De Prael – ‘Humans & beer: the perfect combination’. This is not your average craft brewery. This social initiative started thirteen years ago with the idea of giving less-fortunate people a chance on the labour market by working in a beer brewery. More than a decade after the idea was born the brewery is still a great success. The beers from De Prael are renowned for their quality’, authenticity and classic beer styles.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ – is by far the oldest and most well-known of the craft breweries in town. Since 1985 the beers of Brouwerij‘t IJ have stolen the hearts of Amsterdam’s beer lovers. The beers can be described as full of flavour and character. They are naturally brewed and most of them can be called 100% organic. The original brewery and tasting room (recently renovated) are located next to the windmill called ‘De Gooyer’ in Amsterdam East. Order a fresh-brewed draft at the bar and have a seat outside on the amazing terrace.
Brouwerij Troost – Troost Brewery opened its doors in March 2014, and it has been a successful brewery/bar/ restaurant from the very beginning. Coming September Troost will open a second venue on the Westergasfabriek area: a brewery, brewpub and shop all in one. Troost brews 11 different accessible and tasty beers. The beers are generally lower in ABV than usual. And yes, they also produce their own gin, distilled from beer. The food menu is packed with comfort food. The burgers and the delicious chicken sate are highly recommended.
Oedipus Brewing – The hottest brewery in town started only 3.5 years ago and just opened its new brewery and taproom in Amsterdam North. Founded by four friends with a good sense of quality, creativity, innovation and humour, Oedipus creates a new small-batch beer every two weeks. These beers are spreading like a virus around cafes, bars and restaurants in town.
De Bekeerde Suster – Located in the touristic heart of the city, De Bekeerde Suster is an authentic and pleasant combination of a brewery, cafe/brew pub and restaurant. The cafe offers freshly brewed beers, but also more commercial beers from the big, well-known brands. The food menu consists of comfort food and Dutch pub-food classics with a ‘beer twist’. All home-brew ed beers from the authentic steam brewery are unfiltered.
Bierfabriek – is a huge brewpub, restaurant and brewery in one location. Simplicity and quality are key elements of this venue. They offer three types of beer: Puur, Rosso and Nero. Food wise, the concept of the venue is very simple: They serve the best chicken in town. It’s free range and from the charcoal grill. Bierfabriek is perfect for groups, bachelor parties, stag parties and large crowds.
Butcher’s Tears – is a small brewery located on a canal side in Amsterdam Zuid, set up by pilgrims from the north lands as a base port for voyages on the seven foaming seas of gold. Butcher’s Tears specializes in brewing funky beers that are unfiltered, unpasteurized and untampered with. The beers have extraordinary, slightly medieval names like La Condition Humaine II, III and IV, The Possession, Misery King and Monster Soup XXXX. They come in styles such as light IPA, pale ale, amber ale, special bitter, saison and barley wine. Visit their proeflokaal, a haven to clear your senses from the blur.
Brouwerij de Vriendschap – (the friendship) just opened its tasting room, located in health food/pancake restaurant Stroop, above the Brew Lab. The first brew, Hopblond, was an immediate success and a great start for the two friends’ brewing career. All their beers arc unpasteurized and if the style asks for it, unfiltered. The Brew Lab and tasting room are located within the verdant city farming project NoordOogst.
De 7 Deugden – This new brewery is located in Amsterdam West and bases their beers on the seven virtues. Six of their beers are brewed year-round with an additional seasonal beer that changes seven times a year. These beers are interesting and have a unique combination of flavors. Brouwerij de 7 Deugden brews can be purchased directly from the brewery and at shops around the Netherlands. Visitors can also make a reservation to tour this local brewery and taste beer and cheese with a group of up to 45 people. Prices are around €20 per person for groups of less than 15. And as a very special treat, you and your friends or colleagues can brew your own beer with help from the brewmaster.
Jopenkerk – Located in Haarlem just a few minutes on the train from Amsterdam is a great brewery that is making beer from traditional recipes. The fantastic Jopen brewery and restaurant is housed in an old church which makes for an impressive drinking ambiance. At die Jopenkerk most of their beers are available on tap. Jopen brews some of our favorite beers. Their Jopen Hoppenbier follows an original Haarlem recipe from 1501. Another traditional beer is their Jopen Koyt which is brewed using “gruit” following a recipe from 1407. Gruit is a medieval herb blend that was used in beer before hops was introduced. Try the delicious Extra Stout and Ongelovige Thomas brews. The serious beer lover must make a pilgrimage to the Jopenkerk! And if you can’t do that you can still find their beers around town, especially at the new Jopen Proeflokaal Amsterdam!
