Brouwerij 't IJ is a marvellous local tasting room and brewery located in a former bath house next to the IJ river and the iconic ‘De Gooyer’ windmill. The black coloured windmill known more commonly as ‘Molen van Oost’ is included within the brewery’s logo, as this is where the malt was ground in the early days of the brewery’s existence. 

It’s one of Amsterdam’s best spots for local craft beers and was opened by the former musician ‘Kaspar Peterson’ in 1985. This small-scale brewery grew in popularity with locals who were looking for something a bit different to the traditional run of the mill beer offerings and they are now known for their creative and experiential flavours, which, in their own way, provide a taste of Amsterdam.

They brew around twelve standard beers and three seasonal beers, plus their limited-edition batches. I went for their IPA but I’d really recommend ordering a tasting flight so you can experience a whole host of different brews. Along with their IPA they are famous for their Zatte Tripel, IJwit and Natte Dubbel.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday you’re able to take a tour of their brew house. You can register at the bar and the tour commences around 15:30 and lasts approx. 20 minutes, but make sure to reserve your spot early as it’s only limited to 20 spaces. (Make sure to check their website incase tour dates / times change here).

As I visited in summer one of my favourite things about this location was the outdoor terrace, which provided a great atmosphere and the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon.

Tip: If you love the beers here, they also have a second location called 't Blauwe Theehuis in Vondelpark.