On his recent visit to the Netherlands the Wine Anarchist and his wife happened to wander around the historical
Delfshaven area of Rotterdam and chanced to pass this inviting looking brew pub. The area is particularly famous for being the starting point for the pilgrims leaving for the New World in 1620, initially on the Speedwell, then changing onto the Mayflower.
The Pilgrim Fathers Church next door was dedicated to this event.
Seeing the mash tuns through the window of
'de Pelgrem' Restaurant and micro-brewery he decided to have a quick taste on what was on offer.
It smelled divine, but being pressed for time he decided to go for the 5 Euro for 5 taster samples and the quality throughout was exceptional.
The staff were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and the atmosphere of the bar was cosy on this quiet mid-week early evening. Explanatory diagrams on the mirrors explained the basic brewing process.
When it was time to go the WA decided to buy a selection of the beers in bottle to re-taste at home at his own leisure. Here are his comments:
Stoombier 5%: Golden amber in colour, this is a pilsener-style with a kick. The nose is distinctly hoppy with herbal notes of stingy nettles and a dried fruit background; the palate is refreshingly bitter with notes of elderflower and a long dry finish. Oozing with character!
1580 4.8%: This a Dusseldorf style Alt beer flavoured with Hallertauer hops. The colour is a reddy brown, slightly cloudy;the nose is very malty with notes of prunes and marzipan; the palate is soft and full with some overripe fruit notes well balanced by pronounced hoppy flavours, finishing bone dry. Very pleasant indeed.
Saison 7.5%: Made in the French style using barley spelt this is deep amber in colour and slightly cloudy; the aromatic nose displays yeasty characters with fruity orange peel and blossom notes and hints of nutmeg and cloves; On the palate a fresh acidity combined with a herbal background and fruity notes. This is somewhat like a wheat beer with a long, complex and dry finish.
Dubbellam 7%: Despite its name, double lamb, this more like a full grown ram! Light chestnut in colour, the nose is full of autumnal aromas, reminiscent of wood, dead leaves, nuts and rosehips combining with notes of violets and liquorice; the palate is rich and full, displaying nice fruit flavours of elderberry and blackberry combining with allspice and liquorice, finishing warm and long.
Mayflower Tripel 7.5%: Deep amber in colour, with the nose showing yeasty characters combining with dark dried fruit such as prunes and raisins as well as fresh hay aromas; the palate is lively and frothy with more of the fruit, finishing long, dry and hoppy. Well balanced with some earthy notes.
VSOP 9.6%: This Chateauneuf du Pape of beers has been matured for 5 months in oak barrels resulting in a dark mahogony coloured brew which is almost still and treacly; the bouquet is rich in chocolate and bourbon vanilla notes combining with overripe fruit aromas, such as moreno cherries and medlars; The initial sweet fruit gives way to to warm liquorice notes and finishing dry and long with distinctly oaky flavours. A stunning winter warmer!
The samplers in the bar also included a coffee stout which was just like drinking a cold and alcoholic mocca coffee. Delicious!
So if you happen to find yourself at a loose end in Rotterdam you can do worse then visit this place. Details below:
De Pelgrem Stadsbrouwerij en Restaurant
Aelbrechtskolk 12
Rotterdam
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