Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Amsterdam’s cheese scene gets far more interesting when you taste five different Goudas side by side, rather than simply picking up a souvenir wedge. This short session explains how cheese is made and aged, then matches each sample with red wine, white wine, or port.

I like the clear focus and the chance to learn about Old Amsterdam, made by the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business. I also like the practical 20% shop discount, which gives you a good reason to taste before buying. The main drawback is the short running time: 45 minutes goes quickly, and the room is reached by stairs.

Key points at a glance

• Five Gouda cheeses: Compare different ages, styles, and examples made from cow’s and goat’s milk.
• Three wine pairings: Try one red, one white, and one port selected to suit the cheeses.
• Old Amsterdam story: Hear about the family business and the closely guarded recipes behind one of the Netherlands’ best-known cheeses.
• Lively English-speaking hosts: Aris, Rik, Roberta, and other presenters have made the session both funny and informative.
• 20% shop saving: Use the discount downstairs if you find a cheese worth taking home.
• Stairs to the tasting room: The first-floor room is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

A cheese lesson inside the Old Amsterdam shop

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then head upstairs to the tasting room. This is not a farm visit or a full cheesemaking workshop. It is a compact tasting class in central Amsterdam, built around explanation, sampling, and wine.

That distinction matters. If you want to see cows, aging rooms, or cheese being produced from start to finish, this is not the right outing. If you want an easy introduction to Dutch cheese without leaving the city, it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon.

The room has been described as cozy and private, with air conditioning available. That last detail can matter on a warm Amsterdam day, especially when you want to focus on the food instead of hunting for a cool place to sit. A bathroom is also available on-site.

The group can reach around 18 people, though the atmosphere may feel more personal when fewer people attend. A small group gives you more room to ask questions, while a full room may bring more energy and laughter. Either way, the host leads the session in English.

Five Goudas, five different lessons

The tasting board is the heart of the activity. You sample five Gouda cheeses and learn to notice changes in texture, salt, sharpness, and age. The point is not simply to decide which one tastes best. It is to understand why cheeses made in the same broad Dutch tradition can feel so different in your mouth.

The session covers the cheese-making process and the aging period. That basic framework helps you make sense of the board. A younger Gouda can feel softer and milder, while a more mature cheese may bring a firmer bite and stronger flavor. The tasting lets you compare those differences in a direct, useful way.

The selection can include both cow’s milk and goat’s milk Gouda. That is an important detail for anyone who assumes Gouda is one fixed style. Goat’s milk brings its own character, and one tasting participant especially enjoyed the young goat cheese. If you like trying less familiar versions of classic foods, pay close attention to that sample.

You also receive fig bread and water. The fig bread adds a sweet note between cheeses, while water helps clear your palate. Portions are tasting portions rather than a full meal, though several sessions have been described as generous. I would still book this as a food activity, not as lunch.

What makes Old Amsterdam worth hearing about

Old Amsterdam is not presented as just another cheese on the board. You learn about the Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business, its family background, its cheese production, and the different brands connected with the company.

The recipes are kept within the family, so you will not receive a complete formula. That is part of the appeal. The host can explain the broad process and offer clues about what shapes the taste, while the exact details remain private.

The story gives the tasting more context than a simple shop sample. You are not only eating a piece of aged cheese. You are learning why a particular brand has become so closely linked with Dutch food culture.

The shop downstairs is useful after the session. You can try more cheeses and use the 20% discount on purchases. Some people have bought Old Amsterdam goat cheese, truffle Gouda, and other varieties after finding a favorite upstairs. The discount does not erase the cost of a purchase, but it improves the value if you already planned to bring cheese home.

Three wines that change the cheese

The wine pairing includes one red wine, one white wine, and one port. A sommelier selects the wines to match the cheeses, and the host explains how the combinations work.

This is more useful than simply serving wine alongside cheese. You can test how a sip of wine changes the taste of the sample in your mouth. A cheese that seems quite salty or sharp on its own may feel rounder with the right wine. Port brings a sweeter contrast, while red and white wines offer different ways to balance the cheeses.

The port is also helpful for showing that cheese pairing does not have to follow one rule. You are not being taught a rigid list of correct matches. Instead, you get a few examples that you can repeat at home with other cheeses and drinks.

Wine pours have been described as generous, and additional wine has sometimes been available when requested. Still, the official format includes three wines, not unlimited drinking. The legal drinking age for alcohol in the Netherlands is 18, so younger participants can attend only if the booking arrangement allows it, but they may not drink the wine.

The host can make or break the 45 minutes

The format is simple, so the presenter matters a great deal. Strong hosts do more than recite facts. They explain the cheese clearly, answer questions, keep the group moving, and add humor without letting the tasting turn into a lecture.

Aris has received especially strong praise for being funny, friendly, and engaging. Rik has been noted for explaining wine pairings and cheese production with care. Roberta has also led sessions covering the family business, Gouda, aging, and wine. Other hosts have been described as warm, professional, and entertaining.

Because staff can change, you should not book on the assumption that one named person will lead your session. The useful point is that the activity depends on an English-speaking host who can adapt to the group. The best sessions appear to mix facts with plenty of questions and laughter.

I like that this is not presented as a formal lecture. You learn the basics, taste immediately, and then use what you have learned on the next sample. That back-and-forth suits people who prefer doing something to simply listening.

Why the $23 price can work well

At $23 per person, the activity is fairly priced for Amsterdam if you value a guided tasting rather than just a free sample in a shop. The ticket covers five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, and the presentation. The 20% shop discount adds extra value if you make a purchase afterward.

The price is less compelling if you want a large meal. Five tasting portions may leave you ready for dinner, especially if you have skipped lunch. The experience works best as a focused snack and lesson.

The value also depends on your interest in wine. If you do not drink alcohol, three pairings are a major part of what you are paying for. If you enjoy learning how food and wine work together, the tasting gives you more than a standard cheese plate.

At 45 minutes, it is also easy to fit around other plans. You are not giving up half a day for a short introduction to Dutch cheese. On the other hand, the time limit means you should ask questions as they arise. There is not much spare time for a slow, unstructured tasting.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in North Holland’s Amsterdam area. You go to the first-floor tasting room by stairs, so this activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The experience is offered in English, with an instructor or greeter leading the session. Check the available start times because the 45-minute activity does not run at one universal time.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option can also help if your Amsterdam plans are still shifting.

Wear whatever is comfortable for a seated tasting, and arrive ready to pay attention to flavor rather than expecting a sightseeing tour. The central subject is cheese, not Amsterdam’s canals, architecture, or museums.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to anyone who likes trying regional foods but wants more guidance than a shop counter can provide. It suits couples, families with adult children, small groups, and solo visitors who enjoy joining a shared activity.

It is also a good rainy-day choice. You remain indoors, the session is short, and the air-conditioned room has been appreciated during hot weather. The lively presentation can make it work well for a birthday or a casual afternoon with friends.

Food lovers should pay close attention to the aging discussion and the cow’s milk versus goat’s milk comparison. Wine drinkers will get the most from the pairing section. Shoppers who want to take Dutch cheese home should keep the store discount in mind.

I would be more cautious about booking if you need step-free access, dislike group activities, or want a substantial meal. The room is upstairs, the group may include around 18 people, and the portions are designed for tasting.

Small details that improve the experience

Treat the tasting as a lesson in comparison. Do not rush to choose a favorite after the first sample. Notice how the cheese changes with wine, fig bread, and water.

Ask about aging, the family business, and the goat cheeses if those subjects interest you. The hosts are set up to answer questions, and the activity becomes more useful when you take part rather than wait for a scripted presentation.

Save a little room in your luggage if you plan to shop afterward. The 20% discount can make a specialty cheese purchase more sensible, and the store gives you a chance to buy the sample you liked best.

Also, do not schedule this too tightly against a major attraction if you want to linger in the shop. The official session lasts 45 minutes, but a lively host and post-tasting shopping can make the stop take longer.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam tasting?

Book it if you want a short, well-priced introduction to Dutch cheese with real guidance and wine pairings. The strongest reasons are the five-cheese comparison, the Old Amsterdam family story, and the hosts’ ability to make a simple tasting funny and engaging.

Skip it if stairs are a problem, you want a full meal, or you are looking for a countryside cheese farm. For everyone else, this is an easy Amsterdam add-on that gives you something to taste, something to learn, and a practical discount for taking a favorite cheese home.

FAQ

Where does the cheese tasting take place?

The activity takes place at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in Amsterdam. The tasting room is on the first floor.

How long does the tasting last?

The stated duration is 45 minutes.

How many cheeses are included?

You taste five different Gouda cheeses during the session.

What wines are included?

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

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The host or greeter leads the activity in English.

Is food included besides the cheese?

Yes. Fig bread and water are included with the cheese and wine.

Can I buy more cheese afterward?

Yes. You can try additional cheeses in the shop downstairs, and the activity includes a 20% shop discount.

Is the tasting accessible for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tasting room is reached by stairs and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is the minimum age for drinking the wine?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old.