| Title | Geloof in de Brouwerij – Opkomst, bloei, ondergang en herrijzenis van bierbrouwerij De Gekroonde Valk / Faith in the Brewery – The rise, flourishing, fall and resurrection of the De Gekroonde Valk brewery |
| Author | Rolf van der Woude |
| Publisher | Stichting de Gekroonde Valk |
| Date | 2e druk 2017 1e druk 2009 – Uitgeverij Bas Lubberhuizen |
| ISBN | 978-9090306568 |
| Pages | 144 |
| Summary | The current beer craze actually began in Amsterdam, as evidenced by this company history of Van Vollenhoven’s Brewery and Vinegar Factory ‘De Gekroonde Valk’, which stood on Hoogte Kadijk in Amsterdam until around 1950. The brewery was not only famous for Van Vollenhoven’s Extra Stout, the market leader in the Netherlands around 1900. It also played a significant role in the social development of the Netherlands in the second half of the 19th century – a role that is still felt today, as existing organizations such as the CNV, the Vrije Universiteit, and the housing association Patrimonium were actually initiated from this brewery. All of this is vividly described in this beautifully illustrated and designed book. |
Rise, Fall, and Rebirth: The Story of De Gekroonde Valk
In his book Geloof in de Brouwerij (Faith in the Brewery), Rolf van der Woude outlines the history of Brewery De Gekroonde Valk (The Crowned Falcon). This is not merely a corporate history, but a social portrait of Amsterdam, the Industrial Revolution, and the influence of Protestantism on Dutch entrepreneurship.
1. The Early Years (1733–1858)
- Founding: Established in 1733 by Jan van den Bosch at the Hoogte Kadijk, Amsterdam.
- Naming: In 1791, the Van Vollenhoven family takes over; the brewery becomes synonymous with the name ‘Van Vollenhoven’.
- Focus: Artisanal brewing of traditional Dutch beer and the export of ‘Princessebier’ to the Dutch East Indies.
2. The Golden Age & Industrialization (1858–1914)
- Growth: The introduction of steam engines (c. 1872) leads to explosive scaling. Around 1900, De Gekroonde Valk is larger than competitors Heineken and Amstel.
- Hero Product: Van Vollenhoven’s Extra Stout. Marketed as a health drink for the sick and for nursing mothers.
- Symbol: The installation of the iconic falcon statue in 1891 to mark the brewery’s centennial under the Van Vollenhoven family.
3. Willem Hovy: Brewer Next to God
Director Willem Hovy (1858–1913) is the central figure of the story. He combined faith and capital:
- Societal Impact: He financed the ‘Reformed pillar’ (including the Free University of Amsterdam) with brewery profits.
- Social Policy: Progressive for the time (pensions, continued pay during illness), but driven by strict Christian paternalism. He detested socialism and demanded moral behavior from his workers.
4. Decline and Closure (1914–1949)
- The Shift: The public taste shifts en masse from heavy Stout to light Pilsner. De Gekroonde Valk modernizes too slowly.
- The Blow: The Great Depression of the 1930s and WWII exhaust the company’s reserves.
- The End: In 1949, competitor Heineken acquires the brewery, only to close and demolish it. They retain the brand name, but the physical brewery disappears.
5. The Rebirth (1993–Present)
- Heritage: In 1993, a replica of the falcon statue is returned to the original location.
- Poesiat & Kater: In 2017, the Poesiat & Kater brewery opens in Amsterdam East. They secured the old recipes and are brewing the original Van Vollenhoven beers once again.
- Full Circle: The new brewery is named after Bart Poesiat and Klaas Kater, two historical employees and leaders of the Christian trade union under Hovy’s management.
Sources
- Brouwerij de Gekroonde Valk, Frederik Ruis, Witte Klavervier
- John Schwarz
- Nederlands Bier Cultuur
- Wikipedia: De Gekroonde Valk
About Poesiat & Kater
The brewery on the Polderweg is named after Bart Poesiat and Klaas Kater the foreman-carpenter and foreman-mason of the Gekroonde Valk brewery.
Articles
- Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater heeft de tap opengezet, Parool, 2017
- Poesiat & Kater (Nederlandse Biercultuur)
- Toen bier nog heel gezond was, Herman Amelink, NRC, oktober 2009
- De opmars van Van Vollenhoven’s Extra Stout, Nell Westerlaken, Volkskrant, mei 2017
- Een ‘gezond’ bier krijgt weer toekomst, Hans Wammes, NRC, maart 2017
Video
About Willem Hovy
- Rolf van der Woude, Brouwer naast God: Willem Hovy (1840–1915), ondernemer en filantroop, Boom Publishers, 2020
About Maarten Maartens
Maarten Maartens (pen name of Jozua Marius Willem van der Poorten Schwartz, 1858–1915) was connected to Brouwerij De Gekroonde Valk through family and marriage ties, and member of the supervisory board (1892-1908).
