Drinking Culture

In Schiedam, Genever is traditionally not drunk from a cocktail glass. It's drunk ice-cold and neat, from a small, tulip-shaped glass filled to the very brim. Order one, and you'll often find the glass already sitting on a saucer, so nothing spills. For the first sip, you lean over the bar rather than lifting the glass first.

A "Kopstootje," a little head-butt, is the classic combination. It consists of a small glass of Genever paired with a small beer. The two are drunk separately, never mixed, with the Genever usually going first. This ritual has been part of everyday life in pubs along the canals since the 19th century. It's still served this way in many of Schiedam's cafés today.

Proeflokalen, small tasting rooms located right at the distilleries, are also part of the city. There, buyers could once compare different barrels directly before purchasing a bottle. The Nationaal Jenevermuseum recreates this practice for visitors to this day, offering samples of young and old Genever side by side.

Cocktails play a smaller role in Schiedam than in many other gin regions. Slowly, though, they're gaining ground here too, for instance in bars that use Genever as a base for long drinks. The bold grain flavor calls for restrained partners so it doesn't get lost, unlike with more neutral gin styles.

This tradition has also held on at the Lange Haven, right by the Nationaal Jenevermuseum. Visitors can experience in a reconstructed pub how a Kopstootje was once served, complete with pewter cups and heavy wooden tables. For many people in Schiedam, this small round at the bar remains a fixed part of unwinding after work.