Jenevermuseum

The Jenevermuseum in Hasselt is one of Flanders' most distinctive museums — a working jenever distillery (the historic ancestor of modern gin), set right in the heart of the city inside a former genever distillery complex. The site's history stretches back further than the drink itself: before it became a distillery in 1803, the buildings served as a monastery farm belonging to the Penitent Sisters of Unity. After the French authorities seized the sisters' property, it was sold to the Bamps family, who set up jenever production there — a business that ran continuously until 1971.

How did the museum come to be?

The complex nearly disappeared entirely. Once the distillery closed, the buildings were at risk of demolition, but in 1975 the site was recognised as the country's first industrial-archaeological monument, saving it from destruction. The city purchased the property in 1979, and a thorough restoration took place between 1983 and 1987. The National Jenever Museum officially opened its doors on 16 September 1987.

What can visitors see inside?

Tickets are bought at the reception, housed in the distillery's former ox house. The first part of the visit leads through the distillation and mill rooms, the malting tower and the germination loft — the working core of the old production site. The second part takes place across four rooms of a house built in 1829, where exhibits and interactive displays trace the history of jenever production and consumption in Belgium, covering ingredients, the brewing process, marketing and distribution, and the drink's broader influence on Belgian society.

What makes this museum stand out?

The undisputed highlight is the 19th-century distillation installation from the Servais distillery — the only fully operational, steam-powered jenever distillation setup remaining in Belgium and the Netherlands. This beautifully restored installation isn't just a static exhibit: it still produces roughly 1,000 bottles of jenever every year, making the museum a genuinely working site rather than a museum piece frozen in time.

Can you taste jenever during the visit?

Yes — the visit ends with a tasting, and the museum's café offers a free shot of the "jenever of the week." It also doubles as one of the best places in the country to buy a bottle, given its extensive jenever selection. Visitors are advised to set aside 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the exhibition, engage with the interactive modules, and enjoy the tasting.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Jenevermuseum located? In the centre of Hasselt, in the Flemish province of Limburg, inside the buildings of a former distillery.

What exactly is jenever? A traditional Belgian-Dutch grain spirit, widely regarded as the historical ancestor of modern gin.

How long does a visit take? Typically 1.5 to 2 hours, covering the distillation hall, the historical exhibition, and the tasting.

Does the historic distillation equipment still work? Yes — the 19th-century installation from the Servais distillery is fully operational and still produces jenever, around 1,000 bottles a year.

How long did the site operate as a working distillery before becoming a museum? Continuously from 1803 to 1971; before that, the buildings housed a monastery farm.