Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Amsterdam’s cheese culture gets a practical introduction in this compact tasting. You sample five Gouda cheeses while learning how Dutch cheese is made, aged, and paired with wine. The session also tells the story of Old Amsterdam and its family-run maker, Westland Kaasspecialiteiten.

I like the three wine pairings, especially because red, white, and port give the cheeses very different partners. I also like the friendly teaching style reported from hosts such as Aris, Rik, Roberta, and Maria. The main drawback is simple: the tasting room is upstairs by stairs, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points at a glance

• Five Gouda cheeses: Compare different ages, styles, and milk types, including cow and goat cheeses mentioned during the tastings.
• Three wine matches: Try one red, one white, and one port wine selected to suit the cheese.
• Old Amsterdam story: Learn about the famous brand and the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business.
• Useful extras: Fig bread and water help clear your palate between samples.
• 20% shop discount: Buy more cheese downstairs after the tasting at a reduced price.
• Short city break fit: The session lasts 45 minutes and works well between Amsterdam sights.

A cheese lesson that takes only 45 minutes

The Old Amsterdam Cheese Store is the meeting point, and the tasting room is upstairs from the shop. This makes the activity easy to fit into a day in central Amsterdam, especially if you want a food experience without giving up half a day.

The advertised session lasts 45 minutes. That is enough time to taste five cheeses and three wines, but not enough for a full farm visit or a hands-on cheese-making class. I would treat it as a guided introduction rather than a complete look at Dutch dairy production.

The room is described as cozy and private, with air conditioning noted during one summer session. That matters in Amsterdam, where a warm afternoon in a small tasting room can quickly become uncomfortable. The group may be small, though it can hold around 18 people, so the amount of personal attention can vary.

The host speaks English. The tone is not a formal lecture. Hosts including Aris and Rik are repeatedly praised for making the talk funny and social, while Roberta and Maria are noted for clear explanations. You should expect an upbeat presentation with plenty of room for questions.

Five Gouda cheeses, five small lessons

The tasting centers on five Gouda cheeses. You will not simply be handed a plate and left to guess what you are eating. The host explains how cheese is made and how aging changes its flavor and texture.

That comparison is the real value of the session. Gouda is often treated as one broad category, but the tasting shows how much variety sits under that name. You may compare younger and older cheeses, along with cow and goat versions. The supplied details do not provide the exact five varieties served at every session, so the selection may change.

The host also explains the cheese-making process and the aging period. You learn why a cheese can become firmer and more intense over time, and how those changes affect the wine that suits it. This is useful information you can take into a Dutch cheese shop later, instead of buying only by brand name or attractive packaging.

The portions are tasting portions, not a full meal. Several accounts describe them as generous enough for the lesson, while one notes that the pieces are small but sufficient. I would have a meal before or after if you are hungry. The point is to compare flavors, not replace lunch.

Old Amsterdam and the Westland family story

One part of the session focuses on Old Amsterdam, one of the Netherlands’ best-known cheeses. You hear about the brand, its production, and the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business behind it.

The exact recipes are kept within the family, but the presentation gives you some background on the company and its different brands. This adds a useful human element to the tasting. You are not only learning about a generic Dutch product. You are hearing how one cheese business developed and how its signature cheese became widely recognized.

Do not expect a factory tour. The cheese-making takes place elsewhere, and the Amsterdam activity is a tasting with instruction. Still, the company background helps explain why Old Amsterdam has such a strong place in Dutch food culture.

The shop downstairs also lets you continue the experience at your own pace. You can try more cheeses, compare products that were not included in the formal tasting, and use the 20% discount on purchases. The discount is particularly useful if you already know you want to take cheese home.

Why the wine pairings matter

Three wines are served: one red, one white, and one port. They are selected by a sommelier to work with the cheeses, rather than being added as a general drink option.

That distinction matters. A firm, aged cheese can taste quite different with a red wine than with a sweeter port. A milder cheese may work better with a white wine. The session gives you a chance to notice these changes while the cheese and wine are still fresh in front of you.

The wines also break up the five cheese samples. Fig bread and water are included to clear your palate between tastings. Water is especially welcome if you are visiting on a busy sightseeing day, and the fig bread gives the session a little sweetness and texture.

The amount of wine can depend on the host and the pace of the group. Some sessions have been described as generous, and one account says a refill was available. I would not book this as a wine-tasting tour, though. Cheese is the main subject, and the wine is there to show how pairing works.

You must be at least 18 to drink alcohol. If someone in your party is younger, the information provided does not specify a separate nonalcoholic tasting arrangement, so check before booking.

The hosts make the difference

The strongest feature of this experience is the human delivery. The cheese and wine need to be good, but a dull explanation would make five samples feel repetitive. Here, the hosts are frequently described as funny, warm, engaging, and willing to answer questions.

Aris is singled out for turning the session into a lively event, with several accounts noting his humor and friendly manner. Rik is praised for explaining wine pairing and the cheese-making process. Roberta is noted for her background on the family business, Gouda, and the wines, while Maria is described as clear and personable.

These names reflect hosts who have led sessions, not a guarantee that a particular person will be working on your date. Still, the pattern tells you something useful about the activity: its success depends partly on the presenter, and the format allows personality to matter.

I like that this is not presented as a solemn tasting where you need expert vocabulary. You can ask basic questions about aging, cow versus goat milk, or what to serve with a particular cheese. The goal is to help you taste with more confidence, not test you.

The shop discount can change the value

At $23 per person, this is a reasonable price for a short guided tasting in Amsterdam. You receive five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, instruction, and a 20% discount in the shop.

The value is strongest if you enjoy food education and plan to buy cheese afterward. A cheese shop tasting without the discount might feel like a pleasant but brief snack. Here, the purchase saving can offset part of the cost, especially if you are buying several items or sharing purchases with friends and family.

Several people have left with cheese, including Old Amsterdam goat cheese and truffle Gouda. The shop gives you a chance to buy a favorite from the session rather than guessing from a large display.

There is one practical caution. A 20% discount is only useful if you actually want to buy something, and Dutch cheese may not travel well in every luggage setup. Consider how you will carry it, particularly if you have a long journey ahead or are traveling with only a small bag.

Where it fits in an Amsterdam day

The 45-minute length makes this easy to pair with other plans. You might schedule it before a museum visit, after a canal-area walk, or during a shopping stop. Since the meeting point is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, allow enough time to find the shop and arrive without rushing.

The activity is indoors, which gives you a useful option on a rainy afternoon or during hot weather. One session was praised for its air-conditioned tasting room, and the shop setting provides a break from the streets.

The room is reached only by stairs on the first floor. This is the clearest limitation of the activity. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and anyone who finds stairs difficult should choose another cheese experience or contact the provider before reserving.

A bathroom is available on-site, according to one account. That is a small point, but it is handy during a tasting with wine, especially if you are continuing on to another part of the city.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

I would recommend this to you if you enjoy trying local food but prefer a short, structured activity. It suits couples, friends, families with adult children, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a small group.

It is also a good choice for anyone who thinks they already know Gouda but has not compared several versions side by side. The cow and goat cheeses, age differences, and wine matches give you more to notice than a single cheese sample in a shop.

The format works well for a birthday or a relaxed group outing. The hosts’ playful style can make the session feel social, and the tasting does not require specialist knowledge.

I would skip it if you want a full meal, a farm visit, or a detailed production tour. I would also skip it if you dislike wine, cannot climb stairs, or are looking for a quiet, highly formal tasting. The room can hold around 18 people, so a lively group atmosphere is possible.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity is offered in English and includes an instructor or host. The price is $23 per person, and the stated duration is 45 minutes.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Amsterdam plans are still shifting.

Check the available starting times for your date. The information provided does not list fixed daily departures, so do not assume the tasting runs at every hour.

Remember that the tasting room is upstairs and reachable only by stairs. Alcohol is served, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam tasting?

Book it if you want an affordable, cheerful introduction to Dutch cheese with enough explanation to make the tasting worthwhile. The strongest reasons are the five-cheese comparison, the three wine pairings, and the hosts’ ability to keep the talk lively.

The 20% shop discount adds value if you plan to buy cheese, and the short length makes this easy to place between major Amsterdam sights. I would especially recommend it to first-time visitors who want a local food experience without committing to a long excursion.

Think twice if stairs are a problem, if you need a full lunch, or if you want to see cheese being made on a farm. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to taste more thoughtfully, learn a few useful Dutch cheese facts, and leave with a better idea of what to put on your next cheese board.

FAQ

Where does the cheese tasting take place?

Meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in Amsterdam. The tasting room is on the first floor of the store.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is 45 minutes. Check the available starting times when booking.

Which cheeses and wines are included?

You receive five different Gouda cheeses, including Old Amsterdam as part of the presentation. The tasting includes one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine, plus fig bread and water.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The host or greeter and the activity language are English.

Can I buy cheese after the tasting?

Yes. You can try more cheeses in the shop downstairs and receive a 20% discount on shop purchases.

Is the activity accessible to people with mobility impairments?

No. The tasting room is accessible only by stairs, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.