The digital beer sommelier at IJver attracts attention
A beautiful, more than 100-year-old shipbuilding warehouse at Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf, with a hospitality permit. How great is that? From the moment entrepreneurs Reinout Ezinga and Sikko de Jong heard about the opportunity to start a business in the monumental building, they were sold. In August 2019, beer and food restaurant IJver opened its doors, and it has received nothing but praise from the start. And the impressive fridge wall with its “digital beer sommelier” immediately catches the eye.
IJver-ig
Warm, intimate, and atmospheric. That was the starting point in the design of IJver. A place where you can go at any time of the day. Where it always feels comfortable and cozy, whether you come for breakfast, coffee with a treat, lunch, drinks, a (business) dinner, a party, or a meeting. “A considerable challenge for a venue of this size,” says Tim Jongens, who is co-owner of IJver alongside Reinout, Sikko, and Arne Kleijn. But we can only conclude that it has been an enormous success! The typography used in the logo was found on site and was actually used in the past. The name IJver is also a reference to the hard and diligent (Dutch: ijverig) work that has been going on in the warehouse for 100 years. And of course, the venue is located right near the IJ.
Atmospheric mix of old and new
The monumental building itself was, of course, not to be altered much. That’s why a completely new structure was built inside the shipyard hall. Once the plans became concrete, the team began collecting special elements for the interior. It became a mix of industrial elements, vintage furniture such as wooden slat benches from an old Polish train station, bright colors, authentic lamps, and large plants.
With different spaces and cozy corners where you can chat quietly, work comfortably, celebrate a birthday, or hold a business meeting, anything is possible. And the beauty of a “building within a building” is that in addition to the outdoor terrace of no less than 250 m², they were also able to create an indoor terrace of 100 m². “So you can sit on the terrace with us all year round, dry and heated. Lovely!”
Digital beer sommelier
With no fewer than 32 taps, tap tables, and fridges full of special beers and dishes where beer plays a starring role, IJver is truly a paradise for beer lovers. “What’s special is that guests can choose and pay for their beer themselves at the self-order kiosk and then pick it up from the fridge. The fridge wall and order kiosk really attract attention and lower the barrier to trying something new. Through the display and a specially developed question funnel on the ordering website, the system zooms in on your taste preferences and recommends which beer you should try from the more than 100 options. You pay contactlessly with your card and pick your beers from the fridge yourself. This ‘grab-your-own-beer’ concept fits well with the free-spirited vibe of the neighborhood at the NDSM wharf.”
Enthusiastic reactions
The reactions to the unique beer order kiosk have been enthusiastic. People really enjoy trying the kiosk. For the true beer geeks who want even more, the black book is brought to the table. It contains beers with different flavor profiles and price ranges, for example beers that have been barrel-aged for two years and should be enjoyed with respect. But don’t think we only cater to beer lovers! We have also carefully selected delicious wines for wine drinkers. They pair perfectly with, for example, a rooster stewed in Weizenbier,” Jongens concludes with a laugh.
