Best Beers To Try In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city with a lively bar culture and a great love for beer. While the city is known for its Heineken, Amstel, Bavaria and Grolsch, there are plenty of other options for beer lovers. From craft breweries to large-scale breweries, Amsterdam has something for everyone. Here is a list of some of the best beers and breweries to visit during your trip.

Where to find the best beer in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a thriving craft beer scene, with creative young local breweries and established tasting houses. Here are some of the best places to find beer in the city:

Brouwerij 't IJ

Perhaps Amsterdam's most famous independent brewery, Brouwerij 't IJ is located under the city's tallest windmill. It's an essential stop on any beer tour of the Dutch capital. You'll find its beers, including the flagship brews Zatte and Natte, in any self-respecting Amsterdam pub, but the best place to try them is at the brewery itself. In summer, a large terrace spills out onto the outdoors, while inside, rustic cosiness and private tasting sessions await.

Bierproeflokaal In de Wildeman

This authentic venue is housed in a former distillery that dates back to 1690 and has retained its old-world charm. It has more than 200 bottled beers and around 18 on tap, with a selection that regularly changes, focusing on Belgian Trappist ales and local Dutch breweries.

Brouwerij Troost

With three locations in Amsterdam, Brouwerij Troost is a popular haunt for beer lovers. You can sample everything they make at their original location in a former monastery in De Pijp, or at their hip parkside hangout in Westergas or their Oud West spot. As well as beer, they serve refreshing New England IPAs, replenishing jenever, and homemade lemonade.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

This traditional Dutch pub on the Herengracht serves only Dutch beers from more than 50 breweries in the Netherlands, plus more than 100 bottled beers. The basement tasting room is the perfect place to taste your way around the Netherlands in one sitting, with regular beer-tasting events for groups.

Oedipus Brewery Taproom

Started by four friends with a shared love of beer, this colourful craft brewery produces a range of beers from the easy-drinking 'Mama' pale ale to Thai-spiced Tripels and the strong 'Kinderyoga'. You'll find their creatively bottled brews in many speciality beer bars in Amsterdam, but for the full Oedipus experience, head to their taproom to sample a range of beers on tap.

De Prael

De Prael's brewing process takes a step back in time – they select and grind their own grains and malts without any filtering or pasteurising. With three locations in Amsterdam, a menu that'll have you coming back for more, and guided brewery tours followed by boat tours sampling their brews, this is one hop stop you won't want to miss.

Best craft beer breweries in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's craft beer scene is thriving, with a variety of breweries offering unique and experimental brews. Here are some of the best craft beer breweries to visit:

Brouwerij 't IJ

Located under the tallest windmill in Amsterdam, Brouwerij 't IJ is one of the oldest craft breweries in the Netherlands. They offer a range of signature beers, as well as special seasonal brews like the dark Autumnal IJbok and the fruity springtime Paasij. The brewery has an on-site taproom with a canal-side terrace, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a drink during the warmer months.

Butcher's Tears

Butcher's Tears is an innovative brewery housed in a rustic industrial space, a former canal-side warehouse in Amsterdam-Zuid. They create a wide range of craft beers, from well-balanced IPAs to barrel-aged dark ales. The brewery aims to enrich beer culture by combining historical brewing techniques with new ideas, often releasing modern brews based on classic recipes. Butcher's Tears also hosts various events, including live concerts, movie nights, and beer release parties.

Oedipus Brewery

Founded by four friends with a passion for beer, Oedipus Brewery in Amsterdam-Noord offers a creative range of beers, from easy-drinking pale ales to Thai-spiced Tripels and strong pale ales. Their colourful concoctions often feature zesty ingredients like mango, lemongrass, or chilli peppers. Oedipus also hosts several beer-related events throughout the year and is open to visitors from Thursday to Sunday.

Brouwerij de Prael

Located in the heart of Amsterdam's oldest areas, Brouwerij de Prael embraces traditional brewing methods and recipes. They produce a variety of classic brews that originated in the Netherlands and western Europe. Brouwerij de Prael offers guided tours, providing visitors with insights into their history, mission, and outstanding beers.

Brouwerij Troost

Brouwerij Troost has multiple locations across Amsterdam, each offering a unique experience. Their first site, a converted Art Deco-style monastery in de Pijp, brews 100,000-litre batches of beer. They have since expanded to two other breweries and a dedicated brewpub, ensuring their tasty craft beers are widely available. Brouwerij Troost experiments with adventurous blends while also brewing classic beers like golden pilsners and low-alcohol IPAs.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

This traditional Dutch pub on the Herengracht canal serves only Dutch beers from over 50 breweries across the Netherlands, along with more than 100 bottled beers. The basement proeflokaal (tasting room) is the perfect spot to sample a variety of local brews, and they regularly host beer-tasting events for groups.

Two Chefs Brewing

Two Chefs Brewing, the largest microbrewery in Amsterdam, was founded to create "funky" beers that stood out from the typical offerings. Their colourful brew universe includes unique offerings like the Fizzy Frog (Brut IPA), Holy Gunter (Lager), and Funky Falcon (Pale Ale). Two Chefs also offers a great selection of food to pair with their beers.

Mainstay Dutch beers

When in Amsterdam, you'll likely come across Heineken, Grolsch, and Amstel. However, these are the cheap beers, and there are plenty of other Dutch beers to try.

Jopen

A tasty Haarlem beer that can be found in many Dutch bars. You can also visit the Jopenkerk in Haarlem to try their craft beer.

Uiltje

Uiltje is a craft beer from Haarlem. It's a bit harder to find in Amsterdam, but it's worth trying if you see it.

Skuumkoppe

This tasty Dutch beer is from the Frisian island of Texel, about three hours north of Amsterdam. You'll find it in many bars throughout the country.

Brand

Brand is the oldest brewery in the country, brewing continuously since 1340!

Grolsch

Grolsch is a more affordable version of Amstel and Heineken. It's known for its flip-top or swing-top bottles, and it's an easy-drinking, crisp lager.

La Trappe

La Trappe is a Trappist beer brewed by monks at De Koningshoeven Brewery. You can get it as a single, dubbel, tripel, or quadrupel, with each one stronger than the last.

Bavaria

Bavaria is another pale lager, and it's much cheaper than the other options.

Brouwerij 't IJ

Located inside a windmill in Amsterdam, Brouwerij 't IJ has been brewing beer since 1985. They offer a variety of craft beers, from IPAs to crisp lagers, and you can sample them directly on-site at two locations: the De Gooyer Windmill and the Blauwe Theehuis.

Oedipus Brewing

Oedipus Brewing is a craft beer bar located in North Amsterdam. They offer various events, such as beer tastings and tours, and you can find their beers in many brown cafes and pubs around Amsterdam.

Brouwerij Troost

Brouwerij Troost has three fantastic sites around Amsterdam, each offering a unique experience. Their original tap room is in the middle of the city, and they brew a wide range of beers, including their popular dark beer, the 'Gouden Carolus Tripel'.

De Prael

De Prael is a hard-to-find taproom located near the Red Light District. They offer a unique selection of microbrews, and they are known for their social responsibility, employing ex-convicts and people with mental disabilities.

Butcher's Tears

Butcher's Tears is an independent small brewery and tap room in Amsterdam-Zuid. They offer a great craft beer selection, from pale ales to ciders and even sake. They also have live music on the weekends and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Amstel

Amstel is a crisp, clean beer that is rooted in Amsterdam's brewing history. It offers a distinct flavour that locals and tourists love, and it's a perfect beer for a hot summer day.

Best beer bars in Amsterdam for craft beer

Amsterdam has a thriving craft beer scene, with more than 40 breweries in the city. Here are some of the best beer bars in Amsterdam for craft beer:

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

A traditional Dutch pub on the Herengracht canal, Proeflokaal Arendsnest serves only Dutch beers from over 50 breweries across the Netherlands, as well as more than 100 bottled beers. It's the ideal place to sample local brews and learn about the country's beer-making history. The basement tasting room hosts regular beer-tasting events for groups.

Brouwerij Troost

With four locations across Amsterdam, Brouwerij Troost is a popular spot for beer lovers. The original brewery is housed in a former monastery in De Pijp, with additional locations in Westergas, Oud West, and Oost. Sample their excellent craft brews, including fruit-forward beers, stouts, and porters, or opt for a refreshing homemade lemonade. They also offer guided tours and comfort food like flammkuchen and burgers.

In de Wildeman

In de Wildeman is located in a former distillery dating back to 1690 and retains its old-world charm. With more than 200 bottled beers and around 18 on tap, the selection focuses on Belgian Trappist ales and local Dutch brews, with German, English, and American beers also available.

De Prael

De Prael has several locations in Amsterdam, including a cosy taproom in the Red Light District and a larger site in Houthavens. The brewery supports those who have faced challenges in finding employment, and they offer interesting tours and events. Their beers range from the ever-popular Bitterblonde and I.P.A. to the unique 11.5% Quadrupel.

Oedipus Brewery Taproom

Started by four friends with a passion for beer, Oedipus Brewery is known for its creative and complex craft beers. Their colourful brews range from the easy-drinking 'Mama' pale ale to the Thai-spiced Tripel and the strong 10.5% 'Kinderyoga'. Visit their taproom in Amsterdam Noord to sample a variety of Oedibrew on tap.

The Beer Temple

Located near Dam Square, The Beer Temple is an American-style craft beer bar with a rotating selection of around 35 drafts and over 200 bottled beers. They feature imports like Stone, Brooklyn Brewery, and Goose Island, as well as their own Dutch house beer. Pair your drink with tasty cheese and sausages.

Butcher's Tears

Butcher's Tears is one of the newest and hippest additions to the Amsterdam craft beer scene. Located in a secluded, industrial space in the Zuid neighbourhood, they offer experimental brews like So What (a salt and vinegar ale) and Philomela (a farmhouse liquorice stout).

Delirium Café

Boasting over 500 beers, including 20 on tap and more than 750 bottles, Delirium Café is a beer lover's paradise. The larger of their two locations is situated on the waterfront, offering stunning views and a spacious terrace for outdoor drinking.

Two Chefs Brewing

Two Chefs Brewing, founded by two former chefs, creates "funky" beers that stand out for their creativity. Their five main offerings, known as The Big Five, are exceptional, with the Funky Falcon pale ale being a highlight. Enjoy their brews at specialty shops or fresh from the tap at Bar Alt, where they are paired with 4, 6, and 8-course meals.

Beer prices in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is known for its beer, with the craft beer scene rapidly growing and breweries becoming more experimental. The price of beer varies depending on the type of beer and the location.

Supermarket Beer Prices

In supermarkets, a six-pack of small Heineken cans typically costs between €3.50 and €4.00. Smaller, touristic supermarkets may charge double the price, so it is recommended to shop at larger chain supermarkets such as Albert Heijn. Dutch people typically buy beer in cases of 24 bottles of 30cl each, which usually cost around €11 but can be found on sale. Cans of half-litre beers, such as Amstel, Dommelsch, and Bavaria, can be purchased for about €0.75 each, while brands like Heineken and Grolsch are more expensive.

Bar Beer Prices

The price of beer in bars ranges from approximately €3 to €6 per beer, depending on the location and the type of beer. In tourist traps, a pint can cost around €8, while during happy hours, it may be half price, ranging from €2.50 to €3. On average, a pint in the city centre costs around €5 to €6.50. It is worth noting that ordering a pint in the Netherlands is unusual, as the typical serving sizes are smaller: vaasjes (25cl) or fluitje (20cl).

Frequently asked questions