Beer route between IJssel and Zuiderzee 48 km

Elburg, Kampen, Dronten

Between Elburg, Kampen, and the polder near Dronten lies an area where beer has played a role for centuries. In the Hanseatic League era, beer wasn't just a drink; it was an essential necessity. Water was often not clean enough to drink, so residents brewed their own beer, safe and nutritious. The location on the IJssel and Zuiderzee rivers provided not only water but also trade routes along which grain, hops, and other raw materials found their way to the city gates. Windmills ground the grain, ships brought fresh supplies, and breweries kept the city vibrant.

Today you cycle through the same landscape, but the role of beer has changed. While beer is no longer essential to daily life, the brewing tradition remains. In the region, you see how old tracks and new initiatives intersect: historic towns where breweries were once part of urban life, and polder land that only became available for agriculture and crafts after the land reclamation. Where ships once docked, you now find brewers focused on taste, quality, and sustainability. The area serves as a reminder that beer has always been linked to local conditions: the availability of water, grain, and hops, and the entrepreneurial spirit to put them to good use.