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Amsterdam Windmill Brewery

Enjoying Dutch beer with friends centers on casual and social

Brewery in Amsterdam Windmill – Brewery & Windmill Tour Experience

If you’re searching for a brewery in an Amsterdam windmill, you’re looking for one of the most iconic beer spots in Amsterdam. The famous windmill brewery is Brouwerij ‘t IJ, often called Brewery ‘t IJ or simply the IJ Brewery. It is located right next to the historic De Gooyer, creating one of the most photographed beer locations in the Netherlands.

This unique microbrewery was opened in 1985 by a former musician who wanted to bring character back to Dutch beer culture. Today, Brouwerij ‘t IJ is a true Amsterdam original, blending traditional brewing with bold craft beers that attract locals and visitors year after year.

If you want a beer beside a windmill, the Amsterdam brewery is a fun stop. The Brouwerij ‘t IJ is located beside the historic De Gooyer and next to the Kattenburgergracht canal. You can only drink beer and sit beside the historic De Gooyer windmill, near the docklands area.

When you want a real windmill experience, the Zaanse Schans tour by boat allows you to explore the Amstel River, canals, dacing houses, love bridges, and historic landmarks on the route. After that, you will go to the countryside of Amsterdam, where you can explore :

  • Multiple historic working windmills

  • The chance to enter and see windmills operating

  • Open countryside views of heritage villages

  • Cheese farms and clog workshops

  • Wooden homes

Book Private Canal Cruise To Zaanse Schans

Departing from Amsterdam, your journey begins in the historic canals before opening up into wide rivers, houseboats, Industrial heritage, and green landscapes. You can cruise via the IJ waterway and the Zaan River directly to Zaanse Schans. The travel time takes about 1.5–2 hours one way.

While cruising, you can order food on board, and we offer multiple food courses and choose your favourite beer, champagne, or drinks. Check out the detailed guide about the windmill tour from Amsterdam. Each of our boats has a capacity of 2-12 persons.

Craft Beers Brewed in Amsterdam

Brewery ’t IJ is popular for carefully brewed selections. However, there is a wide range of impressive beers in Amsterdam. 7 types of beers are brewed year-round: Plzen (5%), Vlo (7%), IJ Wit (7%), Natte (6.5%), Zatte (8%), Struis (9%), and Columbus (9%).  If you are a craft beer fan, you can enjoy organic beers brewed from high-quality ingredients.

To elevarate the beer experience, you can try popular dutch beers such as Heineken, Hertog Jan, Grolsch, and La Trappe. Here are the short details below

Heineken Brewery Amsterdam

Heineken Brewery Amsterdam

The Heineken Experience is situated at Stadhouderskade. First, Heineken beer was brewed in 1867. You can take a brewery excursion to explore the museum and how beer is made. You can specimen 2 beers during the standard trip. However, premium or VIP trips often include additional beer and snacks.

Facilities in Heineken

  • Tasting rooms inside the venue

  • Bars at the end of the trip

  • Rooftops with city views

The brewery tour takes about 1.30 hours, and the Heineken Experience is in central Amsterdam, so that you can visit many historical sites, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Houseboat Museum, Anna Frank House, and the Jordaan district.

Brewery Troost Amsterdam

Brewery Troost Amsterdam

Brouwerij Troost is a local Amsterdam microbrewery founded in 2013 in the De Pijp neighbourhood. Visitors can watch beer being brewed on-site with locally sourced ingredients. The nearby attractions to Troost brewpubs are De Pijp and Westergas.

The Specialty of the Brouwerij Troost

  • Classic and seasonal craft beers

  • Barrel-aged and experimental brews

  • Soft drinks and spirits distilled from brewing leftovers

In addition, Dutch brewing traditions often include seasonal specials and limited releases for the beer fan. If you’re curious about European beer history, you’ll even notice influence from Pilsen-style lagers. It’s the perfect opportunity to find your favorite and understand what makes special this brewery Amsterdam.

Brewery ’t IJ Windmill Brewery in Amsterdam

Visit Brewery ’t IJ Windmill Brewery in Amsterdam

Yes , the brewery amsterdam windmill is open for everyone and everyday. The brewery is situated beside the De Gooyer windmill, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. The beer is brewed in a modern facility, and when you visit to the brewery windmill, entire location’s distinctive architecture can seen from terrace.

The building combines industrial style with a relaxed Dutch pub atmosphere, making it a perfect place to grab a beer any day of the week. Inside the tasting room, you can see long tables where you can sit with your friends, share cheese platters, and sample a wide range of craft beers.

In summer, the outdoor terrace becomes one of the nicest places in the city to enjoy the sun. In winter, the cozy interior feels warm and lively, especially on a Friday afternoon when locals head over after work.

Inside the Tasting Room

The tasting room at Brouwerij ’t IJ is more than just a bar. It’s a social center where locals and travelers connect. You can stand at the tap, sit at a shared table, or relax outdoors under the windmill. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a nice place to spend an afternoon.

Beer is served fresh from the tap, and you can pair it with small snacks like cheese, boiled egg, or other simple Dutch bites. Long communal tables encourage conversation, making it easy to meet new friends. It’s a spot where you feel the life of the city without the chaos of the tourist-heavy center.

Enjoying Dutch beer with friends centers on casual and social
Enjoying Dutch beer with friends

Guided Tours and Brewery Experience

The tasting room at Brouwerij ’t IJ is more than just a bar. It’s a social center where locals and travelers connect. You can stand at the tap, sit at a shared table, or relax outdoors under the windmill. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a nice place to spend an afternoon.

Beer is served fresh from the tap, and you can pair it with small snacks like cheese, boiled egg, or other simple Dutch bites. Long communal tables encourage conversation, making it easy to meet new friends. It’s a spot where you feel the life of the city without the chaos of the tourist-heavy center.

Tips for Your Visit

  • Check the official website for opening hours before you go.

  • Arrive early on weekends, especially in spring and summer.

  • Stroll to eastern Amsterdam.

  • Bring friends — the long tables are ideal for groups.

Whether you’re exploring Holland for the first time or visiting Amsterdam for another day, this brewery in Amsterdam is a special way to get authentic Dutch beer culture beside a historic site or while cruising on canals. Amsterdam is the only place to sip organic craft beers and be served in a lively setting. Join the authentic windmill tour, head to this iconic location, and enjoy a glass of beer today.

FAQs

Is Brouwerij ’t IJ brewery in Amsterdam worth a visit?

Brouwerij ’t IJ brewery in Amsterdam offers craft beer tasting beside a historic windmill landmark. Location sits next to De Gooyer windmill in eastern Amsterdam. Tasting room serves local draft beer. Visit suits travelers seeking authentic beer culture near city center.

What is Brewery ’t IJ?

Brewery ’t IJ is a craft brewery located beside De Gooyer windmill in Amsterdam. Microbrewery produces local beer using traditional and modern brewing method. Tasting room operates daily.

What is the most famous windmill in Amsterdam?

De Gooyer windmill is the most famous windmill in Amsterdam and a historic city landmark. Structure stands in eastern district near local brewery and canal area. Site attracts visitor seeking architecture, photography, and cultural history.

What is the famous beer of Amsterdam?

Heineken lager is the most internationally recognized beer associated with Amsterdam city.

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