City guide · Amsterdam
The 10 Best Craft Breweries in Amsterdam
From the iconic windmill taproom of Brouwerij 't IJ to the playful psychedelia of Oedipus in Noord, Amsterdam's craft beer scene is one of Europe's most exciting. We've mapped the must-visit breweries, taprooms and historic beer bars across Noord, Oost, Centrum, Westerpark and Oud-West — with transit directions, opening hours and what to drink at each one. Pair the free IJ ferries with trams and you can cover a solid day without a bike; bring a bike only if you're sober and comfortable in city traffic.
Last updated: October 2026 · Curated by MyBeerStops · 10 hand-picked stops
The 10 craft beer spots, ranked by us
Ordered by our editorial pick — not popularity. Independent breweries and historic craft beer bars only. No mass-market terraces.
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1. Brouwerij 't IJ
Brewery — Oost · Funenkade
Funenkade 7, 1018 AL Amsterdam
Mon-Fri 2pm-10pm · Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm
The iconic Amsterdam brewery, brewing since 1985 right under the De Gooyer windmill — the most photogenic taproom in the country. Belgian-inspired ales, an unbeatable canalside terrace and about 25–30 minutes on foot from Dam Square, or a short tram ride.
Iconic, windmill, sun-trap terrace, locals + tourists mix
Zatte (tripel) · IJwit witbier
1h30
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2. Oedipus Brewing
Brewery — Noord · Schaafstraat
Schaafstraat 21, 1021 KD Amsterdam
Wednesday–Thursday 4:00–10:30 PM · Friday 4:00 PM–12:30 AM · Saturday 2:00 PM–12:30 AM · Sunday 2:00–9:30 PM · Monday–Tuesday Closed
The most playful brewery in Amsterdam: psychedelic cans, queer-friendly vibe, weird-and-wonderful beer styles. Their Noord taproom is a destination in itself — outdoor garden, food trucks, DJ sets on weekends.
Playful, queer-friendly, garden, weekend party energy
Mannenliefde saison · Polyamorie sour
2h
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3. Brouwerij Troost Westergas
Brewpub — West · Westerpark
Pazzanistraat 27, 1014 DB Amsterdam
Mon 11am-12am · Tue-Thu 11am-1am · Fri-Sat 11am-3am · Sun 11am-11pm
Big brewpub inside a converted gasworks at Westerpark — the easiest stop if you want food + flight in one go. Open from 11am every day, kitchen until late, perfect lunch or pre-dinner option.
Industrial, family-friendly, food + beer brewpub
Troost IPA · Smokey Tripel
1h30 — 2h
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4. Walhalla Craft Beer
Brewery — Noord · Asterweg
Asterweg 2, 1031 HN Amsterdam
Wed-Fri 4pm-12am · Sat 2pm-12am · Sun 2pm-9pm
Hidden inside Noord's industrial Asterweg strip, Walhalla punches way above its weight — a 4.8★ taproom with a tiny brewery, killer IPAs and an enthusiast crowd. Easy to combine with Oedipus for a Noord double-header.
Cult, intimate, beer-nerd-approved, industrial
Walhalla IPA · Rotating barrel-aged
1h30
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5. Two Chefs Taproom
Craft bar — Oud-West · Hugo de Grootplein
Hugo de Grootplein 7, 1052 KV Amsterdam
Monday 15:30–23:00 · Tuesday–Wednesday Closed · Thursday 15:30–00:00 · Friday–Saturday 11:30–02:00 · Sunday 11:30–23:00
The place to actually drink Two Chefs: 16 taps of their freshest beers, brought from the Westpoort brewery nearly every day, in a colourful Oud-West taproom with food, terrace and regular events. The Westpoort site is production only and not open to visitors.
16 taps, chef-brewers’ own bar, Oud-West
Pretty Things hazy IPA · Limited can-release of the week
1h30
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6. Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater
Brewery — Oost · Polderweg
Polderweg 648, 1093 KP Amsterdam
Mon 11am-11pm · Tue-Wed 11am-12am · Thu 11am-1am · Fri-Sat 11am-2am · Sun 11am-11pm
Revival of a historic 19th-century Amsterdam brewery. Huge taproom in Oost with a beautiful brick interior, full menu and one of the easiest brewery visits if you don't want to cross the IJ.
Historic revival, large, family-friendly, full restaurant
Van Vollenhoven Stout · Ouwe Hap dubbel
2h
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7. Brouwerij De Prael
Brewery — Centrum · Oudezijds Armsteeg
Oudezijds Armsteeg 26, 1012 GP Amsterdam
Monday Closed · Tuesday–Sunday 12:00–00:00
Amsterdam's social-enterprise brewery since 2001, tucked into a side street in the oldest part of the city a short walk from Centraal. House beers on tap, honest food, and a warm room staffed by people the brewery trains into real jobs. Easy Centrum stop between the canal bars and the Oost windmill.
Central brewery, social mission, food + beer
De Prael house IPA · Seasonal special / flight of 4
1h30
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8. Café Gollem (Raamsteeg)
Craft bar — Centrum · Raamsteeg
Raamsteeg 4, 1012 VZ Amsterdam
Mon-Thu 4pm-1am · Fri-Sat 2pm-3am · Sun 2pm-1am
The original Amsterdam beer bar, opened 1974. Wood-paneled, low-ceilinged, 200+ bottles and a rotating draft list that taught a generation of Dutch drinkers what craft beer was. A pilgrimage stop.
Historic, dark wood, intimate, beer-pilgrimage
Rotating Belgian lambics · Dutch craft drafts
1h30
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9. Proeflokaal Arendsnest
Craft bar — Centrum · Herengracht
Herengracht 90, 1015 BS Amsterdam
Mon-Thu 12pm-12am · Fri-Sat 12pm-1am · Sun 12pm-12am
100% Dutch beer, 52 taps, on the Herengracht canal. The single best place in the country to taste your way through the modern Dutch brewing scene without leaving Amsterdam — the staff knows every brewer personally.
Canal-side, refined, Dutch-only, expert staff
100% Dutch rotating taps · Local barrel-aged of the day
1h30
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10. In de Wildeman
Craft bar — Centrum · Kolksteeg
Kolksteeg 3, 1012 PT Amsterdam
Mon-Thu 12pm-12am · Fri-Sat 12pm-1am · Closed Sunday
A former distillery turned beer-tasting cathedral, two minutes from Centraal. 18 taps and 200+ bottles spanning Belgian classics and Dutch craft, in a hushed, no-music room where you actually talk about the beer.
Quiet, no-music, Belgian classics, beer-cathedral
Belgian Trappists · 200+ bottle list
1h
Amsterdam craft beer — Frequently asked questions
What is the best craft beer neighborhood in Amsterdam?
Noord and the Oost ring remain the strongest brewery clusters: Oedipus and Walhalla in Noord, then Brouwerij 't IJ and Poesiat & Kater in Oost. Choose Centrum for De Prael plus the classic proeflokalen Arendsnest, In de Wildeman and Gollem; choose Oud-West for Two Chefs Taproom, with Troost Westergas nearby.
Can you visit several Amsterdam breweries in one day?
Yes. Start at Brouwerij 't IJ, continue by tram or bike to Poesiat & Kater, take the ferry to Noord for Oedipus and Walhalla, then finish in Centrum at De Prael, Gollem, Arendsnest or In de Wildeman. For a separate western afternoon, pair Two Chefs Taproom with Troost Westergas.
Which Amsterdam breweries are open on Mondays?
Many taprooms in Noord (Oedipus, Walhalla) are closed Mon–Tue; De Prael and Two Chefs Taproom are also closed Tuesday (Two Chefs also Wednesday). Reliable Monday picks: Brouwerij 't IJ, Brouwerij Troost Westergas, Poesiat & Kater, Two Chefs Taproom (from 15:30), Arendsnest, Café Gollem and In de Wildeman.
Should I rent a bike to do a beer crawl in Amsterdam?
Only if you're sober and comfortable cycling in city traffic. The tram and free IJ ferries make an excellent, stress-free alternative, so you can save the bike for daytime sightseeing. Never cycle drunk: Dutch police actively fine cyclists over the limit.
What's the difference between a Dutch brewery and a 'proeflokaal'?
A proeflokaal is literally a tasting room — historically attached to a distillery or brewery, and today often a bar with an exceptionally curated draft list. Arendsnest, with 100% Dutch beer, and In de Wildeman, with Belgian and Dutch classics, are two essential proeflokalen even if you skip production breweries.
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