Brouwerij 't Ij

Brewery / Drinking Activity / Pub / Tour
Brouwerij 't Ij Set under a classic, centuries-old Dutch windmill, the Brouwerij 't Ij is a Belgian-style and craft beer brewery that has been serving suds enthusiasts a freshly-tapped assortment of rich, micro-brewed beers since 1985. Amsterdam Holland 52.3667939 4.9265566
4.68 13
Brouwerij 't Ij - Brewery | Drinking Activity | Pub | Tour in Amsterdam.
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9 User Reviews
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Ratings:
Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review Set under a classic, centuries-old Dutch windmill, the Brouwerij 't Ij is a Belgian-style craft beer brewery that has been serving suds enthusiasts a freshly-tapped assortment of rich, micro-brewed beers since 1985. Just... ... read full review

  • Hours:

    Daily 3–8pm

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot

Party Earth Brouwerij 't Ij Review

The Scene

Set under a classic, centuries-old Dutch windmill, the Brouwerij 't Ij is a Belgian-style and craft beer brewery that has been serving suds enthusiasts a freshly-tapped assortment of rich, micro-brewed beers since 1985.

East / East Docks, Amsterdam –

Set under a classic, centuries-old Dutch windmill, the Brouwerij 't Ij is a Belgian-style craft beer brewery that has been serving suds enthusiasts a freshly-tapped assortment of rich, micro-brewed beers since 1985.

Just taking one step inside the door is enough to understand that it’s not just a simple windmill, but a brewery that’s steeped in its own product, from the sticky red floor to the beer-wet countertop of the long, standing-room-only bar.

The white-tiled walls are the only nod to the brewery’s past as a bathhouse, and those are mostly covered by photos of old friends and old windmills, as well as one of the largest collections of beer bottles in the city.

Beer is only sold at the very busy bar, so patrons should figure out their orders in advance. While they wait, they can also catch a glimpse of the beer-making process through the large window behind the bar before taking their order outside to the sunny, tree-lined terrace to join the good-natured clientele that gathers there.

Besides offering some of the best deals around for flavorful, fresh brews, Brouwerij 't Ij also provides a delightfully cozy Dutch atmosphere perfect for lazing away any sunny afternoon.

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Tip from Lucas:

Not on the menu is a beer sampler that includes your choice of five beers served in smaller tasting glasses. If you really want to know the ins and outs of the brewing process, tours of the brewery are offered every Friday through Sunday at 3:30 and 4pm.

  • Crowd

    Chatty and friendly mix of regulars, visitors, families, and couples of all ages.

  • Entertainment / Music

    No music, but the patrons do occasionally break into song. People-watching, story-swapping, and loud conversation. Brewery tours available F–Su at 3:30pm and 4pm.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    A modest menu of Dutch snacks known to blend well with beer, including peanuts, Trappist and local organic sheep’s-milk cheeses, hard boiled eggs, and a range of salami and sausages.

  • Prices

    Snacks €1–€5. Beer €2–€3, house wine €2.20. T-shirts featuring the brewery’s ostrich logo €15+. Tours €4.50 and includes one beer.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Anything goes.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    Any warm weekend afternoon, though it may be hard to find a spot on the terrace.

  • Close By

    If the brewery is closed, patrons can simply pick up some of the beers at the market across the street and then head to Oosterpark.

Tags:
All AgesAnything goesBeerBeer LoversBeer on TapBudget-friendlyConversationalCouplesFamilyLaid backLocalsMusiciansRegularsSmall PlatesSnack FoodSummerTerraceTourists

Brouwerij 't Ij User Reviews

Average rating:
The real Dutch experience!
Manu-san V.
Manu-san V. Aug 23, 2013
If you want to have a taste of something real Dutch, breath Dutch in a Dutch atmosphere, this is the place for you. The Brewerij is located inside an old windmill, overlooking Amsterdam and its canals, and on a walking distance from the Central Station. The beer is homemade, it is served in small glasses and you can choose from diferent kinds at the bar. I reccomend you to try it together with a plate of Dutch cheese with moustard, and if you are lucky on a sunny day to sit at one of the wood tables outside, surrounded by locals to get a real taste of anything that can be called Dutch. Dont forget: the Brewerij closes at 8.00pm!
Clean and Tasty
Slarti B.
Slarti B. Jun 19, 2013
Clean? Most places are clean... but the Brouwerij 't Ij is clean in a different way. The bar, the tables, the set up, even the friendly squat windmill watching over the proceedings is clean in a wholesome way. No pretensions, even among the beer lovers frequenting the place, who might have had the potential to get a little self-important. Whenever I go there it seems to be sunny and, although the staff could be a little more friendly, the atmosphere is always bubbly, international (although not in an overly touristy way) and slightly tipsy. The Brouwerij 't Ij beer is the beer that made me appreciate beer for the first time in my life and it must be stated that this is the most important reason for a visit to this brewery. With a beautifully high percentage, yet a taste that doesn't reveal any of the beer's true alcoholic nature, the Natte and the Zatte tinge the world with laughter for the duration of my visits to the brewery. If you're in Amsterdam this brewery is where you should be.
Much better than the Heneiken Experience
Eliza S.
Eliza S. Apr 15, 2013
The Heineken factory seems like an obvious and popular place to go for many visitors in Amsterdam but the windmill brewery is in fact much more worth your time. The brewery tour, although not entirely the most thrilling experience, gives you an insight into small local Dutch brewing instead of Heineken's impersonal mass-production scale. And the beer is damn damn good. For your first drink at the windmill I recommend ordering the taste-tester selection of 5 beers for 8 euro. This is the best way to get a feel for what you like, although all the beers are delicious so it might be hard to choose! I would also save your visit to the brewery for a sunny and warm day, as there is a large outside seating area of picnic tables. Since the sun shines very little in this city, when it does the positive energy of the fellow patrons at Brouwerij 't Ij is utterly contagious, and you're more than likely to spark up a conversation with an energetic local or other savvy travelers.
Literally meaning, Brewery on the Ij (big river in Amsterdam), this cafe as their own beers along with a great selection of beers from around the Netherlands.
Erik S.
Erik S. Feb 8, 2013
Literally meaning, Brewery on the Ij (big river in Amsterdam), this cafe as their own beers along with a great selection of beers from around the Netherlands and Belgium. It's an informal setting, perfect for a chill night out on there massive patio with a bunch of friends. You'll find it please to be served cold beers by tall Dutch ladies. They clearly drink milk! On a final note you'll also find the brewery's beers in other bars across town, most notably De Balie at Leidseplein, which shares a similar mood with an artsy vibe.
Only biergarten in Dam
Lalarumpelpumpel S.
Lalarumpelpumpel S. Dec 13, 2012
Yeah buddy this place is the best! I could hang here all day. I DO hang here all day. It's the only biergarten in Amsterdam! They serve it in very small glasses, but you can get used to it because the flavor is so strong and the alcohol percentage can get up to 8 or 9 per cent. I got for the normal pils, which tastes stronger than a normal beer. Then we hang outside usually when it's nice out, you can sit on the benches or under the windmill. And it's a great place to catch up with friends because there are no loud music things going on in the background.
My little second home
Stéphanie T.
Stéphanie T. Dec 3, 2012
My love story with the Brouwerij ‘t IJ began a bit more than 18 months ago and I still visit it at least once a week. I always joke that this is my summer house. The organic beer is produced on location and is just the tastier I have ever drunk. The selection is wide and seasonal beer appears on the menu every now and then. Small nibbles are available too, which is a good idea since the beer is quite strong. Drink 3 beers and you will befriend people sitting next to you on the giant outside tables ! Perfect spot to chill when it is sunny the place is also surprisingly packed during the winter too. Plus, the beer is ridiculously cheap so you have no excuse not to pay for the next round.
Why I live in Amsterdam?
Amster M.
Amster M. Nov 30, 2012
SOME people would say they place smells like infected beer and smelly cheese. I would say it smells like heaven. Yes, if heaven were a brewery it would be Brouwerij 't Ij, where the beer is always cheap, the choices are tasty, and the cheese is always served with celery salt. It's probably one of the main reasons why I live in the east side of the city. If they had live music I'd probably live there. I'm not even bothered by the early closing time, I'm thankful. And they released an IPA last year that will blow your local IPA out of the water. That's addictive stuff. I'll drink it for dinner: IPA, a cup of peanuts and a plate of kaas with celery salt. I even Google'd if it was possible to lose weight while sticking to a beer, peanuts and cheese diet. Turns out it is, but I haven't tried it. Yet.
Microbrew with an attitude
Craig B.
Craig B. Nov 15, 2012
First of all, take the tour. It's more than worth the four euros it costs, and you get a free beer along with it anyway, so it's basically free. The tour itself isn't very long (the brewery itself is only a few small rooms), neither is it very different from any American microbrew, but the tour guides are always fun and funny, if a little profane. You can learn a lot about a beer just by talking with the people who make it, and Brouwerij 't IJ is no exception. The founder was a punk musician way back in the day and he decided to start making Belgian-style beers in the Netherlands just because. Through all sorts of illegal activities (stealing, squating, and smuggling), he and his crew were able to get started and the new recruits haven't let up. It's also a great place to hang out, and the beer is phenomenal!
Great bar and relaxed atmosphere
Allison H.
Allison H. Sep 3, 2012
This bar is definitely a must-visit when in Amsterdam! While living there, it became my local bar. My friends and I would get drinks here once every few weeks. The beer is great. It is all made on site, and what is even better is it is strong in alcohol content! It is also is the only windmill in Amsterdam, so it is easy to find! The outside terrace is lined with long tables, which is perfect for large groups of people (which we always had). There is seating inside as well if it gets too chilly to be out. The walls are lined with shelves of old beer bottles, giving it a unique and old-school feel. It opens in the early afternoon and gets packed very fast. The crowd is mainly locals, and the environment is extremely relaxed. It is the perfect place to get a drink to unwind after work, class or a long day of exploring Amsterdam. I have not been in Amsterdam in a few months and I still miss this place. It is one of my favorite bars from anywhere in Europe.
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