Search for an Amsterdam brewery windmill and you’ll end up in the same place: the east side of the city, where a tall white-and-black wooden mill stands next to a small brewery with a terrace. The brewery is Brouwerij ‘t IJ, the mill is De Gooyer, and together they make one of the more photogenic beer stops in the Netherlands.
What you’re actually looking at
The brewery sits on the Funenkade in a former public bathhouse. Beside it stands De Gooyer, often described as the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. Several guides note that the mill itself is privately owned and not open to visitors, so you come for the brewery and look at the mill from outside. The addresses are close, so check the brewery’s own site if you want to be sure of the entrance.
A short Dutch beer vocabulary
- Blond, tripel, dubbel: Belgian-influenced styles, which are common on Dutch craft menus.
- Witbier: A cloudy wheat beer, light and spiced.
- IPA: Hoppy and bitter. Many local breweries offer one.
- Proeverij: A tasting.
The brewery’s beers vary by season, so look at the board instead of asking for a specific label.
Reaching the Amsterdam brewery windmill from the centre
- Take a tram or metro east from Central toward Amsterdam Oost, then walk the last stretch. Use the GVB journey planner for the best current connection and stop.
- Cycle if you’re confident: it’s a flat ride across the Oosterpark area, and Amsterdam has plenty of bike lanes.
- Walk from the Plantage district, about 20 to 25 minutes from Waterlooplein, past the Artis zoo and the Hortus.
What to know before you go
- Tours: The brewery has offered short guided tours on certain days, usually from Friday to Sunday, but sources disagree on times and prices. Check the official site for the current schedule and booking.
- Hours: The tasting room usually opens in the afternoon and runs into the evening, but listings differ. Check current hours before travelling.
- Crowds: Sunny weekend afternoons get busy and the terrace fills quickly. Go early on a weekday for a seat.
- Food: Expect cheese, sausage and bitterballen-style bar snacks. A fuller meal is easier in nearby Oost streets such as around Dapperstraat.
Q&A
Can I go inside the windmill? According to several guides, no. It’s a residential building, so view it from the outside.
Is it good for non-beer drinkers? The menu usually includes non-alcoholic choices and simple snacks, but the focus is definitely beer.
Can I buy bottles to take home? The brewery has a shop selling bottles and merchandise, though stock changes. It makes a good gift if your suitcase has room.
Make an afternoon of it
This corner of Amsterdam Oost is quieter than the canal ring and lets you see a more residential side of the city. A simple plan:
- Start at the Tropenmuseum or Oosterpark in the early afternoon.
- Walk to the mill and brewery for a tasting.
- Stroll the Dapperstraat market (not open every day) for stroopwafels and snacks.
- Take tram or bike back into the centre for dinner.
What the beer menu usually looks like
Expect a rotating list on tap, usually including a blond, a tripel, a wheat beer and a hoppy pale ale, plus seasonal specials. Glasses are small by German or British standards, so you can sample several without losing the afternoon. If you’re unsure, ask for a taster of two styles and let the staff steer you; they’re used to it. Beer in the Netherlands is normally ordered at the bar, and you pay when you leave or per round, depending on the venue’s setup.
Nearby things to see
The Oost neighbourhood has more than most visitors realise: the Tropenmuseum, Artis zoo, Dappermarkt and the green Oosterpark are all within easy reach. For a longer walk, follow the water toward the Amstel and the Weesperstraat, where you’ll pass the Hermitage and the Magere Brug. The area also suits cyclists, with calm streets and plenty of bike parking near the brewery, though the terrace can get crowded on sunny days.
For the official word on hours, tours and the current beer list, see Brouwerij ‘t IJ. If the Amsterdam brewery windmill is on your list, keep expectations right: it’s a relaxed, small-scale pub with a landmark behind it, not a big visitor centre. That’s exactly what makes it work.
Related reading: Best Pub in Amsterdam: Brown Cafes Worth Your Evening and Our Lord in the Attic Museum: Amsterdam's Secret Church
