Brouwerij De Prael Den Haag — Restaurant in The Hague

In 2017, a second tasting room was opened in the Houthavens area, called De Prael Houthavens. De Prael has been making significant progress this year as well, as they have implemented a franchise model with plans to open locations in The Hague, Utrecht, and Groningen. De Prael Den Haag was the first to open its doors in the spring of 2018.

There have been many changes within the Prael organization, including a renaming of their beers. Some of the previous beer names, such as Johnny, Willeke, Willy, André, and Heintje, have been changed. However, one thing has remained constant: the focus on people. De Prael is a social enterprise that employs individuals who face challenges in the job market. This principle holds true in the center of Amsterdam, the Houthavens, and in The Hague. It is the strength of De Prael, and they remain committed to this approach.

The Haegsche Prael currently functions as a restaurant and tasting room, but there are extensive plans to start brewing their own beer there. Currently, the beers are produced in Amsterdam, or as people in The Hague often say, "020." The location of Haegsche Prael, near the Energiecentrale, is fantastic. The space is spacious and gives off a grand café ambiance, which means the bar area takes a slightly more subdued role. With two terraces (front and back) and plenty of square meters indoors, the staff certainly gets enough activity during the evenings.

Among the beers we enjoyed there were the Bitterblond (a Kölsch-like beer at 5.7%), the I.P.A. (an English IPA at 6.5%), Aan Lager Wal (a collaboration with Gulpener at 3.5%), the Mikstout (4.9%), the Code Blond (made with Amsterdam rainwater at 5.7%), the Tripel (7.5%), the New England Style (a New England IPA at 5.6%), the D.I.P.A. (double IPA at 9.0%), the R.I.S. (Russian imperial stout at 8.7%), the Barley Wine (a barley wine at 9.6%), and...

De Prael Bierbrouwerij occupies the ground level of a four story building. The front is decorated with colorful string lights, a motif which is continued inside, as well as on their back patio. In front are several tables, and out back are more overlooking a large canal. It is a fairly large place with a spacious interior. In the center is a 3-sided wooden bar with a couple dozen stools. Behind the bar is a glass walled room behind shelves for glassware. Part of the brewery will be in this room, and the rest will be in a large room to the right of the bar. When I visited in 2018, this location had only been opened about a year, and did not have its own brewing equipment installed yet. They hope to operational in 2019, and in the meantime their great diversity of about 15 beers has been brought down from their original Amsterdam location, which is a compact multi-tiered brewpub. This location in The Hague has a open kitchen on the right opposite the bar. The specialize in pizza and pub fare, and the bar also serves snacks. They offer taster flights of 4 beers each which is a wonderful option. The staff is amiable and helpful. The beer is decent, spanning a good range of styles, and my favorite was their Barleywine (9.6%). Apart from the colorful string lights, the place is dimly illuminated with incandescent lamps under a black corrugated steel ceiling. Their raindrop shaped logo is hanging on the wall. Jazzy instrumental background music is playing and the place has a relaxing friendly atmosphere. I look forward to revisiting in the next couple of years to try the beers that they will brew...

Brouwerij de Prael Den Haag offers an exceptional experience for beer and food enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of the city, this brewery combines great beers with delicious cuisine in a vibrant setting.

Our visit included trying the kibbeling, a standout choice that did not disappoint. The fish was perfectly crispy and flavorful, making it clear why it's a local favorite. The quality was so evident that even a seagull swooped down, seemingly asking for a taste of this delightful dish.

One of the highlights of Brouwerij de Prael Den Haag is its amazing outdoor space. It's an ideal spot for sunbathing and enjoying the good weather with a refreshing beer in hand. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with the friendly staff, makes it a perfect place to unwind and soak up the sun.

Overall, Brouwerij de Prael Den Haag is a must-visit for anyone in the area. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just looking for a great meal in a lovely outdoor setting, this brewery delivers...