Amsterdam Heineken Experience
An interactive experience built around one of the World’s most famous beers
Amsterdam Heineken Experience – is it a museum? Kind of. Is it an experience? Definitely, as most things are, but this one is pretty unique and probably is a lot more than you were expecting from a brewery visit.
The Heineken brewery is over 150 years old and is steeped in heritage in the heart of Amsterdam. It closed in 1988 due to the demand for Heineken overwhelming its ability to manufacture enough beer. Heineken production moved outside of the city and in 2001 the Heineken Experience was created. This transformed the old brewery into a visitor attraction that has since become one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam.
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Tickets for Amsterdam Heineken Experience
There are plenty of different types of ticket available for the Heineken Experience. Tickets are often combined with other attractions, group tickets, specialist tours based around brewing beer in Amsterdam and just the standard entry ticket. Entry is also included with the Go City Amsterdam Pass which is a tourist pass that gains you entry to a variety of attractions across Amsterdam for a lot less money than buying tickets individually.
The main Heineken tickets are:
Standard entry ticket, self-guided tour. Access for 1.5hrs at specific timeslot booked in advance. Two chilled Heineken beers.
€23pp
Standard entry ticket, self-guided tour. Access for 1.5hrs at specific timeslot booked in advance plus access to the rooftop for lovely views across Amsterdam.
Three chilled Heineken beers are included (2 are had in the ‘Best Dam Bar’, the other up at the roof top).
€27.50pp
Unique 2.5hr tour with professional guide. Behind the scenes access to hidden bar, personalised Heineken gift.
€59.50pp
Combine football and beer with this ticket that gives you access to the Heineken Experience and the Johan Cruijff ArenA. These are self-guided tours and transfers are not included.
€33pp
This tickets includes two Amsterdam attractions. You receive standard entry to the Heineken Experience and entry to Our House electronic music museum.
€34pp
The I Amsterdam City Card includes a 25% discount on tickets to the Heineken Experience and free entry to a host of other big attractions in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Heineken Experience 2024 opening times
The Heineken Experience is open for specific timeslots only, so tickets must be booked online in advance.
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sunday: 10.30am till 7.30pm (last entry 5.15pm)
Friday & Saturday: 10.30am -till 9pm (last entry at 6.45pm)
What to expect at the Heineken Experience
We are not affionado’s of beer, but know a little bit about marketing. If you think we are about to suggest it is a marketing gimmick cloaked as an attraction, you would be wrong. Sure, it is a fabulous brand engagement exercise which immerses you in all that is Heineken. It is also situated in the genuine historic brewery responsible for the birth of the beer. So, it would be hard not to become a brand ambassador after the experience (they even call you brand ambassadors on their website). But, there is a lot to like about this experience even if you are not a big fan of beer.
Self-guided tour at Heineken Experience
The tour itself is self-guided and lasts around 1.5hrs. There is the option to take the VIP guided tour which takes 2.5hrs and as you are with a knowledgeable guide is more detailed, with a bonus VIP access only stop. Your smart phone is a major benefit on the standard tour as there is an app to download that will help you on your way around and can be changed to your first language (if it is not English). Although the VIP tour will give you your very own guide, there are still members of the Heineken team dotted around the brewery who will answer questions and help you along the way if you are self-guiding.
Interactive elements
The tour is very interactive, so not only do you see the old brewery and how the pilsner was brewed, but you can get to stir the water, grind the barley and taste the wort. There is also an interactive ride ‘Brew-U’ that takes you on a journey inside the barrel to see the process in action. There are other interactive stops and games along the way that will keep you entertained and educated.
History of Heineken
As you move through you’ll discover the history of the brewery, the company and how from such small beginnings their beer became one of the biggest brands in the world. There are lots of details about its advertising history, posters, adverts and bottles and there is a shop where you can have your own bottle designed and buy other memorabilia. You may have seen these bottles in your friends houses already, so this is your chance to get your own.
End with a chilled beer, well two actually
As the tour comes with two free beers you’ll end up in the Best ‘Dam’ Bar to enjoy a perfect beer that you will probably enjoy even more now you know everything about how it came into existence.
The Heineken Experience is a brand experience, but one done so well that you will quite happily be one of their ‘ambassadors’ afterwards. It is a short (or you can stay longer in the bar) experience which makes it a great place to visit along with some other Amsterdam attractions in a day and could be great place to start your evening in Amsterdam.
Where is the Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is on the canal side in central Amsterdam near the museum district. As the tour experience is for an estimated 1.5hrs, you’ll find plenty of other attractions worth visiting close by. Rjiksmuseum, Albert Cuyp Market, Stedelijk Museum and the famous Van Gogh Museum are all easy walking distance away. Another alcohol related experience is located by Museumplein, House of Bols is a very popular immersive experience looking at the world of cocktails.
To get to the Heineken Experience you can take trams 1, 7, 19 or 24, and metro 52 which stop close by.
You can view our specialist page on Amsterdam Trams to learn about using the iconic blue and white trams or visit our page on public transport in Amsterdam for full details of transport available in the city.
Amsterdam Heineken Experience address:
Stadshouderskade 78, 1072 AE
Accessibility at the Heineken Experience
This attraction is an old brewery that makes it more difficult in terms of accessibility. However, Heineken Experience are aware of this and as such request that when booking your ticket you check the accessibility box so that they can make necessary preparations for you to enjoy the tour to its fullest. Weekdays are likely to be quieter and make the visit easier too.
Heineken Experience and current coronavirus restrictions
There are no current restrictions in place. If you visit and coronavirus restrictions hve been put back in place, the groups are smaller and more intimate, each one also has its own guide attached to it for free. You will need a face mask.
These restrictions and rules change, so even if booking in advance, it is worth checking what rules are currently in place just before your visit, just in case things have changed from the normal.
