- The big Dutch beers, Heineken, Amstel and Grolsch, are known all around the world
- Historic and thriving brewing scene in Amsterdam has a lot more to offer than just big brand names
- This is a quest for true beer aficionados

The Amsterdam Beer tour was very well laid out and the tour guide was very knowledgable and fun. We were the only ones on the tour and he make sure we had a great time and tried the beers we wanted to try.
Appropriately enough, your knowledgeable local guide will meet you outside the original Heineken factory, open from 1864 to 1988. The tour proceeds through the attractive downtown Amsterdam area, where you’ll learn, for instance, about the influence of German and American brewers on Dutch beers, and the 16th century monks who started their own brewery in these parts. One optional excursion takes you to a small brewery in the notorious Red Light district, but feel free to give it a miss if you don’t fancy that particular detour!
The tour winds up at a huge beer hall, where there are over 200 different varieties to choose from, from golden ale to pale lager to strong stout, making this a beer-drinker’s paradise. It’s the perfect place to raise a toast to Amsterdam - proost! And don’t forget you can stock up on supplies here, as well as buy personalised glasses.
Now the night is yours - you can either stay on at the beer hall, or head off into town to see more of what this city of culture and wild nightlife has to offer.