V11 Sets Sail Into Brewing
Vessel 11 has always been a place of discovery, whether through music, food, or the warm embrace of a pint shared among friends. Now, we’re taking that spirit one step further. We’re setting off on a new adventure, expanding into craft beer with our very own floating brewery, housed on a custom-built pontoon right next to the ship.
The V11 Brewery celebrates the weird, wonderful, and sometimes unstable world we are living in. A refuge for freethinkers to celebrate the niche and liberate the ugly truth of uncertainty. Weird and wonderful, forever explorative, and balancing on the equilibrium of opposites.
Served above, brewed below
10.02.2025Brewing, to us, is more than a process; it’s an exploration, a blend of tradition and uncharted creativity. The idea for our brewery was sparked in uncertain times. During COVID, as the world shifted, we realised how fragile our industry could be. We wanted to build something lasting, something that could weather any storm. When Steffelaar Brewery—our partner in brewing our original homebrews—closed its doors, we saw an opportunity. We reclaimed the tanks, brought brewing closer to home—literally—and set out to create something that could be an extension of everything we love about V11.
This isn’t just about making beer. It’s about deepening the experience of Vessel 11, enhancing the pub, the restaurant, the music, and the community we’ve built.
The Beers: A Blend of Tradition and Exploration
At the heart of our brewing journey is Tobias Grebhan, our head brewer. With a family history in brewing, his father being the master brewer at Becks in Germany, Tobias brings a deep knowledge of the craft and a love for experimentation. His beers are built to feel at home in our British-style pub while still carrying their own unique character.
Our first brews will be a British-style Red Ale, a tribute to our ship’s red hull and UK heritage, and a Hazy IPA, a modern, juicy take on a classic favourite. These are just the beginning, soon, seasonal and experimental brews will make their way into the mix, shaped by our creativity and the people who drink them.
The Challenges of Brewing on Water
Building a brewery on a floating pontoon is a challenge unlike any other. Everything shifts, the weight, the power supply, the very foundation beneath us. We had to rethink brewing from the ground up. “The pontoon moves with the water,” says Jan Visser, V11’s founder, “so we had to design everything to work in harmony with that movement.”
Transitioning from gas-powered brewing to electric added another layer of complexity, slowing the process but pushing us to think more sustainably. We’re still putting the final touches on the pontoon, but Tobias has already started brewing our first beers in guest tanks at Reijngoud, ensuring we’ll be ready to pour very soon!
Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Community
This brewery isn’t just about us, it’s about everyone who believes in independent craft beer and the spirit of collaboration. We’re starting small, with just one brewer, so we’re already working with Reijngoud Brewpub for manpower and equipment. We love to join forces with the Rotterdam brewing community, sharing knowledge, ideas, and maybe even a few brews along the way.
For now, our focus is on our home, and on making great beer for the people who walk through our doors. But soon, we hope to bring our beers to bars across Rotterdam, and maybe even to local supermarkets. We don’t know exactly where this journey will take us, but that’s part of the adventure.
Coming Soon: The First Pour
Next week, we’ll pour our very first pints, and we can’t wait to share them with you! The first brew is a Hazy IPA, a citrusy and tropical sip of a sunny spring day. Easy going with just a hint of bitterness. We hope you’ll join us onboard, raise a glass, and be part of the story as it unfolds.
Stay tuned for updates, tasting events, and the official launch of V11 Brewery. Here’s to the unknown, to tradition, and to the bold adventure ahead.
Served above, brewed below.
Brewpub V11