Jopen
Jopen is a brewery from Haarlem that began by bringing back old Haarlem beers and is now best known for hoppy IPAs and seasonal beers. Here you can read what Jopen is, which beers Gall & Gall sells from them, what they taste like, and how to serve them.
A Haarlem beer city brewing again
In the late Middle Ages, Haarlem was one of the major beer cities of the Low Countries, with dozens of breweries in the city. Jopen began in the 1990s as an initiative by residents of Haarlem who wanted people to taste that history again. They had beers brewed according to old Haarlem recipes, such as Koyt, a beer made with herbs instead of hops, and Hoppenbier. The name comes from the jopen: large wooden barrels in which Haarlem beer was once transported.
Today, Jopen brews its own beer, including at the Jopenkerk: an old church in the center of Haarlem that has been converted into a brewery with a tasting room and restaurant. Alongside its historic beers, Jopen makes a broad, modern range. Think IPA's packed with aroma hops, hazy New England IPAs, and a series of seasonal beers every year, from an Easter beer to a bock in autumn. The 4 Granenbok brings both sides together: the old Haarlem brewing grains barley, oats, and wheat, supplemented with roasted rye.
In brief
Four Jopen beers, from refreshing IPA to autumn bock
Gall & Gall sells four beers from Jopen. Three are hoppy and refreshing, while the fourth is a dark bock for autumn. Two of them are available in a 33 cl bottle and a large 75 cl bottle.
Jopen Mooie Nel
Jopen's best-known IPA. Unfiltered and dry-hopped with Tettnanger and Brambling Cross. Spicy, refreshingly bitter aromas, citrus, and a strong bitter finish.
Jopen Blurred Lines
A hazy, juicy New England IPA made with barley, wheat and oats. Aromas of citrus, passion fruit, peach, pineapple and mango, with little bitterness.
Jopen Sparkly Pasen
Jopen's Easter beer, in the style of a Brut IPA: very dry and effervescent. White grapes, mango, coconut and stone fruit, with a mildly bitter finish.
Jopen 4 Granenbok
Jopen's autumn bock, made with barley, oats and wheat, with roasted rye malt. Roasted and fruity notes, with a bitterness reminiscent of dark chocolate and red fruit.
Where does India Pale Ale come from, and why is it so hoppy? Find out on our IPA page.
Why does bock beer appear every autumn, and what does a good bock taste like? Read about it on our bock beer page.
Hops, tropical fruit and a pronounced bitterness
Citrus and tropical fruit
With the IPAs, you mainly smell the hops: citrus, grapefruit, passion fruit and mango, with a hint of spice in Mooie Nel too. The bock smells of roasted malt, caramel and red fruit.
Fresh or round
Mooie Nel is robust and bitter, while Blurred Lines is soft and full-bodied thanks to the oats and wheat. Sparkly Pasen is notably dry and effervescent. The 4 Granenbok is rounder and maltier.
Bitter and dry
The IPAs finish dry, with a bitterness that lingers. In the bock, the bitterness is roasted, like dark chocolate.
Flavor profile of Jopen Mooie Nel. Blurred Lines is less bitter and fruitier, while the 4 Granenbok is sweeter and maltier.
How to pour Jopen
Hoppy beer is best enjoyed fresh and not too cold. With unfiltered beers, you decide whether to pour in the sediment at the bottom.
IPA at 6 to 8 degrees
An IPA should be cool, not ice-cold. At 6 to 8 degrees, the aroma of the hops comes out best. Take the bottle out of the fridge about fifteen minutes before pouring. The 4 Granenbok can be served a little warmer, around 8 to 10 degrees, so the roasted malt contributes more flavor.
More about IPA →In a large glass with a head
Pour slowly down the side of a tilted glass and set it upright for the final third. This gives you a two-finger head. A glass that narrows slightly toward the top retains the hop aroma. Blurred Lines is naturally cloudy, so simply pour it all out.
More about pouring properly →Drink fresh
Hops lose their aroma over time. Therefore, it's best to drink IPAs within a few months of purchase and store them somewhere cool and dark. A bock can be aged a little longer. Feel free to taste the beers side by side: from fresh and fruity to bitter and then the bock.
Organize a beer tasting →Jopen at the table
The bitterness and carbonation of an IPA cut through fat and spice. A bock calls for hearty autumn food. This way, you'll find a dish to pair with every Jopen beer.
Fried food and spice
Bitterballen, fried fish, fries, but also Indian curry or Mexican food. The firm bitterness complements the spice and cuts through the fat.
Fresh and fruity
Ceviche, poke, salads with mango, or a Thai salad. The beer's juicy fruitiness pairs with fresh, sour dishes.
Brunch and drinks
Eggs, smoked salmon, asparagus, goat cheese, and snacks with drinks. The dry, sparkling beer works here like a glass of bubbly.
Stews and game
Hash, stewed meat, game stew, mushrooms, and mature or aged cheese. The roasted malt and hint of chocolate bitterness complement dark sauces.
The right glass for Jopen
Pour an IPA into a glass that narrows slightly toward the top, like a tulip. This keeps the hop aroma in the glass. A bock also works well in a stemmed beer glass. Choose a glass of 38 to 40 cl, so a 33 cl bottle fits in it with room for the head.
Everything else you wanted to know about Jopen
Is your question not listed? Read more about tasting beer, or get in touch.
Go to the beer tasting →What is Jopen?
Where does the name Jopen come from?
How much alcohol does Jopen Mooie Nel contain?
What kind of beer is Mooie Nel?
Which glass should you use for a Jopen IPA?
What food goes well with Jopen beer?
Buy Jopen
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Jopen online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 5 in stock.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. Under 18, no alcohol.