Best breweries to visit in Amsterdam

Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Located in a former bathhouse in Amsterdam-Oost, this small-scale brewery founded by musician Kasper Peterson has been busy brewing a range of speciality beers since 1985. The famed windmill next door--the biggest one in the country--has become a trademark symbol of Brouwerij ‘t IJ ever since. A tour of the facilities is available, topped off by a free beer of your choice. Their second taproom, ‘t Blauwe Theehuis, boasts a giant terrace with Vondelpark views and an extensive food menu. Grab a glass of IJwit, one of Amsterdam’s most popular craft beers, and be prepared to spend a couple of hours in good company.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ | Funenkade 7, Amsterdam-Oost / ‘t Blauwe Theehuis | Vondelpark 5, Amsterdam Oud-Zuid

Oedipus Brewing

With their colourful labels and inventive names – Mama, Thai Thai and Polyamorie, for example – beers brewed at Oedipus Brewing guarantee a good time. Founded by four friends in 2009, this brewery now features its own taproom (open Thursdays through Sunday) as well as private beer tastings, including a personal tour. If you’re feeling peckish, don’t fret. Delicious award-winning burgers from The Beef Chief make a great addition to a cold glass of pils.

Oedipus Brewing | Gedempt Hamerkanaal 85, Amsterdam-Noord

Brouwerij Troost

When the first Troost brewery opened in 2014, it was immediately a hit – and its popularity quickly led to the opening of not one or two but three additional breweries throughout Amsterdam, the newest of which opened in April 2018. The Westergas location is where most of the magic happens: with the seats squeezed nearly between the beer tanks, you’ll never feel closer to the brewing process. The smaller De Pijp location brews small-batch beer. It doesn’t matter which location you visit, though: they all have brewpubs that are worth a visit.

Troost De Pijp | Cornelis Troostplein 21, Amsterdam-Zuid / Troost Westergas | Pazzanistraat 25-27, Amsterdam-West / Troost Oud-West | Bilderdijkstraat 205, Amsterdam Oud-West

Brouwerij De Prael

Treat your taste buds with a refreshing beer from De Prael, a brewery located in the centre of Amsterdam. Over a dozen types of beer – without any artificial flavours or fragrances – are brewed here, proudly made by those who have difficulties entering the job market. Make sure to stop by its tasting room during one of the many live music, bingo and beer battle events.

Brouwerij De Prael | Oudezijds Armsteeg 26, Amsterdam-Centrum

Bird Brewery

Bird Brewery opened in 2016 and has since earned over 25 awards. It is considered one of the most successful microbreweries in The Netherlands, and its creators are laser-focused on well-balanced taste and brewing sustainability. House of Bird, the tasting room of Bird Brewery, is the crowning jewel within the Diemer forest. With over 20 speciality beers and a seasonal menu to choose from, you can head outside and indulge in nature sounds and a spot of bird-watching. There’s also the Brew Lab, where visitors can taste test batches or try their hand at brewing.

Bird Brewery | Diemerbospad 1a, Diemen, Amsterdam-Zuidoost

Brouwerij Walhalla

Recently turned five years old, Walhalla has quickly become the go-to brewery for a spot of gods-blessed ale and beer. With 13 delicious beers on tap, the taproom and terrace are open for business from Thursday to Sunday. Try their IPAs named after the Norse gods of old, and keep an eye out for the seasonals that celebrate ingredients such as rye, spices, lemon and chocolate.

Walhalla Brewery & Taproom | Spijkerkade 10, Amsterdam-Noord

Butcher’s Tears

You’ll find this relative newcomer to the beer scene on the industrial space in Amsterdam-Zuid, serving up a rotating list of inventive brews such as The Pooka or Monster Soup TT. An unpretentious, welcoming place for locals as well as tourists, Butcher’s Tears opens the doors to its tasting room every Wednesday to Sunday for guests to enjoy not only the beer but games and live music.

Butcher’s Tears | Karperweg 45, Amsterdam-Zuid / Tears Terrace & Kiosk | Jan van Galenstraat 10, Amsterdam-West

Brouwerij Kleiburg

At Kleiburg Brewery, a project of the Kleiklooster, you can taste some of the best beer in Bijlmer: Porter Saison, Tripel IPA or Quadruple Poorter, for starters. The brewery doesn’t just make beer for the fun of it – it’s a social enterprise in which a portion of profits goes directly back into the monastery’s activities for the good of the people.

Brouwerij Kleiburg | Hullenbergweg 6, Amsterdam-Zuidoost

Poesiat & Kater

Get a taste of history at Poesiat & Kater, a brewery located in a historic location in Amsterdam-Oost with a tasting room that’s just as charming. Brewer Julián Álvarez Zárate, a ‘yeast specialist’, is the brains behind the brewery and creates not only Poesiat & Kater specialty beers but the resurrected legendary Van Vollenhoven beer. Both of which you can enjoy alongside brunch, lunch or dinner on their summer-proof water-side terrace.

Poesiat & Kater | Polderweg 648, Amsterdam-Oost

Brouwerij de 7 Deugden

This brewery, whose name translates to the ‘seven virtues’ and employs those who have trouble finding work, doesn’t brew just any old beer. Using a mix of herbs and spices, the brewery offers up specialities such as Ruw+Bolster, which features a hint of lime; Scheeps+Recht, whose spicy-sweet flavour comes from cloves; or Stout-Moedig, which gets a kick from coffee beans. Tastings and tours are by request only. Add to this unique experience next door where you can tour the historic Molen van Sloten, the only functioning windmill in Amsterdam.

Brouwerij de 7 Deugden | Akersluis 8D, Amsterdam-West

Two Chefs

The largest microbrewery in Amsterdam may sound like a misnomer, but it’s true: this undertaking from two chefs was founded in 2012 as a way to stock up on ‘funky’ beers they couldn’t find elsewhere, and it quickly grew. The facility itself isn’t open for touring, but their new location at FoodBar West offers an opportunity to execute a full-scale taste test as you hop through their rainbow of flavours.

Two Chefs FoodBar West | Hugo de Grootplein 7-15, Amsterdam- West

Brouwerij Homeland

Part of Pension Homeland, a hotel and restaurant, this brewery has become a hub of additive-free, honest beer. The brewery is just a couple of years old, but they’ve already tapped into fresh flavour combos ranging from fruity to spicy. There are no tours of the brewery, but you can make use of the Tap Service, where an experienced brewer comes to your home or party to serve up freshly tapped beer such as Katzwijm IPA or the Kielzog Tripel. While you’re there, explore the surrounding Marineterrein, a growing urban district boosting local business and innovation.

Brouwerij Homeland | Kattenburgerstraat 5 (gebouw 6), Amsterdam-Oost

De Bierfabriek

It’s a brewery and a restaurant, but neither outshine the other: De Bierfabriek is not only known for its world-class, house-brewed beer but its hearty dishes such as slow-roasted chicken from a charcoal barbecue. De Bierfabriek feels less like a brewery and more like a friend’s living room, making it the perfect setting for small events. The self-serve tap tables are a sign you’re somewhere special and will surely impress your party.

De Bierfabriek | Nes 67, Amsterdam-Centrum

De Bekeerde Suster

You can already see the green neon sign of this brewery – an addition that is certainly not from the location’s original nunnery – from the Nieuwmarkt, calling you for a sip of cool, refreshing beer. The tasting room and café are open every day, but you might aim to visit on Thursday or Friday at around 12:30 to get a glimpse of Master Brewer Harrie Vermeer working his magic.

De Bekeerde Suster | Kloveniersburgwal 6, Amsterdam-Centrum