While dark beers and milds may not be widely available in the Netherlands, a group of drinkers were keen to explore the category following a visit to the Great British Beer Festival and sampling some of the UK’s best.

Dutch brewers, beer judges and home brewers came together at a unique tasting event which focused on Harvey’s Mild. Part of the event was to give feedback and to discuss whether it was something that could be introduced more widely. 

Taking part were brewer Edwin de Redelijkheid, beer judge and home brewer Gery Uijtenhaak, home brewer Ben Uijtenhaak, beer marketing specialist Peter Mulville representing CAMRA and beer and sake specialist Saki Matsuda-Mulville (pictured at the 2023 Great British Beer Festival).  

At three per cent ABV, Harvey’s Mild is a very different proposition to the dark beers brewed, produced and consumed in the Netherlands, which tend to be much stronger. 

In production since 1947, Harvey’s Mild is described as having: “A lustrous mahogany appearance and roasted malt character, it offers a fusion of nutty sweetness and subtle hop bitterness. It is soft and slightly sweet, malty and mellow. It is refreshing, hydrating and comforting.” 

Following the session, Mulville said: “The event was an overall success, and it was really interesting to see the reactions of a range of brewers and judges to the mild. We found it to be an easy-going session beer with a lot of flavour packed in. 

“We are used to much stronger ABVs in dark beers, yet the feedback on how much flavour was packed into a low ABV beer was very positive. It also allowed us to have a really good discussion on whether this is something we could introduce. Along with the challenges we may face to make it viable, and how a different approach would be required to introduce it in the Netherlands and change the hearts and minds of people who are traditionally used to seeing a much stronger ABV in this category.”  

Tasters reported that the mild developed as you drank it and found it to be: “Clean, wheaty, chocolatey, creamy and malty.” However, they also found it “lacked body” and with no carbonation, which gives Dutch beer body and stronger taste. It was a very different proposition to what they were used to. 

However, there were concerns whether it could find an audience, but judges thought it could be easy to adapt if consumers found it similar to (Dutch/German) herfstbok (autumn bock) and felt it had a close taste to Belgian dubbel – nutty with dried fruits taste. 

Judges added “it is daring to ask the Dutch to drink a dark beer with low ABV; the Dutch think dark beers are higher in ABV” and it is “hard to get Dutch go for a beer with less than 4 per cent but I like it!", while one said “for the Dutch beer lovers: I think that they can appreciate it”. 

Mulville added: “One discussion point was about the possibility of introducing mild to the Netherland’s beer enthusiasts and professionals during Dutch Beer Week (weekvanhetnederlandsebier.nl). This aims to put Dutch beer under the spotlight, while promoting its beer culture. 

“We also explored whether mild could be introduced to Dutch drinkers via home brewers, professional brewers, potentially as a category, and work with the European Beer Consumers Union. 

“However, the event was a very informative evening, and it was interesting to see how mild is produced in the UK and is very different to dark beers in the Netherlands. I look forward to seeing how we explore this area further.”  

If your local pubs, social clubs or brewery taprooms are hosting any mild beer events, you can upload them to CAMRA's events platform here: https://events.camra.org.uk/