The brew pub’s first brush with royalty occurred one night in 1847 when the Dutch King, Willem II, happened to be in Tilburg. Strictly incognito, he joined other revellers in a night of spirited drinking. A few days later, to the rousing sound of a post horn, a letter arrived at the inn. It was from the King to thank the brewery and its host for the fine beer and pleasant evening.

Around 1892, the Post Horn brewery built special ice-, beer- and yeast-cellars which meant it was able to cool its beer during fermentation all year round. In winter, local farmers would hack ice from the surrounding fields and bring it in carts to the brewery gates for unloading. It took between 800 and 1000 full carts to fill the cellars and, in this way, beer production became non-stop.

The company expanded further in 1895 with a whole new brewery building, complete with kettle room, engine room and new-fangled steam engine. That year marked another royal milestone for the Post Horn. The Dutch queen, Emma, appointed it as a royal warrant holder making it the preferred beer supplier of the royal household.

Not long after its royal approval, the brewery looked to new markets beyond Holland’s borders. The UK was the first of many export destinations it would conquer. To emphasize its origins and royal connections, the brand name was changed at this time to ‘Royal Dutch Post Horn’. It was even recognized with an export award by the British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984.

Today, Royal Dutch Post Horn beers are enjoyed in over 70 markets throughout the world. People everywhere love the story of how a craft beer could become a global icon. Just as the first customers enjoyed a refreshing glass together over 200 years ago, Royal Dutch has remained true to its brewpub roots right up to the present day. Crafting beers that are, quite literally, fit for a king.