No drink is more traditional to seafaring Sneek than beerenburg, a local herb-infused gin originally drunk by sailors to warm their cockles at sea and stave off illness. Since 1864 it has been distilled at Weduwe Joustra, an enchanting vintage liquor shop run by the fifth generation with a museum and tasting room up top and a distillery out back.
A secret mix of herbs – including bay leaves, juniper berries, thistle, gentian root, sandalwood, sweet carrot root and orange peel – are thrown into huge vats with jenever (Dutch gin) and left to macerate for a minimum of four weeks to produce the aromatic spirit, with a not-to-be-scoffed-at alcoholic strength of 32%. The shop also sells ceramic bottles of Beerenburg FS and Beerenburg FSOB, both with a fiery 38% alcoholic content and aged for three and five years respectively in oak barrels to create the perfect after-dinner Frisian digestive.
Call ahead to reserve a one-hour guided tour (adult/child €5/free), with tastings.