Thomas de Bruin, Maximiliaan Schmidt, and Philip van de Koolwijk (left to right) raise a glass in anticipation. Photo: Roelof Kleis Initiators Philip van de Koolwijk and Maximiliaan Schmidt explain that they more or less got the idea during a practical course. They share a passion for beer: not just the consumption, but also the brewing. The seeds of a project were sown. The idea then gained momentum through a third partner-in-crime, Thomas de Bruin.
‘He told us about De Bunker’s plans to start a project in which students organise something together and with Wageningen residents to strengthen the bond between students and the city.’ Max Elbers of the board of De Bunker was quickly enthusiastic about a collaboration. There are few activities in De Bunker at the moment as a result of the coronavirus.
We still need a recipe that we will then have to test, we need to design a label, and we need to advertise
Philip van de Koolwijk, Bunkerbier initiator
So now there is an idea, a little money from the NPO Kickstart fund at WUR, and there is a brewery. ‘The Stadsbrouwerij (city brewery) is very enthusiastic about our project,’ says Van de Koolwijk. They also have an obvious name for the new beer: Bunkerbier (bunker beer). At least a thousand litres will be brewed, some in kegs, and some in bottles of 75 cl.
Light or Dark?
But that does not make it a beer yet. ‘Will it be a wit or an IPA, light or heavy, light or dark, sweet or… — It could still go any way,’ says Van de Koolwijk. ‘First we are looking for a dozen students who want to participate. We still need a recipe that we then have to test, we need to design a label, and we need to advertise.’
We’re aiming to break even
Philip van de Koolwijk, Bunkerbier initiator
We had hoped to organise a beer fest in de Bunker in the spring — when the beer will be ready — but that now seems unlikely due to the coronavirus. Van de Koolwijk: ‘This is why we now hope to at least make the beer available in De Bunker, Rad van Wageningen, and possibly through some other channels.’
Van de Koolwijk says that they won’t get rich doing it. It is also not the objective. ‘We’re aiming to break even.’ And who knows, maybe they’ll get a taste for it that will result in a continuation.
Please contact Craftbeer@bunkerwageningen.nl if you want to participate in the project.
