Beer and Cheese; a Gouda Combination?
Who says Gouda, says Cheese! But it hasn't always been that way. In the Middle Ages, Gouda was known for a completely different product namely Beer.
A piece of history
In the late 14th century, Gouda was known for Gouds Kuyt beer. Because Gouda is situated on the tidal river Hollandsche IJssel, the city was able to scour its canals, as it is called.
As a result, there was reasonably clean water and good beer could be brewed. It became healthier than water, or so everyone drank beer.
Gouda Kuyt became so popular that it was eventually called just beer! At its peak, there were more than 200 breweries in Gouda and more than 15 million litres of beer were brewed every year!
Due to the 80-year war (1568-1648), Gouda beer could no longer be exported and the breweries disappeared.
Time for cheese!
From 1500 onwards, it became increasingly clear that cheese from the Gouda area was traded in this town. Schoonhoven also wanted the Cheese to be traded there, but the court ruled in 1540 that Gouda got the trading rights.
Due to its long shelf life and exquisite taste, the cheese became increasingly popular and went abroad.
Well, the rest of the history is known........everyone (or at least almost everyone) knows Gouda Cheese!
Gouda Beer
But Gouda beer is also becoming increasingly popular again. Meanwhile, Gouds kuyt is being brewed again, as well as Gouds Blond, Gouds Trippel, etc.
This is partly due to the national trend in the growth of speciality beers.
And why shouldn't The Gouda Cheese Experience combine these top products?
The perfect taste sensation
For many, the combination of beer and cheese is the perfect taste sensation.
So Gouda Cheese and Gouda Beer go very well together. Are you getting the hang of it? Come and give it a try at the Gouda Cheese Experience store or ask about the possibilities.
