this a half-day outing rather than arrive only for the beer. Staverden offers a castle garden, a pond, walking and cycling routes, and views of the surrounding Veluwe nature reserves.

The white peacocks are the unusual detail. They are part of Staverden’s identity and give you something distinctive to look for as you walk around the grounds. You also have the castle and coach house to see, plus an orangery behind the estate buildings.

A brief stop here can be worthwhile even if you are cycling through the area. One practical account describes stopping during a bike ride to see the country house, coach house, garden, pond, and orangery. That makes the brewery a useful break in a day outdoors, not just a stand-alone tasting room.

You should allow time to look around before your appointment or after it. The activity itself lasts about two hours, but the estate rewards a slower pace. The supplied schedule lists visits from Tuesday through Sunday, between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, so your choice of time may affect how much daylight you have for the grounds.

Food options and what the tasting may pair with

A cheese and sausage board is listed as a sample menu. It includes dry sausage, cheese, lettuce, carrots, olives, tomatoes, peppers, dates, mustard, and small crackers.

That is a sensible match for beer, especially if you plan to linger after the formal tasting. Salty sausage, firm cheese, mustard, and crackers can soften the effect of bitterness and give you a way to compare beers with food.

The available information does not clearly state that the board is included in the $25.40 price. Treat it as a possible food option, not as part of the confirmed tasting package, and check the booking details if the board matters to your budget.

A separate price example for a three-beer board and a snack board was €35 for two people, but prices and packages can change. The safest comparison is to confirm exactly what your booking includes before you arrive.

Is $25.40 a fair price?

At the stated price of $25.40 per person, the value depends on how much of the visit you use. Three beers alone would not make this a remarkable bargain for every drinker. The guided tour, brewmaster meeting, and access to a notable estate make the price more reasonable.

I would compare it with the cost of a normal beer flight plus an attraction ticket. Here, the castle setting and estate walk are part of the reason to come, even though the experience is not presented as a full castle tour.

The private format also matters. Only your group takes part, with a maximum of 15 people. That can make questions easier than in a large public group. It also explains the minimum of four people. If fewer than four are booked, you need to contact the provider by phone at +31 6 53 778994.

Because the experience is private, it suits families or friend groups who want to set their own pace. It may be less useful for a solo visitor unless the minimum group requirement is already being met through the booking arrangement.

Timing, transport, and practical details

The meeting point is Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo, Netherlands. The location is near public transportation, although the supplied information does not specify a particular bus or train connection.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need a printed voucher. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

The activity returns you to the same meeting point. That is convenient if you are combining it with a walk, cycling route, or visit to the estate. Plan your transport carefully if you intend to stay for additional beer afterward, since the tasting involves alcohol.

The stated operating days are Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The listed date range extends through December 8, 2026. Since the schedule and availability can change, confirm the time shown for your chosen date.

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

Who will enjoy this Uddelaer experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to three kinds of people:

• You enjoy craft beer and want to compare several specialty beers with an explanation.
• You are visiting the Veluwe and want a rural stop that combines food, drink, history, and walking.
• You are arranging a private outing for a group of at least four people.

It is also a good fit for cyclists using the surrounding routes. The estate provides a natural break, and the brewpub gives you a comfortable place to stop.

I would be more cautious if your priority is exceptional beer above everything else. The beer quality has received mixed reactions, and the service may not always be polished. If you already know you prefer a nearby brewery’s beers, this may not change your mind.

The location, not just the liquid in the glass, is the strongest reason to come. You get a sense of Staverden as a place, and the brewery gives the visit a local focus.

Should you book this brewery tour?

Book it if you like the idea of three beers in a castle coach house, a meeting with the brewmaster, and time to see Staverden’s gardens and white peacocks. At $25.40, it offers fair value when you treat it as an estate visit with a brewery program, not simply a paid flight of beer.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed favorite beer, a polished performance, or a large range of samples. The better plan is to visit with modest expectations, ask direct questions, and leave time for the grounds. For a Veluwe day out, the setting makes this a worthwhile option. For a serious beer pilgrimage, you may want to compare the current tap list and service arrangements before committing.

FAQ

Where does the Uddelaer Brewery tour begin?

The tour begins at Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo, Netherlands.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

How many beers are included?

The experience includes a tasting of three craft beers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is the brewery located at Staverden Castle?

Yes. De Ambachtelijke Bierbrouwerij De Uddelaer and the Uddelaer Brewpub are located in the coach house of Staverden Castle.

Can I meet the brewmaster?

Yes. Meeting the brewmaster and learning about the brewery are part of the experience.

How many people are needed for the tour to operate?

At least four people are required. Groups larger than 15 should contact the provider by telephone.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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