[alikocho]

I'm off to Amsterdam (Netherlands), and was hoping for some tips on where to go to drink/buy beer.  Any advice?

[uthristy]

My standard reply:

Amsterdam--> interactive map: http://www.amsterdamer.supanet.com/
another map --> http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Map.html
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Beer pubs & stores>

In De Wildeman - Fav
Café Gollem - 2nd
Café Belgique - cozy
Café `t Arendsnest - only Dutch beers
De Bierkoning-beer store   
Cracked Kettle-beer store


__________________
A nice Amsterdam webcam to wave at like a tourist 
http://www.terena.org/webcam/
another:
http://www.eyelogue.com/donniecam.html

more maps and webcams   
http://www.amsterdam-red-light-district-maps.com/





__________________________

Need a list of the better Coffeeshops? 

[alikocho]

Any further advice on places to go and see would be greatly appreciated. MAny thanks for the above.

[skyler]

Check out a neighborhood called de Jordaan near the city center. That neighborhood has some of the coolest beer-centric taverns (or bruin caves) in Europe. Just walk around there and stumble into whatever bar you fancy. Many permit tobacco smoking, too, though it is technically prohibited.

[mikeypedersen]

I don't mean to hi-jack a thread.......but I'm going to Germany and Italy for a couple of weeks in August and have a 2.5 hour lay-over (wish it was more like 2.5 days!) in Amsterdam.  Anyone know if there are any good places in the airport there for beer?

[brewstev]

The Heineken Brewery is a fun place to stop and check out. You get three beers, a taster mid-tour, and some wort samples. Plus its not to far away from the other sites and museums,

[flapjack]

I was in Amsterdam back in 2005. I would recommend the Heineken Brewery tour as well, nothing better than having a heineken straight from the brewery. Here's a picture of us at the brewery  with Gary Dell'Abate(Baba Booey) & Sal Governale (Sal the Stockbroker) from the Howard Stern Show.


Also Don't forget to try the pomme frites with mayo & wash it down with a cold brew


I also remember the coffee shop called Dutch Flowers had a pretty good wit on tap, it was a nice laid-back place overlooking a canal

[abraxas]

I've heard there's a (biker?) bar somewhere with beer brewed with "cousin"   I'd love to try if I ever made it over.

(woops got on the Beer Travel and though it was still Unread...didn't mean to bump something old)....

[euge]

I've been there many times but in my younger formative years.

Recently one of my traveling friends told me that they serve beer in tiny glasses and will keep filling them until you place a coaster over the top. He says it's annoying but is offset by the beer prices being cheap.

True? Not sure.

[capozzoli]

If you feel like a little train ride, check out Haarlem. Its a really cool little town that has lots of brewing history. It also has a real old park, I think maybe one of the oldest. It is like a medieval  forest.  Loads of fun for hiking.

There is also another great big forest park there. I cant remember the name but in it has a great art museum at its center. It boasts one of the largest collections of Van Gougs in the world. Lots of other good stuff too. They still have the white bicycles there,  or at least did have them when I was there about 7 years ago. You can ride them around the park.

[euge]

We would stay in Haarlem alot at Hotel Lion d'or. Its more quiet in Haarlem and a short train ride to Amsterdam.

They've remodeled the hotel I believe. Nice place.

[uthristy]

Just a heads-up about Amsterdam,> the EU court ruled  in favor of the Dutch goverment banning tourist from the coffeeshops.

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2010/12/eu_court_clears_the_way_for_to.php

Right now its being fast tracked in Maastricht & border towns with plans for the entire country.So if you ever wanted to visit the famous coffeeshops of Amsterdam you better go asap, my Dutch bud`s  all think its just a matter of time now :cry:

Such a shame but it is their country.


.the Netherlands Tourism and Congresses Bureau (NBTC), the decision will have negative effects on foreign tourism in the Netherlands. "And certainly in Amsterdam,"
http://www.nisnews.nl/public/231110_1.htm

[euge]

As I understand it "bad for business" is an anathema to the Dutch psyche. Which this certainly will be to some extent.

Watching this with amusement.

[EHall]

I was station in Netherlands for 2yrs... best part of my military career!
There are pubs all over the place, all you have to do is start walking and you'll find one... they usually have a really good selection of dutch, belgian and english beers in them...

As for the putting coaster over your glass when you're done... If you go into any pub and order a 'pils', you're going to get that small glass he mentions and if you're sitting at the bar, they will keep filling it for you until you put your coaster over it...if you're at a table they'll come around and ask if you want another round... My buddies and I would go into a pub and order 30 pils... there are no pitchers over there. But they can put about 12-15 of those glasses on one tray then put another tray on top and fill it up then bring it to your table... we'd just sit and BS and drink.. no need to constantly wave down a waiter, just sit back, drink, talk, birdwatch and have a good time! I sure miss that place! And if you've never been to the red light district, you have to go at least walk around. Whether you participate or not its something you have to see.

As far as I remember you could buy beer at the airport but there were no bars there at that time, just in the food court area. and there wasn't anything 'near by' the airport as far as waiting for a layover... but all you have to do is ask a cabbie.

[uthristy]

As I understand it "bad for business" is an anathema to the Dutch psyche.

The "winds of change" have been blowing hard for a number of now so I don't see much give on this from Geert Wilders.

Maybe Adrie could give some info from a Dutchman`s point of view.