De Graanrepubliek is a cooperative of farmers, entrepreneurs and makers in East Groningen. The cooperative focuses on improving the food system, the biodiversity of the landscape and they contribute to employment in the region.
At Hooghoudt taste is of paramount importance, now for five generations. Day in, day out, we experiment to our heart's content with flavours, colors and scents from nature. Moreover, we are Hooghoudt- heart of beautiful Groningen; a region that we would like to support as broadly as possible and want to make proud again. So when the first talks started about initiating De Graanrepubliek: A cooperative of farmers, entrepreneurs and makers in East Groningen, which would not only raise the taste of regional products to a new level, but also enhance the biodiversity of the landscape, improve the food system and contribute to employment in the region, we were at Hooghoudt quickly excited. The cooperative then bought together with the family Hooghoudt and the farming family Waalkens from Finsterwolde the monumental building in which the visitor center of De Graanrepubliek is located. That makes Hooghoudt not only part of the cooperative, but also one of the drivers of the new movement. From the outside this may seem like a risk, but to us it feels natural. Because in addition to the fact that as a family business we like to commit ourselves to innovative, tasty drinks, we as a company have also been involved since the beginning in creating employment in the Oldambt area, improving the quality of life and the economic strengthening of the province of Groningen.
The official opening of the cooperative's visitor center took place on 18 March. In our new distillery you will become acquainted with the history of jenever, the history of the family distillery and you will learn all about the processes to make the most tasteful jenever. In addition, you can expand the Experience with a Hooghoudt tasting, cocktail workshop or 'Make your own' session in which you will make your own jenever.
Click here to book a tour.
