Craft beer in Amsterdam has been thriving over the past decade or so. With dozens of breweries and taprooms to enjoy, working your way around the city’s best beer spots is a great way to explore some of the more off-beat areas of Amsterdam.
The Netherlands has been brewing beer for centuries, but what we now know as “craft beer” only got started in the mid-1980s – and even then very slowly. It wasn’t until the early 2010s that craft beer in Amsterdam really took off, with many brewers challenging the dominance of Heineken, Brand, Amstel, Grolsch, and so on.
Exactly how many craft breweries there are currently depends on how you define them (and there’s not much consensus on that definition) but nowadays Amsterdam counts around 40-50 craft brewers to its name. In other words, there’s plenty of craft beer in Amsterdam to keep hops lovers entertained.
10 Best breweries & taprooms in Amsterdam (+ what to order)
To put this list together, we enlisted the help of beer aficionado, Giacomo Rizzi. Since he first moved to Amsterdam in 2002, Giacomo has visited every brewery and taproom in Amsterdam as well as many more further afield.
Along the way, he’s racked up a whopping 1,500 beers in Untappd (the app for beer lovers), many of which he’s tasted several times. So we asked him what to order at each of his favorite taprooms – proost!
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Located beneath a windmill in Amsterdam Oost (east), Brouwerij ‘t IJ is an iconic name in the city’s craft beer scene. Since 1985, they’ve been brewing organic, unfiltered beers with distinctive Belgian influences.
Giacomo recommends the Columbus – a strong amber-colored ale – but the rotating seasonal beers are also worth a try. Enjoy the brews, plus some local sheep’s cheese, in their lively taproom or expansive beer garden underneath the windmill.
Two Chefs Brewing
Founded by two chefs with a love of hops, Two Chefs Brewing brings culinary flair to Amsterdam’s craft beer landscape.
Known for their hoppy, flavorful beers, the brewery’s Funky Falcon Pale Ale is a popular choice, but Giacomo’s favorite is the floral Green Bullet IPA, brewed with 6 varieties of hops. Their taproom in Amsterdam West is a cozy spot to explore a wide range of their inventive brews, with an extensive menu and regular collaborative events.
Oedipus Brewing
Bold, experimental, and colorful, Oedipus Brewing adds creative branding and a design-led touch to the Amsterdam beer scene.
Their taproom in Amsterdam Noord (north) offers a laidback, artsy vibe, where Giacomo recommends their signature Mannenliefde, a Saison brewed with lemongrass and Szechuan pepper, or the Panty Stout for a dark, malty flavor with a playful twist.
Brouwerij De Prael
Brouwerij De Prael combines great beer with a social mission, offering employment to people who face barriers in the labor market. Tucked down an alleyway in the Red Light District, their taproom is housed in a charming, old canal house.
For a true Amsterdam experience, Giacomo suggests trying the Code Blond: a light, refreshing, but above all eco-friendly blond beer that’s made using harvested rainwater. Finally, the Dutch weather put to good use.
Poesiat & Kater
Located in a beautifully restored 19th-century building in Amsterdam Oost, Poesiat & Kater serves up both contemporary beers and traditional brews from Van Vollenhoven & Co. – a nod to Amsterdam’s brewing history.
Giacomo suggests their Princesse Bier (a spiced wheat beer) as an always-popular choice, or one of Poesiat & Kater’s rotating Muuke beers for the more experimental beer lover.
Brouwerij Troost
With two locations in Amsterdam, Brouwerij Troost has built a reputation for its approachable and diverse beer selection – not to mention its fantastic burgers.
Their Westerpark brewery is located in a former gas factory building and makes an atmospheric setting for tasting their beers. The New England IPA is a standout, according to Giacomo, as is the Club Tropicana sour in summertime.
Walhalla Craft Beer
Inspired by ancient gods and myths, Walhalla Craft Beer produces bold brews with a story behind each beer. Their taproom in Amsterdam Noord offers a welcoming vibe where you can sample beers like their signature LOKI, a golden IPA with a grassy citrus aroma.
The brewery’s mythological theme runs throughout, adding a unique twist to the drinking experience.
Bird Brewery
Focused on sustainability and the natural world, Bird Brewery crafts beers (all of which are named after birds) with a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Their nature-inspired taproom, House of Bird, is nestled in the Diemerbos forest on the city’s outskirts in Diemen. Giacomo recommends the Fuut Fieuw: a blonde, fruity, session IPA, which might just pair perfectly with a picnic in the park.
Gollem
A fixture in Amsterdam’s beer scene since the 1970s, Gollem now has 5 locations in the city – all with an extensive beer list, both craft and classic. Although not a brewery, Gollem’s dedication to craft beer earns it a spot on this list.
With over 30 beers on tap, you can’t go wrong with Gollem’s ever-changing lineup of Dutch brews, especially alongside a hearty portion of Trappistenkaas (cheese made by Trappist monks). Our favorite location is the dark, cozy Café Gollem on Raamsteeg, but all their taprooms are pretty atmospheric.
Insider’s tip:
- Learn more about local cheese in our article all about the most popular varieties in the Netherlands.
Brouwerij Hoop
Located just outside Amsterdam, right next to Zaanse Schaans (worth a day trip in its own right), Brouwerij Hoop focuses on quality and craftsmanship. Known for its contemporary beer styles, Hoop brews everything from IPAs to wheat beers.
Visit their taproom to try the range and learn about the brewing process (tours are available) while overlooking the scenic Zaan River and its iconic windmills.
Want to taste some Dutch beer alongside classic Dutch dishes? Join our Ultimate Food Tour! The rich culinary culture of the Netherlands goes hand in hand with its history, as you’ll taste for yourself as you explore three of Amsterdam’s most picturesque neighborhoods –brews included.
British by birth and Dutch by choice, Vicky Hampton is a food & wine writer based in Amsterdam but frequently found working from various wine regions. She’s written for publications including The Guardian, New York Times, Michelin Guide, and her own Amsterdam Restaurant Guide. With a WSET level 3 qualification in wine, Vicky also runs a wine consultancy business: Truffles and Tannins. Follow her on Instagram @amsterdamfoodie or @trufflesandtannins.