Best craft breweries in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a fantastic city on its own. It has a lot to offer, starting with its' beautiful architecture, myriads of canals, amazing mix of cultures and crazy nightlife. But in the past several years with a growing popularity of craft brewing, the city definitely has something to offer to the beer fans.

We visited quite a few local breweries and drank litres of beers to get you these top places. And we are sure they can satisfy even the biggest beer snobs. The order in the following list does not matter, those are just the best breweries according to our taste in beer and hospitality.

Butcher's Tears

Butcher's Tears brewery holds a very special place in our hearts. It is the least commercial project, run by three artists who invested their own savings into this tasty adventure. They started as the illegal brewery, just making beers for the parties they hosted or co-hosted. Pretty cool story already eh? Now it is all legit, but the parties never stopped. If you love great beers and artistic, sometimes chaotic, atmosphere then this is definitely a place for you.

Poesiat & Kater

Poesiat & Kater is a fairly new and the same time quite old brewery. Being re-opened just recently after a very successful crowdfunding campaign the brewery decided to respectfully to its' history keep Van Vollenhoven beers running as well as experimenting with new techniques and flavours with Poesiat & Kater beers. I think the biggest reason why we love this place (of course besides all the amazing beers) is their food menu which is carefully paired with the beers what makes every visit a delicious experience.

Oedipus

Oedipus is our top pick for the northern part of the city. Founded by the friends who wanted to change the Dutch beer landscape by making quality beers available to everyone. At Oedipus they believe (and we do agree) that there are no people who do not like beer, there are people who have not tried the right beer. And at Oedipus, there are so many great beers and new flavours and types keep coming. The location itself is a pretty cool spot, very laid back and funky. Fantastic spot to hang out with your mates and enjoy a few delicious beers.

Two Chefs Brewing

Two Chefs Brewing is another great example of how two friends passionate about beers and brewing with a little luck and help of a very successful crowdfunding campaign turned their dreams into one of the biggest craft breweries in the city (if not country). Unfortunately, there is no bar or tasting room at the brewery, so you have to be lucky to get invited to their special events. But we would recommend visiting Bar Alt, where you can try 4/6/8 course meal where every dish is paired with a perfectly matching Two Chefs Brewing beer or wine.

Brouwerij Het Ij

And last but not the least - Brouwerij Het Ij. This is probably the most well-known craft brewery in the country. They were the first in Amsterdam to start producing ales. The tasting room is probably one of the highlights in all the tourist guides about Amsterdam since it is located in the mill. And it is a must visit place if you love great beers.

Even though all the breweries we mentioned are very different and unique in their own way, but there are several characteristics shared by all of them. They are all run by people who are very passionate about what they do. They do support each other. And they all never stop experimenting what brings so much joy to all of us!

If you feel like we miss a brewery that definitely should be in this list, please get in touch with us on social media, we prefer Instagram, and we will check your favourite spot out and alter the list, and will be happy to meet with you and share a few beers 😉