Cause of illnesses during Grolsch brewery tour still unclear: 'Terrible'

Eleven people, including nine tour participants and two staff members, fell ill after tasting water during a tour at the Grolsch brewery in Enschede on Saturday. The affected individuals experienced symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, requiring hospital treatment and a significant emergency response involving several ambulances. While local reports suggested exposure to sodium hydroxide might be responsible, neither the police nor Grolsch have confirmed an official cause yet.

Both the brewery and local authorities have initiated a formal investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. A Grolsch spokesperson expressed deep regret regarding the situation and has maintained regular contact with those impacted. Although the brewery canceled scheduled tours for the remainder of the evening, operations at the facility remain unaffected. The company clarified that the specific water line accessed by the visitors is entirely separate from the main industrial brewing process, ensuring that the safety of the wider beer production remains intact.