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

At Staverden Estate, beer and place matter equally. You tour Uddelaer Brewery in the old Coach House of the castle, taste three craft beers, and step into a setting with gardens, a pond, and white peacocks. The estate’s story reaches back to the twelfth century, giving this small brewery visit a strong sense of place.

I like the personal meeting with the brewmaster and the chance to see the brewing area rather than simply sit down with a flight of beer. I also like the easy pairing of the tasting with a walk around Staverden, widely known as the smallest city in the Netherlands. The main caution is consistency: some feedback praises the location and tasting, while other comments criticize the beer, service, and even outdated availability information.

Key points at a glance

• Three craft beers included: You learn basic tasting ideas while sampling several Uddelaer beers.
• Brewery inside a castle Coach House: The setting gives the tour more character than a stand-alone tasting room.
• Brewmaster meeting: Expect behind-the-scenes explanation about the brewing process and the brewery’s approach.
• Staverden Estate nearby: Gardens, a pond, walking and cycling routes, and white peacocks make this more than a beer stop.
• About two hours: The timing works well as part of a half-day visit to the Veluwe.
• Small private format: The activity is for your group only, with a minimum of four and a maximum of 15 participants.

Beer tasting in a twelfth-century setting

The most appealing part of this outing is the combination of a working brewery and an old estate. De Ambachtelijke Bierbrouwerij De Uddelaer operates from the Coach House of Staverden Castle, so your tasting takes place in an atmospheric building rather than an ordinary bar.

You’ll tour the brewery, hear about the brewing process, and meet the brewmaster. The experience is presented as a behind-the-scenes look at craft beer, not just a quick pour of three samples. That distinction matters. If you enjoy knowing how a drink is made, the equipment and explanation should give the tasting more context.

The brewery also has a brewpub with eight specialty beers on tap. The tour includes three beers, while the larger tap selection gives you the option of ordering another beer if you want to stay longer. The supplied information does not identify the beers served on a particular date, so you should not expect a fixed list of styles.

The tasting is also linked to basic beer appreciation. You can expect an explanation of how to taste and compare beers, though the exact depth of the instruction may depend on the brewmaster leading your visit. Some feedback describes the tour as pleasant and successful, while other feedback found the beers less impressive than nearby alternatives. I would book this for the setting and brewery access first, and treat the beer quality as a personal matter rather than a guarantee.

What the two-hour visit includes

The advertised duration is about two hours. That should give you enough time for the brewery tour, the tasting, and conversation with the brewmaster without turning the activity into a full-day commitment.

The visit begins at Staverdenseweg 283 A in Ermelo. It ends at the same meeting point, which makes planning simple if you arrive by car, bicycle, or public transport. The location is near public transportation, and the activity is offered in English.

A normal flow should include:

• An introduction to Uddelaer Brewery and its setting
• A guided look around the brewing area
• An explanation of craft beer tasting
• Three beer samples
• Time to meet and talk with the brewmaster
• The chance to continue at the brewpub or on the terrace

The exact order is not specified, so allow some flexibility. A lively group discussion or a busy service period could change the pace. One negative account describes staff talking through part of the explanation, which suggests that the atmosphere may sometimes feel more like an active pub than a quiet classroom.

Meeting the brewmaster behind the kettles

For me, the brewmaster meeting is the heart of the experience. Brewery tours are most useful when you can connect the drink in your glass with the people and equipment that produce it. Here, you are meant to see the operation up close and ask questions in a small-group setting.

The brewery presents its work as a blend of tradition and modern brewing knowledge. One piece of feedback took issue with the strong emphasis on computer-based brewing rather than old-fashioned craft. That is useful to know before booking. If you want a romantic story about all-manual brewing, this may not be the experience you have in mind. If you are interested in how modern brewing tools shape consistency and production, the approach could be more interesting.

No brewmaster’s name is provided, so you should not expect a specific named host. The activity is supplied by Bierbrouwerij De Uddelaer, and the available information promises access to the brewmaster rather than a particular individual.

The group limit helps here. With no more than 15 participants, there is at least a reasonable chance to ask questions. The activity is private, so only your own group takes part. That is a real advantage for couples, families, or friends who want a more relaxed visit than a large public tour.

Three beers, not a full tasting menu

The package includes three craft beers. That is enough for a useful comparison, especially if the samples cover different types of beer. You can look at color, smell, bitterness, sweetness, body, and finish as you move from one glass to the next.

Do not confuse this with a large beer festival or an all-afternoon tasting. Three beers over a two-hour visit leaves room for the tour and conversation, but it also means the tasting itself is limited. If you want to try a wider range, the brewpub usually has eight specialty beers on tap.

The available information does not name the three included beers or promise a particular style selection. Ask what is being poured when you arrive. That will help you understand the comparison and decide if you want an additional glass afterward.

Beer taste is personal, and the feedback here is mixed. Some people found the tasting successful and enjoyed sitting outside afterward. Others found the beer disappointing and preferred beers from another brewery in the nearby area. I would not choose this visit solely because you expect every beer to become a favorite. Choose it if you want to learn, sample, and enjoy the setting.

A cheese and sausage board for a longer stop

The listed food option is a starter board with dry sausage and cheese on lettuce, plus carrots, olives, tomatoes, peppers, dates, mustard, and mini-crackers. It is a practical match for beer, especially if you plan to stay after the tour.

The menu information does not state that the board is included in the $25.40 tour price. Treat it as an additional food option unless your booking details say otherwise. The serving is designed for grazing rather than a full meal, so plan another meal if you need something substantial.

A board also gives you a way to slow down the tasting. Salty sausage, cheese, mustard, and crackers can change how you notice bitterness and sweetness in beer. The fruit and vegetables add lighter flavors between samples. If you are visiting with a group, sharing the board may make the stop feel more social and less rushed.

Staverden Estate and the white peacocks

The brewery is only one reason to come here. Staverden Estate is surrounded by the Veluwe’s nature reserves, with a castle garden, pond, walking routes, and cycling routes. The white peacocks are the memorable detail. They give the estate a bit of storybook charm without requiring a separate attraction ticket.

The estate is widely known as the smallest city in the Netherlands. That label is a useful conversation starter, but the practical value is that the brewery visit fits naturally into a wider outing. You can make the two-hour tasting the center of a half-day stop, then spend time outdoors before or after it.

The gardens and pond also make this a good choice for someone in your group who is not strongly interested in beer. A non-drinker can enjoy the setting, although the included tasting is still the main feature of the booked activity. The terrace overlooks the castle, giving you a pleasant place to continue with another drink when the weather cooperates.

The information does not provide a detailed walking route or guarantee that the peacocks will be visible during your visit. Think of them as a notable feature of the estate, not a timed animal encounter.

How the value works at $25.40

At $25.40 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the brewery access, guided explanation, three beers, and private group format. You are paying for more than the liquid in the glasses. The location, the Coach House, the brewmaster meeting, and the estate surroundings all form part of the experience.

The value is less convincing if you only want a quick beer flight. The three samples alone may not justify the cost for you, particularly if you are unsure about Uddelaer’s beer selection. In that case, visiting the brewpub for a drink may make more sense, though the supplied information does not give a separate price for that option.

Private tours often make the price easier to accept for a group. You do not share the booked activity with strangers, and you can ask questions that might get lost in a large tour. The minimum of four people matters, though. A smaller party should contact the provider before relying on the booking, since the activity requires at least four participants. Groups larger than 15 also need to call.

One practical warning deserves attention. An older account describes arriving for a booking when the brewery was not open, with tickets still appearing to be sold online. The listed operating period runs from January 17, 2020 through December 8, 2026, Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Because opening details have caused confusion in the past, confirm the time and date directly with Bierbrouwerij De Uddelaer before setting out.

Who will enjoy this visit most

I would choose this experience if you are already visiting the Veluwe and want a focused activity between outdoor stops. It suits beer fans who like learning how a brewery works, couples looking for a relaxed shared outing, and groups of four to 15 who prefer a private booking.

It also works for mixed-interest groups. Someone who cares about gardens, old buildings, or the white peacocks can enjoy Staverden Estate while the beer drinkers focus on the brewery.

You may want to skip it if you demand a polished tasting-room service style or want a guaranteed lineup of exceptional beers. Feedback points to uneven service, occasional interruptions during the explanation, and beer that some people did not enjoy. The beautiful setting cannot remove those risks.

The activity is offered in English, service animals are allowed, and the information says most people can participate. It is near public transportation. These details make it fairly easy to add to a Netherlands itinerary, but no special accessibility description is provided beyond that general participation note.

Timing, group size, and cancellation

The tour runs Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, within the stated operating period. The experience itself lasts about two hours and returns to the meeting point at Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the ticket is mobile. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Because the minimum is four people, check the group requirement before making firm transport plans. The private format is limited to 15 participants, and groups outside that range should call +31 6 53 778994.

Should you book Uddelaer Brewery?

Book it if you want a small, place-based beer outing with a castle Coach House, a brewmaster meeting, three samples, and time to enjoy Staverden Estate. The white peacocks, garden, pond, and Veluwe routes give the visit value even if one beer is not your favorite.

I would confirm the opening time directly before traveling and keep your expectations measured about the service and beer quality. For a private group already exploring the area, this is a good way to connect local scenery with local brewing. For a serious beer hunter seeking a polished tasting lineup, the uncertainty over the beers and mixed feedback make it a less certain choice.

FAQ

Where does the Uddelaer Brewery tour begin?

It begins at Staverdenseweg 283 A, 3852 NV Ermelo, Netherlands.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many beers are included?

Three craft beers are included in the tasting.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

How many people are needed to run the tour?

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

What are the operating days and hours?

The activity is listed from Tuesday through Sunday, between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, during the stated operating period ending December 8, 2026.

Can I see white peacocks during the visit?

White peacocks are a feature of Staverden Estate. The information does not guarantee a sighting at a particular time.

Is food available?

A cheese and sausage board is listed, with dry sausage, cheese, vegetables, olives, dates, mustard, and mini-crackers. The available information does not state that it is included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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