Who in Belgium talks about Limburg, almost always talks about our lovely province in the right corner of our country. But what many do not know is that there is also a Dutch Limburg. This Dutch province just across the Belgian border and adjacent to ‘our’ Limburg has everything that all Belgians appreciate: beautiful art cities, delicious lunch and dinner addresses, picturesque walking and cycling routes along river and forest! Add to this a delicious piece of Limburg vlaai (flan) and undiluted Limburg passion and you know: it is lovely to be here!
The land of Maas: by land, sea and bicycle…or on horseback!
Like a majestic brush stroke, the Meuse also paints its way through Dutch Limburg. At its most beautiful, it brings magnificent views and wonderful peace. But here too, every additional centimetre of water was measured last summer with bated breath. They did escape the worst of the disasters. One of the reasons for this is the natural reservoirs and fens that have been installed. However, at low tide today, these beautiful natural reservoirs show a beautiful green diversity.
After we had crossed the sturdy Meuse river with a nice transfer boat, near the village of Arcen, we got on our steel horses. The Netherlands is cycling country, and that makes it extra fun to recognise the surroundings here as well. For the electric bikers among us: nofear of lacking battery necessary, because here you will find a charging point every now and then. By the way, it is just as easy to switch from a steel horse to a normal horse. For the first category there is a network of 1500 kilometres, for the riders among you even 1300 kilometres!
Fire to make things happen
We would not die of thirst on our journey through Limburg. Our first stop was an introduction to something we Belgians know and can do better than anyone else: a beer brewery! At Hertog Jan, they are appropriately proud that they are still a small-scale beer producer today, even though they belong to the Belgian-Brazilian giant AB Inbev. That you can link the advantages of large scale and funds to local craftsmanship is demonstrated here every day. Today, the brewery is still driven by the same enthusiasm as that of the four original founders. Here, they do not participate in mass production, but quality and innovation come first.
In addition to the better lagers, the brewery has also been experimenting with aging beer in barrels of whiskey, sherry and other goodies. The Grand Prestige is barrel aged in the flood cellars of the Meuse. In this climatologically perfect space, the specialty beer acquires its character and its beautiful infused flavours. Because of the small scale of the brewery, you have to drum up (online) funds to get your hands on a bottle of the new release. But once you have the winning lottery ticket, you are immediately rewarded with a spot for your personal bottle in the brewery’s cellar. Within 7 years you have to pick up your goodies in Arcen aan de Maas!
The Duke of Brabant, from whom the brewery derived its name, would be appropriately über proud.
You will find more information about the Hertog Jan Brewery here: https://brouwerij.hertogjan.nl/
Grain to Glass principle
We had only just recovered from our first Grand Prestige, when a new walkway of spirits crossed our path: The Kingfisher! In a beautiful water mill dating from 1677 that is still in working order, there is also a distillery. This small artisanal distillery prides itself on distilling according to the principle ‘grain to glass‘, which means that they obviously grind the grain themselves and then distil it all in house. It is also to the credit of the Kingfisher that they work with residual products which they then turn back into goodies. A fun and educational guided tour of the picturesque mill tells you all about the production process of genevers, gins, liqueurs and even whiskies. Cheers to the Ijsvogel.
More info on The Kingfisher:https://www.ijsvogel.com/
The convent and its pigs
Nicey hidden in the woods near the neighbourhood Liboscherveld, you will find not only peace and quiet, but also a Cistercian monastery. In this abbey, dating from 1912, silence is the general norm for the monks. If you get the chance to visit this miraculous site, you will really feel like being away from the world and you will soon understand what the life of the monks is like.
As peaceful and serene as life in the monastery, things are going on in the neighbouring farm. Not just any farm, but a project that is far removed from the mass breeding of pigs. Here, the pigs of Livar are bred according to natural principles. The animals choose how and where they stay, they have space and time to suckle their piglets and they get good nutritious food. Happy pigs make for tastier pork. We were able to experience this for ourselves later when we had a plate of delicious livar pigs at the brasserie ‘Echt Genieten’!
Website Lilbosch Monastery:http://www.abdij-lilbosch.nl/home/
Website Livar Monastery Pigs: https://www.livar.be/
Website lunch address ‘Echt Genieten’ in Echt: https://www.echt-genieten.nl/
Wild game with the farmer’s wife
Never thought we’d use food and sexuality in the same sentence, but in this case the “Wild Farmer’s Wife” Lynette has succeeded in her mission! Before you suspect us of any #metoo behaviour: she has appropriated her title entirely by herself. After a visit to her farm in the middle of the Limburg fields, you immediately understand why. Have you ever put your arm in a goddamn pumpkin and taken a foot bath in oat milk? We have in the meantime.
Would you like to go wild at the farm? Then surf to this website: https://www.dewildeboerin.nl/
4X Gastronomic Dutch Limburg
Who has been to Dutch Limburg sometimes has the feeling that one is still in our own country. Here you will find the friendly atmosphere of its Belgian namesake and they also know how to enjoy the good and tasty things of life. Whether it is a nice informal drink with some goodies on the shelf or the better culinary work: there is something for everyone. We have made a list of a few culinary hotspots that are well worth a visit. For the larger reviews of these restaurants, we refer you to the larger articles in our Purefood section.
1/ De Beejekurf in Venray:Who has never been to the lovely town of Venray should deliberately add this to their Limburg visit. An hour from Maastricht, just above Venlo, is this pearl on the Meuse. We visited restaurant De Beejekurf in Venray and immediately we can give you a second reason for a visit to Venray. The ‘Jeune Restaurateur d’Europe’ Mathijs Jacobs shakes a beautiful gastronomic menu out of his sleeve. Together with his creative partner, host and sommelier Hanneke Verstappen-Jacobs, they present a super tasty product kitchen. In addition, we were able to enjoy an exquisite beer pairing, provided by the people of Proeflokaal Goesting. If you would also like to experience this, just let the dynamic duo behind the Beejekurf know.
Website: https://www.debeejekurf.nl/
Address: Paterslaan 15, 5801 AS Venray, Netherlands
2/ One, Roermond. For anyone who wants to end a day of Roermond culinary, just one address. Nomen est omen: One. On the way to the premises, we fall from one surprise into another. Everyone has to cross a little bridge to get to the beautiful industrial premises. In this unique setting, chef Edwing Soumang cooks culinary delights. Here, local produce and next-level flavours go hand in hand. Rightly so, which has already been rewarded with 1 Michelin star and a top score of16/20 in Gault Millau.
Website:https://restaurantone.nl/
Address: ECI 17, 6041 MA Roermond, Netherlands
3/ L’Onglet, Maastricht. Who knows how to find this pearl of Maastricht will be rewarded with a wonderful food experience. During the day, at the Wykcer Brugstraat 27, one finds a delicious bone carving, at night it becomes a speakeasy restaurant. You have to ring the bell, but then friendly waiters will lead you to the hidden restaurant. And of course, the experience really becomes top-notch with the delicious gastronomic indulgence that is served here. Starring, you guessed it, ‘Meat‘!
Website: https://www.onglet.nl/
Address: Wycker Brugstraat 27, 6221 EB Maastricht, Netherlands
4/ Chateau St. Gerlach: Located in an imposing domain in Valkenburg, is the beautiful castle of St. Gerlach. Here you will be completely dropped off from the everyday routine and you will be immersed in a nice atmosphere. In one of the buildings of the castle you will find a beautiful restaurant. Lean back in one of the beautiful rooms and enjoy the gastronomic delights of the chef. Combine that with a lovely view of the castle garden, a crackling fire and the best glass of Limburg wine, and your worries are immediately forgotten! Delightful address!
Website: https://bit.ly/StGerlach
Address: Joseph Corneli Allee 1, 6301 KK Valkenburg, Netherlands
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