Grolsch wants to help customers (particularly sports clubs, student associations and events) to adopt a healthier alcohol policy. That is why we started organising face-to-face Responsible Alcohol (Dutch: Instructie Verantwoord Alcohol (IVA)) training sessions for bar volunteers. The first training session was given to bar volunteers and board members of football club STEVO and sports hall De Ransuil in Geesteren on Wednesday, 11 December 2019. This session was also attended by Geesteren’s Mayor Haverkamp-Wenker and Alderman Berning-Everlo.

During the Grolsch Open Brewery days in May 2019, visitors were given the chance to experience first-hand what it is like to participate in traffic under the influence of alcohol. Visitors took to a track in our so-called Alco-kart, which responded similarly to a car being driven by a drunk driver. Future and experienced drivers alike were given the chance to safely experience that alcohol and traffic do not mix well. This was a collaborative effort by Rijden Zonder Invloed and Grolsch. A great example of a partnership to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

At Grolsch we find it important to promote responsible alcohol use, which is why we are actively committed to reducing alcohol abuse. In collaboration with Rijden Zonder Invloed (Non-drink-driving), we developed a new face-to-face training for bar volunteers in the Netherlands, who run bar services at, among others, associations and events. In this training, in which theory is alternated with practical cases, participants learn how to deal with (difficult) situations regarding responsible alcohol behaviour. Consider, for example, how you can best reject alcohol to under aged people and how to prevent people from drinking alcohol while you know they still have to drive. At the end, a test is taken after which the participants receive certificates. We actively offer this training to all our customers with a focus on sports and student associations and events throughout the Netherlands in order to stimulate responsible alcohol behaviour.

Watch the video about the new face-to-face training Instructie Verantwoord Alcoholschenken here.

Naturally, we also pay a lot of attention to responsible alcohol consumption within the company, as we have an important role to play: providing accurate, considered information about responsible alcohol consumption and making sure that, as Grolsch employees, we take our responsibility during work and in our free time. Our employee guidelines can be found in our alcohol policy. All our employees follow these guidelines. In our Beer Ambassador Programme, a basic programme about beer, the brewing process, our brands and our company, all employees are also told about Grolsch’s vision on responsible alcohol consumption.

In the Netherlands, it is estimated that over 500 children are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) every year, resulting from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Grolsch supports the FAS project in order to continue to increase awareness of FAS in the Netherlands. We want to communicate clearly that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is an irresponsible choice. In 2019, we made a financial contribution to optimising the website and other digital resources for the FAS project, as well as developing interactive infographics to support presentations and exhibitions about FAS.

In December 2018, pupils of the Van der Waalslaan location of Enschede’s Bonhoeffer College were invited to the Grolsch Reception Centre to experience first hand what it is like to participate in traffic under the influence of alcohol, among other things. Not in reality, of course, but virtually. The future and starting drivers could use a 3D-tripping simulator to safely experience that alcohol and traffic are not a good match. A great example of a cooperative effort to promote responsible alcohol consumption. Grolsch facilitated the event, supporting the Rijden zonder Invloed campaign.

More info: Press release and video for Rijden zonder Invloed.

In cooperation with the ‘Rijden Zonder Invloed’ Campaign, and Military Boekelo – Enschede, we organised another Alcohol & Traffic awareness activity at the Military in October 2019. In a 3D driving simulator, visitors could experience what it is like to drive a car after having had too much to drink. Invited guests could also park their car in a special BOB car park for designated drivers equipped with an alcohol barrier. After the event, the designated driver took a breath test to prove that they had not had any alcohol. If they passed the test, the alcohol barrier would be opened. We also launched our new Grolsch Herstbier 0.0% at the Military, which was available at all catering outlets on the site.