What is organic beer?

At vandeStreek bier, we believe that brewing good beer can go hand in hand with being a little kind to the planet. That's why all our classics are 100% organic. Not because we have to, but because we can, and because we think it's important.

But what does organic brewing actually mean? And why is it worth it? We explain it in this blog.

What is organic beer?

Organic beer is brewed with ingredients that are fully organically grown. This means: without artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or genetic modification. The grains, hops, and yeast are all certified organic, and the brewing process itself must also comply with strict rules for environment and sustainability.

What does Skal do and why is it important?

In the Netherlands, Skal Biocontrole is the organization that supervises organic production. If you want to put the word “organic” on your label as a brewer, you must be certified.

The certification process is thorough: every ingredient must be traceable to its organic source, and as a brewer, you must demonstrate that your processes are clean, traceable, and honest. For us at vandeStreek, this meant a few adjustments in the brewery, but thanks to our focus on quality and process control, we were able to make that step relatively smoothly.

Since then, we can proudly say: our classics are officially organic.

How does organic beer taste?

Organic refers to how a beer is made, not how it tastes. So don't expect 'geitenwollensokken' (hippie/boring) in your glass. Our organic beers taste exactly as you expect from us: full, fresh, drinkable and with character.

For those who think "organic, that must taste dull," take a sip and judge for yourself. We promise: you won't taste a quality mark, you'll just taste good beer.

Which vandeStreek beers are organic?

Our organic range consists of: Broeders, Turf 'n Surf, Witzige Weizen and Pilsener. All organic, all 100% plant-based. Available in cans and on tap. Pilsener is also gluten-free in addition to being organic.

Why do we choose organic?

Because we believe it's possible. Making delicious beer without unnecessary burden on the planet. We not only pay attention to our ingredients, but also to things like water usage, waste production, and the reuse of residual flows. For us, organic brewing is not a marketing trick, but a way of working that fits who we are.

Why we don't brew all our beers organically

While we would love to brew everything organically, it's not always feasible in practice. For some beers, we want to work with specific hop varieties – often American varieties – which are unfortunately not organically available.

In such cases, we choose taste: we don't want to compromise on the character of the beer. At the same time, we continue to look for ways to brew these beers as sustainably as possible, for example by using raw materials efficiently.

What can you do as a drinker?

Try an organic beer. Not just from us, but also from other brewers who work with care for the planet. Organic no longer means boring or dull; it means pure, conscious, and often surprisingly full of flavor.

And who knows, a glass of organic beer might taste even better when you know that what you don't taste is also good.

Curious? You can find our organic beers in our webshop, in hospitality establishments, or at your favorite liquor store. Cheers to good beer with a good story.