Craft Beer Bars in Amsterdam

As every year in May, we both get older. To forget that time passes so quickly, we take the opportunity to travel to a new beer loving destination. This year we went for new craft beer bars in Amsterdam. With the Dutch strong beer culture and love for Belgian beers, it was an easy pick for los Drunk Mamarrachos.

We arrived in Amsterdam just in time for lunch. Michele found the best kebab we had in a very long time: Leeman Döner (Van Woustraat 160, 1073 LW Amsterdam). All their bread is homemade, yummy!

Foeders

Next stop was Foeders, a small bar specialized in sour beers. We tasted the Motueka Dry Hopped Sour from Redchurch Brewery (England), quite good. Although the prices are higher than the norm for Dam, they do have a great selection of sour beers for those in the know.

Beer Temple

We continued touring the Pijp neighborhood, walking around the Albert Cuypmarkt (street market) until our steps inevitably brought us to our next drinking palace: Beer Temple. This bar is part of a series of four craft beer bars all owned by the same Dutch guy: Peter van der Arend. Beer Temple is specialized in American beers, with 35 beers on tap, and is usually crowded with a fun atmosphere. We tried out the Stone IPA from Stone Brewing – brewed nearby in their new brewery in Berlin – fresh and hoppy.

The next morning we started the day shopping on Haarlemmerdijk street to check out the hip – and concept- stores from local designers & artisans. After that, we continued strolling towards Jordaan, admiring the thin and leaning houses aligned on the canals.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

We casually stumbled (not really) across our next stop, Proeflokaal Arendsnest – the first of all craft beer bars in the city serving Dutch-only beers. Part of the same group as Temple Beer, Arendsnest is a cozy bar with a friendly service, letting you try out many beers available until you find the right one for you. They also have a lovely terrace in front of the canal.

BEER loves FOOD

After clenching our thirst, we stopped by Red Light Record shop for some digging and then headed to BEER loves FOOD, the latest addition to Peter van der Arend’s craft beer empire in Dam. A small and crowded gastronomic beer bar, ’cause BEER loves FOOD offers 25 beers on tap with a ver good selection of Dutch, Italian, Belgian and other international beers. We tasted Mystery from Browar Rockmill (Poland), a Cascadian Dark Ale, a hoppy dark ale.

Cafe Gollem

Our last stop of the day, just before going out for a bit of dancing, was Cafe Gollem on Amstelstraat. Offering about 30 beers on tap and more than 250 beers in bottle – including a very interesting and large selection of craft beer in cans – we sampled some good Belgian beers. With a young and fun atmosphere, it provided us with the perfect pre-drinking place. They have four locations around the city, so don’t worry, there will always be one just around the corner.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

’cause BEER loves FOOD

Cafe Gollem

Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman

The next day was a short day. We spent the afternoon at Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman for a serious beer session. A crowded bar right in the city centre, located on a small street, it is popular amongst both locals and tourists. They offer an interesting selection of local and international beers on draught and have couple of tables and benches outside. Best time to go is in the late afternoon when their side of the street is bathed by the sun… The best from all craft beer bars in Amsterdam so far.

Craft & Draft

On our last day we rented some bikes and visited Vondelpark. After a short siesta under the sun we headed to the last bar from Peter van der Arend, Craft & Draft. A local bar with an urban feeling, they have 40 beers on tap, offering the most international selection we had seen so far. And by the way, they also have great terrace!

Amsterdam is a top-recommended destination for all the craft beer lovers out there. We will definitely be back!

Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman