6 Best Breweries and Beer Tastings in Amsterdam
Scouting out the best beers in Amsterdam? The Dutch capital has an incredibly cool beer scene so if you’re visiting the city, make sure to sample some local brews at Amsterdam’s coolest beer spots and beer-making factories. From taprooms, independent craft breweries to contemporary microbreweries, Amsterdam has some of the best experiences for beer aficionados in western Europe. Want to check them out? Here are the best breweries and beer tastings in Amsterdam…
Brouwerij ’t IJ
One of our favourite beer spots in the city is Brouwerij ’t IJ. This modern brewery is located next to the De Gooyer windmill in Amsterdam Oost. This awesome place brews its own organic brews on-site and offers guided tours and tastings. Specializing in blonde and dark beers, Brouwerij ’t IJ is definitely one of the best beer tasting spots in the city - it also crafts seasonal beers along with its staple selection. Boasting a taproom on a large outdoor terrace, you can enjoy the full selection of beers on tap in the summer.
The 20 minute brewery tour is affordable for backpackers costing €6.50 per person which includes a beer of your choice.
Butcher’s Tears
Looking for an off-the-beaten-track beer spot? Butcher’s Tears is a small canal-side brewery and taproom in Amsterdam-Zuid that creates awesome hand-crafted beers. From pale ales, pilsners and APA’s, the tasting room here is a hotspot for locals. You can also get a look inside the brewery where all the magic happens. With good music and live bands, enjoy your beers with friends in a cool, rustic atmosphere. This is a real hidden gem in Amsterdam and a hip place for beer lovers to hang out.
Bierfabriek
This is one of our favourite places in Amsterdam for good food and beer. Bierfabriek is a brewery and restaurant in a contemporary, industrial space. When you’ve been shown to your table, look up and you’ll be able to see the exposed silver pipes on the ceiling. Bierfabriek brews its own beers in a crafty way right in the middle of the restaurant which makes the drinking experience even more fun.
Order the free range, charcoal grilled, chicken - the special from the menu. It’s so juicy and tender and complements the beer perfectly. You can draft the beer yourself from the private tap tables before tucking into your meat.
Brouwerij Troost
Brouwerij Troost has three awesome locations in Amsterdam and we’d recommend all three to beer lovers. The original brewery is situated in De Pijp inside a former monastery. This is the branch where they experiment and develop new or special edition beers.The second is located in Westergras and is a brewery, brewpub and shop in one (not only do they brew their own beer here, but also their own lemonade). Here, they brew bigger quantities of beers like Pilsner, Weizen, I.P.A. and Amber Ale. On the roof of the Westergras venue, they host live Jazz nights every Wednesday. The third location is in Oud West, the newest of the Brouwerij Troost family, also housing its own brewery where you can taste all the beers straight from the tap. Each location has its own brewpub.
Walhalla Craft Beer
If you like inventive, experimental brews, then make Walhalla your first stop in Amsterdam. This microbrewery and taproom “brews the gods’ favorite ales” in the North of Amsterdam - that’s its punchy slogan. The beer is always flowing here, the music is always pumping and there’s a good vibe whatever time of day. This place has a constantly changing beer selection on draft as well as cool bottled or canned brews. A favourite amongst Amsterdam locals, the beers here are good quality, thirst-quenching and unique! So if you’re looking to try some fragrant IPA’s, powerful barley wine or well rounded ales, this is your place.
Oedipus Brewing
Feeling thirsty? Oedipus Brewing only uses the freshest ingredients in its beers. Every Friday you can pop in to their ‘FreshBeerFriday’ event and make the most of €3 bottled beers in the tap room from 4pm - 8pm. Not in the city on a Friday? No worries, head over any time for beer tastings, beer dinners and beer tours. You can also visit the tap room every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the beers on draft and make the most of 14 rotating taps. You’ll also get to see the brewery. There’s always some live music going on in the tap room so it’s a super cool experience.
Article by Shereen Sagoo
