The perfect way to celebrate after finishing exams with your friends is on a city break. Amsterdam is the perfect location: it has some excellent bars and clubs, a dynamic food scene, and hosts a wide range of incredible options for young holidaymakers. One of those, its beer scene, is often overlooked; let me share with you some of the best spots to grab a pint.
The Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is one of Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attraction, and for good reason: the historic brewery was built in 1867 and was the company’s main brewing facility under the late 1980s, before opening to the public in 1991. Visitors can walk through the brewery at their own pace and see the history of the Heineken family and the beer they produced there for over a century. At the end of the tour, you’ll even get to share a couple of cold ones with your friends. As a great way to start your city break, Amsterdam’s Heineken Experience is hard to beat.
Brouwerji ‘t lJ
After visiting the Heineken behemoth, a trip to Brouwerji ‘t lJ is a great way to get in touch with the local beer scene in the Netherlands. Brouwerji ‘t lJ is a household name throughout the country and is located under an iconic windmill in Amsterdam’s trendy Oost district. The brewery has a traditional tasting room complete with a canal-side terrace that opens during the summertime. Stop by and try one of Brouwerji ‘t lJ’s traditional offerings such as natte or zatte or choose from its extensive seasonal menu. You and your friends can even take a tour on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Brewpub De Prael
Brewpub de Prael is a great spot to grab a pint with friends while you’re in the city; it is located in the De Wallen district in the heart of the centre. While it isn’t anywhere as large as Heineken or even Brouwerji ‘t lJ, it is a traditional Dutch brewery that utilizes time-honed techniques that truly raise the profile of its beer. Tours can be arranged through the brewery’s website, complete with beer-tasting sessions, and also on offer are a great selection of Dutch mains and snacks.
Butcher’s Tears
If you and your friends are looking for a less conventional spot to try some of Amsterdam’s best brews, Butcher’s Tears is a must. This brewery is at the forefront of combining historic methods of Dutch craftsmanship with twenty-first-century experimentation to create twists on the classics (think of beers with names like ‘The Last Possession’ or ‘Saison en Enfer’). It’s located in the heart of Amsterdam and easy to access and has a minimalist tasting room that enhances the experience. Before visiting, be sure to visit its website: the brewery often hosts regular festivals and concerts, which offer a great opportunity to take in Amsterdam’s music scene.
How to Get There
If you’re looking for the perfect destination for a beer-focused city break, Amsterdam is the ultimate choice. Flying to Amsterdam from the UK is relatively easy, with flights taking less than an hour. Upon arrival to Schiphol Airport, the quickest way to get to the city centre is by shuttle service. After a hassle-free 30 minute journey from the airport, you and your friends will be ready to enjoy a fun-packed beer-sperience.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re heading off for a relaxing city break, Amsterdam is the perfect destination and Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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