A tour of the former Heineken brewery is a must if you like beer! Enjoy the self-guided tour and the interactive exhibits dedicated to this famous lager. You’ll find out the history of the brand and how it developed, and learn the secrets of the brewing process that turns hops and malted barley into this prized drink
The exhibition is housed in the Bierbrouwerij, an old brick building that was a working brewery until 1988. Today’s Heineken Experience opened following extensive renovation work in 2008, although care has been taken to preserve much of the historic interior.
Start by discovering the story of Gerard Adriaan Heineken who bought the Old Haystack brewery in 1864. His award-winning recipe and brewing techniques led to him becoming one the most famous beer manufacturers of his time. Heineken is no longer brewed on this site. Production moved to Zoeterwoude instead.
In the Old Brew Room, there’s authentic equipment such as the large mash tuns used for boiling up the barley. If you have any questions, staff are always on hand to explain the processes that once took place in this high-ceilinged heart of the brewery.
Take a seat in the 4-D roller coaster multimedia experience for a light-hearted take on events from the perspective of a bottle of beer. Try the Draught Challenge to test your skills at pouring and bottling your very own Heineken. Don’t miss the Stable Walk where you can admire the magnificent Clydesdale horses that are still used to pull the promotional wooden beer carts around Amsterdam.
Unsurprisingly, your self-guided tour finishes in the Tasting Bar, where you’ll be treated to a couple of fresh Heineken beers in futuristic-looking surroundings. Get into the party mood with the disco, or just quietly savour your drink. The gift shop sells a great range of beer-themed souvenirs.
The Heineken Experience is open daily except for certain public holidays, and the tour takes approximately two hours. Arrive early to beat the crowds, or book your tickets in advance via the official website. The closest tram stop is Stadhouderskade, and the hop-on, hop-off cruise stops at the Heineken landing stage. Car parking spaces are very limited.
