While Amsterdam is known for “Coffee Shops”, it often overshadows the fantastic selection of craft beers that cannot be found anywhere in the United States. And no, we’re not talking about Heineken, although the tour was quite impressive!
Covering everything from creative young local breweries to established tasting houses and well-stocked craft beer bars, Amsterdam’s craft and speciality beer game is strong. Here are 10 hops-y highlights from Amsterdam’s heady beer scene plus an extra pit stop in Haarlem.
Brouwerij Troost
Now with four locations in Amsterdam, Brouwerij Troost has proven to be a popular haunt for beer loving folk in Amsterdam. Quickly exceeding capacity at their first location in former monastery in De Pijp, Troost opened a second location at a hip parkside hangout in the Westergasfabriek, a third in the east specialising in barrel-aged beer and spirits and a fourth in the west where everything they make can be sampled. Whether it’s a refreshing pilsner, a replenishing jenever or a homemade lemonade you’re after, you’ll find it at Troost. Want to know more about brewing? Why not take a guided tour to see where the brewing magic takes place, and get to sample a few too? Compliment your hop-infused palette with tasty comfort food including flamkukken and burgers. Brouwerij Troost, various locations. More info…
REVIEWS:
Read zehill A.‘s review of Brouwerij Troost de Pijp on Yelp
Read Rachel J.‘s review of Brouwerij Troost de Pijp on Yelp
Read Vickie Y.‘s review of Brouwerij Troost de Pijp on Yelp
Read Alyse H.‘s review of Brouwerij Troost de Pijp on Yelp
Craft & Draft
Another of Amsterdam’s speciality beer venues can be found on Overtoom in the Oud-West district, just on the edge of Vondelpark. Inside, the simple, modern décor allows nothing to detract from the beer itself, and the first thing you’ll notice are 40 gleaming beer taps lining the wall behind the wooden bar. The international beer selection changes weekly so there’s always something new to sample – and the knowledgeable bar staff are always more than happy to offer some recommendations if the choice gets all too much. Did we mention there are 100+ bottled beers on offer and there’s a small shop for take-outs? Stop by Craft & Draft in Amsterdam’s Oud-West. More info…
REVIEWS:
Read Eva K.‘s review of Craft & Draft on Yelp
Read Roger L.‘s review of Craft & Draft on Yelp
Read Kim P.‘s review of Craft & Draft on Yelp
Read Jenny C.‘s review of Craft & Draft on Yelp
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Perhaps Amsterdam’s most famous independent brewery due to its iconic location underneath the city’s tallest windmill, Brouwerij ‘t IJ is an essential stop-off on any beer tour of the Dutch Capital. You’ll see Brouwerij ‘t IJ beers served in any self-respecting pub in Amsterdam (Zatte and Natte being the staple triple and double flagship brews), but the best place to try them is at the brewery itself. In the summer a large terrace spills beery folk outdoors, while the inside exudes rustic cosiness, with private tasting sessions and tours on offer for those who wish to develop their beer knowledge further. Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Amsterdam Oost More info…
REVIEWS:
Read Amanda J.‘s review of Brouwerij ‘t IJ on Yelp
Read Scott T.‘s review of Brouwerij ‘t IJ on Yelp
Read Sarah H.‘s review of Brouwerij ‘t IJ on Yelp
Read Heather B.‘s review of Brouwerij ‘t IJ on Yelp
Delirium Café
Following in the footsteps of the famous Delirium Café Brussels, this pink elephant outpost offers the perfect spot to sample a range of beers from the Belgian Huyghe brewery, and more than 720 varieties from around the world. The large bar and restaurant is tucked away under an overpass on the waterfront, with a long terrace enjoying optimal views and summer vibes whilst being sheltered from the elements in colder months. There’s also a large restaurant offering tasty food to soak up all that beer. Delirium Cafe, Amsterdam Centrum More info…
REVIEWS:
Read B H.‘s review of Delirium Café Amsterdam on Yelp
Read Lizzie D.‘s review of Delirium Café Amsterdam on Yelp
Read Janet N.‘s review of Delirium Café Amsterdam on Yelp
Read Ken O.‘s review of Delirium Café Amsterdam on Yelp
Oedipus Brewery taproom
Started up by four friends who share a thing for beer, this colourful craft brewery based in Amsterdam Noord now produces a creative ‘complex’ of beers ranging from the easy drinking ‘Mama’ pale ale, to thai-spiced Tripels and the aptly named 9.5% proof ‘Ring your Mother’. You’ll see their colourfully bottled brews in many speciality beer bars in Amsterdam, or for the full Oedipus experience head straight to their recently opened taproom to sample a range of Oedibrew on tap. Oedipus Brewery taproom, Amsterdam Noord More info…
REVIEWS:
Read Hank C.‘s review of Oedipus Brewing on Yelp
Read Xia V.‘s review of Oedipus Brewing on Yelp
Read Jessica L.‘s review of Oedipus Brewing on Yelp
Read Michael B.‘s review of Oedipus Brewing on Yelp
De Prael
It’s all about history for De Prael, one of Amsterdam’s best located breweries sitting bang in the centre of the city’s oldest areas. De Prael’s brewing process steps back in time selecting and grinding their own grains and malts without any filtering or pasteurizing, just straight-up classic beers without flavouring. With three locations in Amsterdam, and a menu that’ll have you wanting seconds, this is a one hop stop you won’t want to miss. If that hasn’t whet your appetite, maybe a guided brewery tour followed by a boat tour sampling their brews will. Proof that it’s all about beer and people when it comes to De Prael. Brewery de Prael, Amsterdam Centrum. More info…
REVIEWS:
Read Rod S.‘s review of Brouwerij De Prael on Yelp
Read Taylor G.‘s review of Brouwerij De Prael on Yelp
Read Ann D.‘s review of Brouwerij De Prael on Yelp
Read Alexandria P.‘s review of Brouwerij De Prael on Yelp
Beer Temple
A leading light of Amsterdam’s speciality beer brigade since 2009, this city centre beer mecca attracts beer loving visitors from far and wide to worship at its taps. There are around 30 beers on draft and over 100 bottled varieties, with a strong focus on American craft beers and ales sourced from US microbreweries. That said, the bar’s Dutch brewed house beer Tembelbier is worth a try if you’re looking for more local flavour from your hops. Beer Temple, Amsterdam Centrum
REVIEWS:
Read Christina L.‘s review of Beer Temple on Yelp
Read Aleksandr F.‘s review of Beer Temple on Yelp
Read Kenny C.‘s review of Beer Temple on Yelp
Read Colt V.‘s review of Beer Temple on Yelp
In de Wildeman
Housed in a former distillery that dates from 1690, this authentic venue has retained its olde worlde charm and now operates as one of Amsterdam’s best beer bars, with more than 200 bottled beers and around 18 on tap. The selection changes regularly, with a focus on Belgian Trappist ales and local Dutch breweries. Don’t miss the amusing ‘wildeman’ gable stone at the building’s rear on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 45, from which the bar took its name. Bierproeflokaal In de Wildeman, Amsterdam Centrum More info…
REVIEWS:
Read Chun P.‘s review of Bierproeflokaal in de Wildeman on Yelp
Read Wayne W.‘s review of Bierproeflokaal in de Wildeman on Yelp
Butcher’s Tears
This small, independent (and rather hip) brewery has marked its place on the Amsterdam beer trail after setting up shop in an industrial canal-side space in Amsterdam Zuid, not far from the Olympic Stadium. Every evening except Monday and Tuesday, the tasting room doors are flung open from 16:00 to 21:00, allowing beer aficionados the chance to sample a regularly rotating range of beers with zany namesincluding ‘Lipreader’, ‘Ditchwitch’ and ‘The Flying Bed’. The brewery also hosts regular gigs and events – check their website for details. Butcher’s Tears, Amsterdam Zuid More info…
REVIEWS:
Jopenkerk
In just 20 minutes by train you can be in Haarlem, North Holland’s capital and home of the Jopen brewery. Located in the centre of town and in a former church, Jopen is a modern brewery, café and restaurant reinvigorating the city’s beer brewing traditions. Open for lunch and dinner, this is the place to sit back and sip a delicious brew as you watch the brewing process with a bird’s eye view. They have two other location, the Jopenkerk distillery in Hoofddorp and the Jopen Proeflokaal (Jopen tasting room) in Waarderpolder. Jopenkerk, Haarlem. More info…
REVIEWS:
