Did you know?
- Jenever is a Dutch made gin-like drink that has achieved geographically protected destination status from the European Union. It’s a colorless or very pale brown drink taken as an aperitif or digestive. The taste comes from juniper berries and it’s 35% alcohol. You can find it under various names like pikketanissie, dröpke, neut, schiedammer and jonge klare.
- Dutch wine is a small but hearty industry, producing more than a million bottles a year. If you'd like to partake, look for a Regent which can either be a nice fruity rosé or a tannin rich wine, similar to a Merlot. Rubens are fresh Riesling types and Melody will satisfy the Pinot Blanc crowd.
- That beer makes you both funnier to your mates and more attractive to the opposite sex.
Amsterdam Bars and Beers Guide
PUBS
There are about 1200 pubs in Amsterdam, and with a population of about 700,000; that’s a lot of drinking holes. Many though only sell one brand on tap, usually a Dutch one. If you are looking for historical ambience above a wide beer selection, head towards the old town area of Singelgracht. Some of the hippest places can be found between Dam Square and Spui, while Warmoestraat in the Red Light District is cheap and cheerful
BEER
Beer for the most part is Dutch. Heineken is not surprisingly the most popular, in terms of sheer numbers, if not choice. Amstel follows fast on its heels. Amstel 1870 is worth trying if you’re in a pub that has it as is De Koninck while Urytp is an all malt lager. If you can find them, try some offers from smaller Dutch breweries like Gulpener, Christoffel and La Trappe. The majority of imports come from Belgium (Hoegaarden, Leffe, Stella Artois) but you can occasionally find some German and British contributions.
