Amsterdam’s craft beer scene has exploded since 2010 — dozens of independent breweries now operate within city limits, brewing everything from classic Dutch witbiers to experimental sours flavoured with lemongrass and Szechuan pepper. This guide covers the 12 best breweries to visit in Amsterdam, the best craft beer bars, tap rooms, brewery tours, beer-focused walking routes, festivals, and Dutch craft beer styles you should know. Whether you’re a Heineken-and-done casual drinker ready for an upgrade or a serious beer geek, Amsterdam delivers.

Dutch Beer 101: What You Need to Know

• Pilsner still dominates: Heineken, Amstel, Grolsch, Hertog Jan are the macro lagers. Most bars default to one of them.
• Witbier (white beer): cloudy, citrus-and-coriander Belgian style; Hoegaarden is Dutch territory.
• Bockbier: malty, seasonal. Spring (lentebock) and autumn (herfstbok) editions are Dutch traditions.
• Trappist: brewed by Trappist monks. La Trappe (in Tilburg) is the only Dutch Trappist; Belgian Trappists widely available.
• IPA / pale ale: now standard in craft brewers’ lineups since the 2010s American influence.
• Sours, saisons, stouts: experimental styles increasingly common.
• Standard serving size: 0.25 L (vaasje) or 0.33 L. A pint (0.5 L) is less common.
• Heads: Dutch beers come with a thick head — perceived as a sign of freshness.

For a wider Dutch beer overview, see our Dutch beer guide.

12 Best Breweries to Visit in Amsterdam

1. Brouwerij ‘t IJ (Oost)

• Address: Funenkade 7.
• Iconic for: Brewing beneath the De Gooyer windmill — Amsterdam’s most photographed brewery.
• Try: IPA, Zatte (Belgian-style tripel), Plzeň pilsner, Ciel Bleu (Brussels sour).
• Tours: Saturdays 14:30-16:30 (€10 + 1 beer).
• Tap room: open daily.

Founded in 1985 by musician Kasper Peterson; the brewery moved into a former bathhouse beneath the working De Gooyer windmill. The original Amsterdam craft beer pioneer. Outdoor terrace overlooking the windmill is sublime on summer afternoons.

2. Oedipus Brewing (Noord)

• Address: Gedempt Hamerkanaal 87.
• Iconic for: Wild experimental beers.
• Try: Thai Thai (Thai-spiced tripel), Mannenliefde (lemongrass-Szechuan saison), Polyamorie sour.
• Tap room: vast Noord warehouse, frequent food trucks and live music.
• Tours: occasional, book ahead.

Started by four friends; the city’s most experimental brewers. The taproom is a converted Noord warehouse with picnic tables, pizza, DJs, and dogs. 10-minute free ferry from Centraal, then 5-minute walk.

3. Brouwerij De Prael (Old Centre)

• Address: Oudezijds Armsteeg 26.
• Iconic for: Social-enterprise brewery employing people with mental-health challenges.
• Try: Mary (witbier), Johnny (pilsner), Heintje (oatmeal stout), Riek (tripel).
• Tap room & restaurant: open daily; Dutch comfort food alongside the beers.

Beautifully old Dutch interior with a working brewery on view. The mission is as good as the beer.

4. Walhalla Brewery & Taproom (Noord)

• Address: Asterweg 2.
• Iconic for: Mythology-themed branding, ever-changing rotating taps.
• Try: Trippel Tap Bock, Tartarus, IPA, the seasonals.
• Tap room: next to the brewery; freshest beers anywhere.

Edgy industrial Noord setting. Beers are creative and constantly rotating. Open Wed-Sun.

5. Brouwerij Troost (De Pijp + West)

• De Pijp: Cornelis Troostplein 21.
• West (Westergas): Pazzanistraat 27.
• Iconic for: Excellent food alongside the beer; brewing on site.
• Try: Smoked porter, blonde, IPA, weiss.

Two locations, two atmospheres. De Pijp is cosier; Westergas is industrial-chic. Both work as both restaurant and brewery tap.

6. Brouwerij De Eeuwige Jeugd (West)

• Address: Bilderdijkkade 32.
• Iconic for: Tiny taproom; serious beer geek favourite.
• Try: IPA, sour cherry, imperial stout, seasonals.

"Eternal Youth" — small, focused craft brewery. Limited opening hours, but worth the trip for serious drinkers.

7. Two Chefs Brewing (Sloterdijk)

• Address: Veemarkt 75 / industrial west.
• Iconic for: Bold IPAs, food-pairing focus.
• Try: Mr Twister IPA, Coco Loco coffee stout, seasonal sours.

Started by two chefs; their beers are made to be food-friendly. Newer tap room in west Amsterdam.

8. Poesiat & Kater (Oost)

• Address: Polderweg 648.
• Iconic for: Reviving Amsterdam beer styles lost during industrialisation.
• Try: Van Vollenhoven Stout, IPA, lager.

A historical brewery reborn: brewers Karim Soliman and Erik Poesiat dug up classic Amsterdam recipes and re-brewed them to modern standards.

9. Butcher’s Tears (Zuid)

• Address: Karperweg 45.
• Iconic for: Garage brewery; cult following.
• Try: Saison Cazeau-style, smoked Frühlingsbier, sour Brett blends.

Belgian-influenced; family-run; cult favourite of the city’s beer nerds.

10. Bird Brewery (Oost)

• Address: Multiple tap takeovers; main brewery in Utrecht.
• Iconic for: Bold, fruity sours; cult Dutch favourites.

Utrecht-based, but their distribution and tap takeover events are common in Amsterdam.

11. Hops & Beans (NDSM)

• Address: NDSM-Plein 22.
• Iconic for: Brewery and coffee roaster on the NDSM waterfront.

Drink coffee in the morning and beer in the afternoon. NDSM warehouse-chic.

12. Heineken Experience (Old Centre)

• Address: Stadhouderskade 78.
• Iconic for: The most famous Dutch beer brand. Not really craft, but a thorough beer-history museum.
• Entry: €25.

Not a craft brewery, but the most popular "beer experience" for tourists. Two beers included in the ticket. Allow 90 minutes. See our Heineken Experience guide.

Best Craft Beer Bars in Amsterdam

• Proeflokaal Arendsnest (Herengracht 90) — 100% Dutch beer; 50 taps + 100 bottles. The definitive Dutch craft beer bar.
• In de Wildeman (Kolksteeg 3) — old brown café with 18 taps and 200+ bottles. Atmospheric.
• Cafe Gollem (multiple locations) — classic Amsterdam beer institution.
• Bierproeflokaal In de Wildeman — across from Centraal; great for travel-day pints.
• Brouwerij De Prael Bierproeflokaal — De Prael’s bar.
• The Beer Tree (Westerpark) — outdoor beer garden in summer.
• Foeders (Funen) — wine and beer bar inside Brouwerij ‘t IJ’s parent building.
• De Bierfabriek (Rokin) — house brews and Dutch rotisserie chicken.

Beer Walks & Tours

• Amsterdam Beer Tour (3-hour walking tour through 3 bars/breweries; €30-40).
• Beer Bike Tour — pedal-bus group, controversial with locals; lots of fun.
• Brouwerij ‘t IJ Saturday tour — €10, includes beer.
• Brouwerij De Prael tour — Saturday afternoons.
• Heineken Experience — €25, 90 minutes, two beers.
• Private craft beer tour — €100-150 per group, customisable, English-speaking.

Beer Festivals in Amsterdam

• Bokbierfestival (October, Beurs van Berlage) — Amsterdam’s biggest beer festival; 50+ Dutch bokbiers.
• Borefts Beer Festival (September, Zoeterwoude) — international invitational; cult event.
• Amsterdam Craft Beer Week (June) — citywide events, brewer takeovers, tastings.
• De Molen Festival (September) — small but high-quality.
• Festival of the Beers (Het Bierproeffestival) — autumn touring festival.

A One-Day Craft Beer Route

• 13:00 — Start at Brouwerij ‘t IJ (Funenkade). Eat lunch (cheese board + beer) on the terrace.
• 15:00 — Walk 15 minutes south to Poesiat & Kater for a different style.
• 16:30 — Tram to Westerpark for Brouwerij Troost.
• 18:30 — Free ferry to Noord; Oedipus tap room for experimental beers.
• 20:30 — Walk 10 minutes to Walhalla taproom.
• 22:00 — Ferry back to Centraal; nightcap at Arendsnest.

Dutch Beer Styles to Try

• Dutch Trappist: La Trappe Quadrupel — strong, sweet, complex.
• Dutch IPA: Brouwerij ‘t IJ IPA, Two Chefs Mr Twister.
• Tripel: Zatte by Brouwerij ‘t IJ — Belgian-style tripel done well.
• Witbier: De Prael Mary; light, citrussy, perfect for a sunny terrace.
• Bockbier: try a fresh lentebock in spring or herfstbok in autumn.
• Imperial stout: Walhalla Tartarus, De Eeuwige Jeugd.
• Sour: Oedipus Polyamorie, Butcher’s Tears Brett blends.
• Saison: Oedipus Mannenliefde — uniquely Amsterdam.

Practical Tips

• Order in Dutch: "Een pilsje" (a small beer) or "Een vaasje" (0.25L glass).
• Tipping: round up; or 5-10% if served at the table.
• Average craft beer price: €5-7 for a 0.33L.
• Cash for some smaller breweries; cards are standard.
• Going by bike: Dutch drink-and-cycle limit is 0.5‰ — same as driving. Don’t risk it.
• Noord breweries: take the free ferry from behind Centraal Station.
• Closing time: most bars 1-2 AM; clubs later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most famous brewery in Amsterdam?

Brouwerij ‘t IJ — beneath the De Gooyer windmill in Oost. The original Amsterdam craft brewery, now a must-visit for beer travellers.

Is Heineken made in Amsterdam?

No — the historic Heineken brewery closed in 1988. Heineken is now brewed in Zoeterwoude (40 km away). The Heineken Experience is a museum and brand experience, not a working brewery.

How much does a craft beer cost in Amsterdam?

€5-7 for a 0.33L craft beer in a brewery taproom; €7-9 at a craft beer bar; €4-6 for a macro pilsner.

Which Amsterdam brewery has the best food?

Brouwerij Troost (both locations) — they brew on site and run a full restaurant. Oedipus also has consistent food trucks.

Are there gluten-free Dutch beers?

Yes — most craft bars carry at least 1-2 gluten-free options. Ask at the bar.

Where can I buy craft beer to take home?

Most brewery tap rooms sell bottles to take away. Bottleshops include De Bierwinkel (Zoutsteeg) and Bierproeflokaal In de Wildeman.

Final Thoughts

Amsterdam’s craft beer scene is one of the best reasons to skip the Heineken and explore the city’s own brewers. From the windmill-side terrace at Brouwerij ‘t IJ to Oedipus’s experimental wonderland in Noord, the city offers a beer trail unlike any other in Europe. Plan an afternoon route, drink small glasses (0.25L) so you can try more, and don’t miss the seasonal bokbier in spring or autumn.

For more, see our Food & Drink pillar, our Dutch beer guide, and our Heineken Experience guide.