Amsterdam is an underrated city when it comes to beer. The city has some amazing pubs, cafes and is famous for its thrilling and vibrant nightlife. Some of the best beers in the world are available in Amsterdam. So, do try them during your trip. If you are not aware, let us tell you that the Netherlands exports a large proportion of beer to the world – approximately 50%. So, the beer you’ll find here won’t be available anywhere else in the world. 

You can enjoy tasty beer here at breweries, cafes, terraces and other places. If you ask us about our brewery spotlight, nothing compared to the feeling of having a Heineken or a Brouwrij ‘t IJ sitting beside water or while witnessing the fantastic architecture and history of the city. Here are the top five beers to try when you visit Amsterdam:

1. Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Brouwerij ‘t IJ is beneath the tallest Amsterdam windmill. This brewery stamps its beers with great labels that bear the mammoth-like appeal. Since its launch in the mid-1980s, the brewery ranks among one of the oldest craft breweries in the Netherlands. They have created so many fantastic brewers over the years. It even includes around eight signature beers that are popular in Amsterdam. Besides its standard selection, the popular Brouwerij ‘t IJ often produces unique seasonal beers. Some of these brews are fruity springtime Passij or dark Autumnal IJ. It offers special guided tours to visitors as well. It even has a taproom on its huge canal-side terrace.

2. Kleiburg Brewery

The Christian community “Kleiklooster” settled in Klusflat Kleiburg (after their rescue from demolition in 2011) in 2015. Even a brewery was set up there as per the age-old monastic tradition. Even today, this Kleiburg brewery is sampled in Proefzaak. It is situated in a massive green hanger, where you can enjoy a beer with delicious food. Moroccan tajine, fish & chips and tasty veal or veggie burgers are a few dishes that you may try, along with your craft beer. You can enjoy it inside the brewery or outside on a sunny terrace area.

3. Butcher’s Tears

Butcher’s Tears was turned into a canal-side warehouse in Amsterdam-Zuid during the mid-2010s. Later, this rustic industrial space was converted into an innovative brewery with a minimalistic taproom on-site. They even have employed their brewing expertise for creating a smooth line of tasty craft beers. Their beers range from barrel-aged dark ales to perfectly balanced IPAs. It even aims at enriching the beer culture by drawing its inspiration from ancient brewing techniques.

Meanwhile, they keep experimenting with new ideas and come up with inventive modern brews. Their modern brews, however, are based on classic recipes. The brewery often organizes events in its taproom, including movie nights, live concerts with musicians and beer release parties.

4. Oedipus Brewing

Four beer-lover friends started this brewery in Amsterdam. They were keen to shape up the city’s brewing scene with their creative and tasty brews. Since its launch in 2010, Oedipus came up with various beers based on classic brews from North America and Europe. Some of their colored concoctions include ingredients like lemongrass, mango or chili peppers. These ingredients are known to add a subtle tinge to otherwise familiar beer tastes. 

5. Brouwerij de Prael 

This brewery is in the crowded Amsterdam’s Red Light District. It boasts a stupendous spacious brewpub, which offers beer, Dutch meals, and bar snacks. It even leans toward some experimental techniques with time-honed recipes. You can even indulge in their guided tours to go through the brewery, where you can learn about the history of this brewery, its mission, and its outstanding collection of beers. 

Conclusion

From Brouwerij ‘t IJ to Butcher’s Tears and Kleiburg brewery Amsterdam, Amsterdam has so many excellent breweries. However, if you want to know our favorites, those mentioned above are the top five breweries on our list.