Beer is part of daily life in Amsterdam, from the plain lager in a brown café to the cloudy craft IPA in a canal-side taproom. If you are curious about Amsterdam beer brands, the list splits neatly into big household names and a growing group of small local brewers.
Amsterdam beer brands: the big names
Heineken
The best known Dutch brewery was founded in Amsterdam in the nineteenth century. Its old brewery building on Stadhouderskade is now the Heineken Experience, a visitor attraction that tells the story of the brand and ends with tastings. Tickets are usually sold for timed slots, so check availability in advance.
Amstel
Amstel takes its name from the river that runs through the city, and it was brewed in Amsterdam for many years. It is now owned by Heineken, and it is common in bars and supermarkets. Many locals still treat it as the everyday pale lager.
Grolsch and Bavaria
Other Dutch brands you will meet in Amsterdam are Grolsch, recognised by its swing-top bottles, and Bavaria, a Dutch brewer that is one of the larger producers in the country. These are not from Amsterdam itself, but they are on many menus.
The local craft scene
Over the last decade or two, small breweries have opened across the city. Here are some of the names visitors are likely to hear.
- Brouwerij ‘t IJ: a well-known craft brewery in a former bathhouse next to the Funen windmill in the east of the city. The taproom has a terrace, and it offers a range of Belgian-style and other beers.
- Brouwerij Troost: a local brewer with taprooms in several parts of the city.
- Oedipus Brewing: a brewer known for imaginative recipes and bright can art.
- Poesiat & Kater: a smaller brewery with its own taproom.
- De Prael: a brewery in the old centre that also runs community projects.
Names, locations and ranges change from year to year, so check opening hours before you visit.
Beer styles to look for
The Dutch tradition is mostly lager, but the country also drinks a lot of other styles.
1. Pils: the standard light lager, served cold and often in small glasses.
2. Witbier: a cloudy wheat beer with citrus and spice, refreshing in summer.
3. Tripel and dubbel: strong abbey-style beers, usually inspired by Belgian monks. Be careful, because the alcohol content is higher than it tastes.
4. IPA and other craft styles: now easy to find in local bars.
5. Bockbier: a seasonal dark beer in autumn.
Where to drink
Brown cafés are cosy, traditional bars with dark wood and a local feel. A speciality beer bar such as Proeflokaal Arendsnest focuses on Dutch beer only and has a long list. Some neighbourhoods, such as De Pijp and the Jordaan, have a good number of places within walking distance of each other.
How beer is served
Dutch bartenders often pour beer with a deliberate head of foam. This is normal, and the foam is part of the style. Glass sizes tend to be smaller than in some other countries, so you may drink more than one. In many cafés you pay when you leave, or when you are served at the table, so ask if you are not sure.
Drink responsibly
Amsterdam is a city where people cycle, so please do not drink and ride. Public drinking rules vary, and open-container rules can result in fines in certain areas. The legal drinking age for beer and wine in the Netherlands is 18.
Tips for beer lovers
- Try a tasting flight if the bar offers one.
- Ask staff for a local recommendation, and they will usually be pleased to help.
- Pair beer with local snacks such as bitterballen, which are crispy meat croquettes served with mustard.
- Visit a brewery outside peak hours for a quieter experience.
A simple tasting plan for an afternoon
Start with a classic lager at a brown café so you know the local baseline. Move on to a witbier at a terrace by the water, then finish with one stronger Dutch abbey-style beer, ideally with a plate of cheese. Drink water between rounds, and eat something solid. If you take a brewery tour, ask which beers are brewed on site and which are made elsewhere, because that tells you a lot about the place.
Whether you choose a plain Heineken at a corner bar or an experimental craft beer by the water, the Amsterdam beer brands on offer make it easy to find something you like.
More like this: browse our Amsterdam section.
