landmark
Brouwerij 't IJ
Amsterdam's craft brewery housed in the 1725 De Gooyer windmill: organic Dutch beers, an iconic terrace, and Friday-Sunday brewery tours.
Photo: Brouwerij 't IJ - Proeflokaal de Molen / Google
Brouwerij 't IJ is the windmill brewery — Amsterdam's most photographed beer producer, housed in the De Gooyer windmill at the eastern edge of the city. The windmill itself was built in 1725 and is one of the tallest wooden windmills in the Netherlands at 26 meters. The brewery, founded in 1985, occupies the adjacent building and uses the windmill grounds for its tasting room and outdoor terrace. The combination — medieval-era wooden tower, craft beer culture, an industrial-fringe location, locals on bikes — is exactly the version of Amsterdam most visitors come hoping to see.
What's brewed here
The brewery makes around 12 regular beers and rotating seasonals — Plzeň-style pilsner (Plzen), IJwit (witbier), IJndhoven (tripel, despite the name), Columbus (the flagship pale ale at 9% ABV), and several bock and stout variations through autumn and winter. All organic, mostly local ingredients, brewed in batches small enough that the staff at the bar can usually tell you when each was brewed.
The flagship is Columbus — a strong (9%) golden ale with citrus and herbal notes, named after the Dutch postal code for the brewery location. It's the beer most ordered, and the one that put 't IJ on the international craft-beer map in the late 2000s.
The tasting room
The proeflokaal (tasting room) and outdoor terrace are open daily 14:00-20:00. A flight of four beers costs €10; full glasses €5-6. The food selection is intentionally minimal — Dutch cheese plates, dried sausage, bitterballen. This is a place to drink, not a restaurant.
On warm summer afternoons the outdoor terrace fills by 15:00. The building has a no-reservation policy: walk in, find a seat, order at the bar. Cards accepted; cash also still works.
Brewery tours
Guided tours run Friday-Sunday afternoons, typically 15:00 and 16:00 — check brouwerijhetij.nl for the current schedule. €11 includes a 45-minute tour through the brewing facility (often with the brewers visible at work) and three beer samples. Dutch and English tours alternate; reserve via the website 1-2 weeks ahead for weekends.
What to expect
Tasting room is walk-in, no reservation. Tours require booking via brouwerijhetij.nl. The brewery is a 5-minute walk from tram 14 (Pontanusstraat stop) or 15-20 minutes' cycle from Centraal Station.
Card payment accepted; cash also welcome. The terrace is exposed — bring a jacket on cooler days. Children allowed in the tasting room until 19:00 with parents; the courtyard has space for kids to wander.
Tips from locals
Tuesday-Thursday afternoons are nearly empty and feel like the best version of the place. Save Friday-Sunday for the brewery tours.
Try the seasonal beers, not just Columbus. The Paasij (Easter ale) and Kerstij (Christmas ale) are limited-run and only available at the brewery.
On windy days the windmill sails actually turn — climb a bit up the staircase if you want a different photo angle.
The brewery doesn't serve full meals. For dinner after, walk 5 minutes to Café-Restaurant De Plantage or Hotel de Goudfazant.
Did you know?
The brewery sits at the foot of De Gooyer, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands.
It was founded in 1985 in a former public bathhouse.
Its logo is an ostrich with an egg — a visual pun, since the Dutch word for egg ('ei') sounds like the brewery's name, 't IJ.
It was one of the breweries that kickstarted Amsterdam's craft-beer revival.
On sunny days the terrace beneath the windmill is one of the most popular spots in Amsterdam Oost.
FAQ
- Do I need to book a brewery tour in advance?
- Yes for guaranteed entry on Fri-Sun. Book at brouwerijhetij.nl 1-2 weeks ahead for weekend tours. The tasting room itself is walk-in only, no reservation.
- Can I just have a beer without taking the tour?
- Yes — the proeflokaal (tasting room) is open 14:00-20:00 daily, no entry charge. Order at the bar.
- Are children allowed?
- Yes, in the tasting room until 19:00 accompanied by a parent. There's no kids' menu but soft drinks are available.
- Do you serve food?
- Bar snacks only — Dutch cheese plates, dried sausage, bitterballen, mixed nuts. Not a full restaurant.
- How do I get there from Centraal Station?
- Tram 14 to Pontanusstraat (about 12 minutes), then 5 minutes' walk. Or cycle along Plantage Middenlaan — 15 minutes from Centraal.
Brouwerij 't IJ, Amsterdam
Funenkade 7, 1018 AL, Amsterdam