Brouwerij ‘t Ij

Brewery and Tasting Room in Amsterdam

Looking for a great beer in Amsterdam? Then look underneath the windmill. Brouwerij t’Ij is located east of the canal ring and Centraal station near the docks. The brewery was originally located on the Ij River, but in 1985 it moved to a former public bathhouse adjacent to a giant wooden windmill. This windmill, built in 1725, is the highest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. While no longer located along its namesake, Brouwerij t’Ij’s new location proved to be a hit and they have been there ever since.

When you get there, the first thing you will notice is the very impressive collection of beer bottles that line the wall. This has the wonderful effect of making you thirsty for beer (in case you weren’t already). Go up to the bar and place your order. If you can’t decide, go with a flight – five beers for € 7.50. L&A is partial to the Columbus, Plzen, Ijbock and their IPA. Being that this is a former bathhouse, there is not much by way of natural light entering the tasting room, so if the weather is nice or even sort of nice (Amsterdam’s usual forecast for the day is rain-sun-cloud), head outside to their beer garden and enjoy your beer underneath a windmill overlooking a canal. It doesn’t get much better than this. Oh wait. Yes it does. They also serve cheese.

Know Before You Go

The tasting room is open daily from 2pm to 8pm. Tours are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:30pm and 4pm for € 4.50. This includes a beer, so it is basically free. Biking is probably the best way to get here (or anywhere in Amsterdam), but it’s not that bad of a walk from Centraal Station.  Taking a tram (number 10 or 14) is also a good option.

Bottom Line

Amsterdam. Beer. Cheese. Windmills. Canals.