The explosion of over 100 tons of fireworks, one Saturday afternoon in the middle of Enschede, the Netherlands, almost destroyed the Grolsch brewery completely. Mr. Troch, the Belgian General Manager of the brewery, was grateful that nobody was working in the brewery at the time of the explosion, since many would have died.

Unknown to most people living in the area, a huge bunker like warehouse full of fireworks sat since decades in the middle of town. Police suspects arson. Saturday May 13, the whole bunker exploded and wiped out the neighborhood killing a number of people. The city block was simply leveled to the ground. Up to 10 miles around the warehouse, pieces of concrete and rubble rained down, piercing through roofs and ceilings like firebombs.

The Grolsch brewery is located one block from the fireworks warehouse, and was bombarded by flaming rubble. The damage runs into the millions of dollars. It will take months before the brewery can be rebuild and put back in operation. During this rebuilding time, Heineken and Interbrew will help out and brew the Grolsch beer. You should not taste any difference.
Newsletter June 2000