Proost! Sampling beer in Amsterdam
Our neighbours in Belgium get most of the credit, but did you know that the Netherlands is also a haven for finely-crafted local beers? From rich tripels and fruity white beers to dark brown bocks and thirst-quenching pilsners, you’ll find plenty of tasty brews to sample in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam-based breweries
Beer lovers will be delighted to discover the range of delicious beverages brewed right here in Amsterdam. Housed in a former bathhouse at the foot of a windmill, Brouwerij 't IJ offers a selection of delicious organic beers brewed on site. De Prael brewery is located in a historical building downtown. Besides beer, they cook up Dutch specialties for lunch and dinner. De 7 Deugden is Amsterdam’s newest microbrewery. They offer a variety of activities for groups, from beer and cheese tasting to brewing your own custom beer (email info@de7deugden.nl for details). De Bekeerde Suster (Kloveniersburgwal 6-8) is a spacious bar and restaurant that brews their own beer. Bierfabriek (Rokin 75) is the latest addition to Amsterdam's brew pub scene, offering two beers brewed on location, plus special tables for groups with built-in taps. All of the breweries offer tours on request.
Besides microbreweries, Amsterdam is home to the most famous Dutch beer brand: Heineken. While the bulk of the brewing no longer takes place in the city, the Heineken Experience is a “must see” for many visitors, offering fun interactive displays and of course a couple of glasses to taste.
Tasting the best Dutch beers
If you don’t manage to visit a brewery, be sure to stop by ‘t Arendsnest for a thorough introduction to Dutch beer. This atmospheric pub on the Herengracht offers a wide variety of beers from regional Dutch brewers, and the knowledgeable staff is more than happy to offer recommendations. They also organise beer tastings for groups of eight or more. De Beiaard (Heinekenplein 5-8 or Spui 30) also offers a wide selection of Dutch beers, including those brewed at De Bekeerde Suster, which is run by the same owner.
Bokbier Festival
Every October, the Bokbier (bock beer) Festival comes to Amsterdam! Beer-loving hordes convene at the Beurs van Berlage to sample the Netherland's tastiest beers. Specific information about the 2012 festival (included dates and entry fees) will be available closer to October.
Exploring international brews
After you’ve finished sampling Dutch beer, expand your horizons and explore the amazing international beers available in Amsterdam. As you might imagine, Belgian beer is well represented. De Zotte (Raamstraat 29) has 130 different Belgian beers on offer, plus delicious cheeses and hearty Belgian dinners. Gollem's Proeflokaal (Overtoom 160) and Café Belgique (Gravenstraat 2) are also great locations to taste Belgian beers. In de Wildeman has a carefully curated selection of international beers, while the Beer Temple (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250) focuses exclusively on small-batch American brews.
Grab a few to go
After tasting your way across the city, you might find a few new favourites! Grab a couple of bottles to take home at the Bierkoning, an absolute heaven for beer connoisseurs. They have an impressive selection from the Netherlands, Belgium and further afield, as well as a variety of branded beer glasses for an extra special souvenir. De Gekraakte Ketel is another charming location, with more than 300 different beers plus local liqueurs and genevers crammed into their tiny shop.
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