Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Amsterdam’s cheese tasting is a short, sociable lesson in one of the Netherlands’ best-known foods. Upstairs from the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, you sample five Gouda cheeses while learning how milk, aging, and cheese-making methods change the final taste. Three wines, fig bread, and water keep the tasting moving.

I like the clear wine pairings, especially the chance to compare red, white, and port with different cheeses. I also like the personal touch: hosts such as Aris, Rik, Roberta, and Maria have been praised for mixing useful explanations with plenty of humor. The main drawback is simple: the tasting room is reached by stairs, so this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Five Gouda cheeses: Compare young and aged styles, including cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses.
• Three wine matches: The tasting includes one red, one white, and one port wine selected for the cheese.
• Old Amsterdam story: Learn about the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business and its famous Old Amsterdam brand.
• Short but social: The session lasts 45 minutes and can suit a busy sightseeing day or a rainy afternoon.
• Useful shopping bonus: You receive 20% off purchases in the cheese shop downstairs.
• Adults only for alcohol: You must be at least 18 to drink the wine.

A 45-minute introduction to Dutch cheese

The appeal here is focus. You are not being sent through a large museum or a broad food tour. You sit down with a board of cheese, a few glasses of wine, and a host who explains what you are tasting.

That makes this a good choice if you want a compact Amsterdam activity between canal walks, museums, or shopping. Forty-five minutes is long enough to learn the basics without taking over your day. It is also short enough to fit into an afternoon plan without much reshuffling.

The tone appears to depend partly on the host, but the strongest sessions have been both funny and informative. Aris is often praised for his energy and easy manner, while Rik has been singled out for his explanations of cheese aging and wine pairing. Other hosts, including Roberta, Maria, Ron, and Ares, have also led engaging tastings.

I would not book this expecting a quiet, formal lecture. The room can be lively, and the best part of the experience is the interaction. You can ask questions, compare reactions with the people at your table, and learn a few simple rules for pairing cheese at home.

What happens when you arrive at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then go upstairs to the tasting room. The room is on the first floor and can only be reached by stairs, a detail that matters if anyone in your group has difficulty with steps.

The setting is more intimate than a large food hall. One account described a group of only two couples, while the room can hold about 18 people. Group size may vary, but you should expect a shared session rather than a private tasting.

That social format works well for this kind of activity. Cheese is easy to discuss, and the host can move from general points about Dutch cheese to practical questions about flavor, aging, and wine. Some sessions have included families, couples, and small groups celebrating a birthday.

The shop downstairs is part of the experience, even though the actual tasting takes place above it. You can look at more cheeses after the session, and the 20% discount gives you a reason to wait before making purchases.

Five Gouda cheeses, five lessons in flavor

The heart of the session is a tasting of five Gouda cheeses. You are not simply handed a plate and left to guess what you like. The host explains how cheese is made and how age changes texture and flavor.

Young Gouda tends to be milder and softer, while more mature cheese can be firmer and more pronounced. The point is not to memorize technical terms. It is to notice how a few months or years of aging can make the same broad cheese style taste very different.

The tasting can also include both cow’s milk and goat’s milk Gouda. That comparison is useful because goat cheese often has a more distinct character. One especially memorable favorite for some participants has been young goat Gouda, while Old Amsterdam goat cheese has also drawn strong interest in the shop.

You will likely receive modest tasting pieces rather than a full meal. That is enough for comparison, but you should not book this as lunch. The portions are designed to help you taste five varieties and match them with wine.

Fig bread and water are included. The fig bread offers sweetness between samples, while water helps clear your palate. These small additions matter because five cheeses can begin to blur together if you taste them too quickly.

The story behind Old Amsterdam

One useful feature is the attention given to Old Amsterdam. The host explains the background of the brand and the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business connected with its production.

You will hear about cheese-making traditions, the way cheese is produced and aged, and the different brands associated with the business. The exact recipes remain a family secret, but the session gives you a few clues about what shapes the finished cheese.

This section adds context without turning the activity into a factory visit. You do not tour a farm or watch the cheese being made on site. Instead, you learn how the process works while tasting the result.

That is valuable in Amsterdam, where cheese appears in nearly every food shop. After this session, you can make more sense of the labels and displays. You will also have a better idea why one Gouda is mild and creamy while another is hard, salty, or more intense.

Three wines chosen for the cheese

The wine pairing is more than a free drink on the side. You receive one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine, with the host explaining why each works with particular cheeses.

I like this structure because it gives the tasting a clear rhythm. You try the cheese on its own, taste it with wine, and then decide how the pairing changes the flavor. Port can bring out a different side of an aged cheese, while white or red wine may suit milder or firmer varieties.

The wines are served as part of the tasting rather than as a separate wine lesson. If you want an expert-level discussion of grape varieties or Dutch wine production, this is not the right activity. The focus remains cheese.

Still, the pairing adds real value to the $23 price. You are tasting five cheeses and three wine styles while receiving a short lesson from the host. Some sessions have also allowed a refill when requested, though I would treat that as a courtesy rather than a promised part of the experience.

Because alcohol is served, the minimum drinking age is 18. Anyone under that age should not expect to take part in the wine portion.

Why the guide matters so much

The ingredients are straightforward, so the host has a large effect on the experience. A flat presentation would make five cheese samples feel repetitive. A warm and funny host can turn the same board into a lively lesson.

Aris has been praised for being entertaining while still answering questions clearly. Rik has been noted for explaining how cheese is aged and how wine pairing works. Roberta has been credited with covering cheese production, the family business, Gouda, and wine in a way that remained fun. Maria and Ron have also received praise for clear presentations.

The different names suggest that you may not have one fixed presenter every day. I would expect the format to remain similar, but the exact jokes, examples, and pace can vary.

That is not necessarily a weakness. A good host can adjust to the group. If people want to ask questions, the session can become more interactive. If the room is eager to move through the board, the tasting may feel brisker.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, I consider this a fair price for a short Amsterdam activity. You receive five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, instruction, and a 20% discount in the shop.

The value is strongest if you enjoy both cheese and wine. Buying similar items separately could cost a reasonable amount, but you would miss the comparisons and explanations. The host helps you understand what you are tasting rather than simply giving you food samples.

The discount can also make a difference if you already planned to buy Dutch cheese. It does not mean you need to shop afterward, but it gives you a chance to use the lesson right away. You can choose a favorite Gouda, pick up Old Amsterdam goat cheese, or try a flavored variety such as truffle Gouda.

I would not count on the discount to make the activity pay for itself. Buy only what you genuinely want to carry home. The tasting is worth judging on its own.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to couples, small groups, food-minded families with adults over 18, and anyone looking for an easy indoor activity. It also works well for a birthday outing because the session is social and lighthearted rather than formal.

You do not need advanced knowledge of cheese or wine. The host starts with the basics, and the tasting format makes the information easy to follow. If you are already an expert, you may find the lesson introductory, but the side-by-side comparisons can still be enjoyable.

This is less suitable if you want a full meal, a farm visit, or a long tour of Dutch food culture. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments because the tasting room is upstairs and accessible only by stairs.

The activity is conducted in English. If you are comfortable with English conversation, you should be able to follow the presentation and ask questions.

Practical tips for making the most of it

Try not to arrive expecting a large lunch. The cheese portions are enough for tasting, but I would plan another meal later if you are hungry.

Pay attention to the order of the cheeses. Taste each one before reaching for the wine, then try the pairing again. This gives you a clearer sense of what the wine adds.

Keep water nearby and use the fig bread between samples. The sweetness of the bread can help reset your palate, but I would avoid eating too much of it before tasting the cheese.

If a particular cheese catches your attention, ask about it before leaving. The host can often explain its style, age, or pairing. Then use the 20% shop discount downstairs if you decide to take some home.

Finally, leave a little flexibility after the 45-minute session. The tasting itself is short, but browsing the shop can add time, especially if you are choosing among several Goudas.

Should you book this cheese tasting?

Book it if you want a friendly, low-effort way to understand Dutch Gouda, especially if wine pairings appeal to you. The price is sensible, the session fits neatly into a sightseeing day, and the shop discount is useful for anyone planning to buy cheese.

Skip it if you need step-free access, want a substantial meal, or prefer a detailed production tour. For most food lovers, though, this is a well-focused Amsterdam activity: five cheeses, three wines, a lively English-speaking host, and enough background to make the tasting mean something.

FAQ

Where does the cheese tasting take place?

The meeting point is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in Amsterdam. The tasting room is on the first floor above the shop.

How long does the activity last?

The cheese tasting lasts 45 minutes.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different Gouda cheeses.

Which wines are included?

The tasting includes one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine.

Is Old Amsterdam cheese included?

Yes. The session includes information about Old Amsterdam and samples cheese made by the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business.

Is food included besides cheese?

Fig bread and water are included with the cheese tasting.

Can I buy cheese after the tasting?

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

Is the tasting suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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