Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Amsterdam’s cheese culture gets a very pleasant introduction in this 45-minute tasting, where five Gouda cheeses meet three carefully chosen wines. You’ll learn how Dutch cheese is made, how aging changes flavor, and why a goat cheese can taste so different from a cow’s milk Gouda.

I like the mix of useful food knowledge and easygoing humor, especially when hosts such as Aris, Rik, Roberta, and Maria turn the lesson into a social occasion. I also like the practical finish: your ticket includes a 20% shop discount, so you can buy the cheese you actually enjoyed instead of guessing at the counter.

The main drawback is the stairs. The tasting room is on the first floor and has no lift, so this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The room is also designed for tasting rather than a full meal, though the portions are generally considered generous enough for the session.

Key points at a glance

• Five Gouda cheeses: Compare young and aged styles, along with cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses.
• Three wine matches: Taste one red, one white, and one port selected to suit the cheese.
• Old Amsterdam story: Hear about the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business and its famous cheese.
• A lively English host: Aris and Rik are among the hosts praised for humor, warmth, and clear explanations.
• A useful shop discount: Save 20 percent on cheese and related products after the tasting.
• Short and easy to fit in: The session lasts 45 minutes, making it a good choice between Amsterdam sights.

A small tasting room above a famous cheese shop

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then go upstairs to the tasting room. This setup works well. You begin in a working retail setting, surrounded by Dutch cheese, and then move into a quieter room where the host can focus on the tasting.

The room is described as cozy, private, and air-conditioned. That last detail matters in summer, when Amsterdam’s narrow shops and busy streets can feel warm. You are not standing around a counter trying to hear a sales pitch. You sit down for a guided tasting with cheese, wine, fig bread, and water in front of you.

The group can hold around 18 people, though the size may vary. A small group makes it easier to ask questions and get attention from the host. A larger group will feel more like a social event. Either way, the format is informal rather than formal or fussy.

The tasting room is reached only by stairs. Keep that in mind before booking, particularly if anyone in your party has difficulty climbing stairs.

Five Gouda cheeses, each with a different job

The central lesson is simple: Gouda is not one flavor. Its taste changes with age, milk, texture, and production choices. The five cheeses give you a chance to compare those differences side by side instead of treating Dutch cheese as one broad category.

You sample several Gouda styles, including cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses. The younger cheeses are likely to feel milder and softer, while older cheese brings a firmer texture and stronger savory notes. The point is not to memorize technical terms. It is to notice what time and ingredients do to the cheese.

The tasting also introduces the cheese-making process in the Netherlands. You learn how milk becomes cheese and how aging affects the finished product. Hosts explain the difference between cow and goat cheese, and you can ask questions as you go.

That interaction is one of the best parts of the format. Guests have described hosts checking that everyone understood the explanation and making room for questions. If you want a quiet tasting with no conversation, this may feel more social than expected. If you enjoy learning through discussion, it adds a lot.

The portions are tasting portions, not lunch. One past attendee called the pieces small but sufficient for learning, while another found the serving size generous. The sensible way to think about it is this: you will taste enough to compare the cheeses, but you should not arrive expecting a cheese board that replaces dinner.

Old Amsterdam and the Westland family story

Old Amsterdam is the best-known name in the tasting, and the session gives it more context than you get from simply picking up a wedge in a shop. You hear about the historic, family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business, its cheese-making work, and its different brands.

The family recipes are kept private, but the host shares some background and clues about how the cheeses are made. This gives the tasting a personal thread. You are not just sampling anonymous products. You are learning how one Dutch cheese company developed its identity and why Old Amsterdam became such a familiar name.

The company story also helps explain the difference between a supermarket cheese and a specialty tasting. You can pay attention to texture, age, and pairing rather than reaching for the most familiar label.

Do not expect a farm visit or a working dairy demonstration. The experience takes place in Amsterdam, above the cheese store, so the emphasis is explanation and tasting. For a short city activity, that is a sensible tradeoff. You get the food context without spending half a day getting out to the countryside.

Red, white, and port with the cheese

Three wines are served: one red, one white, and one port. The choices are made to complement the cheeses, with the host explaining how the pairings work. Water and fig bread help clear your palate between samples.

This is more useful than simply pouring wine alongside cheese. You get to see how a wine can soften, sharpen, or change the taste of a particular Gouda. The port pairing is especially helpful because its sweetness gives you a clear contrast with saltier, older cheese.

You do not need to arrive with a developed palate. The host guides you through what to notice, and the session is aimed at ordinary food lovers, not professional tasters. You might find that a cheese you would normally ignore becomes your favorite once paired with the right wine.

Past participants have especially liked the wine matches and the chance to ask for more wine. Still, the supplied information does not promise unlimited pours, so treat any extra serving as a courtesy rather than part of the formal package.

The three wines are:

• One red wine
• One white wine
• One port wine

The alcohol rule is clear: you must be at least 18 to drink. That makes this a better choice for adults than for families looking for an activity everyone can fully join.

Why the hosts make such a difference

The cheese is the reason you book, but the host shapes the quality of the hour. The strongest descriptions of this experience repeatedly point to guides who are funny, warm, and able to explain cheese without making the subject dry.

Aris is praised for turning the session into a lively event, with plenty of humor and clear information. Rik is noted for his wine-pairing skill and friendly answers. Roberta received praise for explaining the cheese-making family, Gouda, and the wines in a way that felt both educational and relaxed.

Other named hosts include Ares, Maria, Ron, and Ari. The host can change, so you should not book expecting one particular person unless the operator confirms it. What you can expect is an English-language presentation and a guide who leads the tasting and answers questions.

This matters because a 45-minute class can easily become a rushed sales talk. Here, the host’s job is to keep the pace moving while leaving enough time for tasting. The best sessions appear to balance facts with jokes, which is useful after a day of museums and canals.

The 20 percent shop discount

At the end, you can return downstairs and shop with a 20 percent discount. This is more useful than it first sounds. By then, you have tried five cheeses and can make a decision based on taste rather than packaging.

You might prefer an aged cow’s milk Gouda, a young goat cheese, or something flavored such as truffle Gouda. Old Amsterdam goat cheese has been singled out as a favorite, and truffle Gouda is another product worth looking for if you like stronger or more distinctive flavors.

The discount improves the value of the ticket, especially if you already planned to take cheese home. One attendee also received free chutney with a purchase, but that should be treated as an occasional extra, not a guaranteed inclusion.

Think about luggage and travel timing before buying a large amount. Cheese is easy to carry compared with many Dutch souvenirs, but you still need to pack it sensibly if you are flying or continuing your trip.

Is $23 a fair price?

At $23 per person, this is a good-value Amsterdam activity if you enjoy both food and explanation. You receive five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, an instructor, and the shop discount. The session is short, but the tasting is focused rather than padded with long transfers or waiting.

The value is strongest for people who want an organized introduction to Dutch cheese. You could buy cheese and wine on your own for less, but you would miss the comparisons, the pairing guidance, and the Old Amsterdam story. You would also have to choose the products yourself, which is part of the fun but not always the best way to learn.

The value is weaker if you want a full meal, a countryside dairy visit, or a long wine class. This is a compact city tasting, not a half-day food tour.

The included 20 percent discount can also reduce the effective cost if you plan to shop afterward. Just do not buy products you do not want simply to make the ticket seem cheaper.

Who should book this tasting?

I would choose this for couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy joining a small group, and families with adult children. It also works well as a birthday outing or an easy indoor break from Amsterdam’s weather.

You should book it if:

• You like trying local food with a bit of background.
• You want to understand the difference between young and aged Gouda.
• You enjoy wine pairings but do not need an advanced wine course.
• You have only 45 minutes available.
• You want to buy Dutch cheese with a discount after tasting it.
• You appreciate a host with humor and a relaxed manner.

I would skip it if you cannot climb stairs, do not drink alcohol, or need a complete meal. You may still enjoy the cheese, but the formal experience includes wine and is built around an upstairs tasting room.

The activity is conducted in English. If you need another language, this is not the right choice based on the available information.

Timing, cancellation, and practical notes

The tasting lasts 45 minutes, with starting times depending on availability. That makes it easy to place before or after another central Amsterdam activity, but allow enough time to find the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store and get upstairs before the start.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule is still changing.

The tasting room has a bathroom available on-site, according to one detailed account. That is a small but useful comfort during a wine tasting.

Most important, remember the access note: the room is on the first floor and can only be reached by stairs. People with mobility impairments should not book this activity.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a short, social, and tasty introduction to Dutch Gouda. The best reasons are the five-cheese comparison, the three wine matches, and the hosts’ ability to keep the lesson funny and approachable. The shop discount gives you a practical way to turn the tasting into a souvenir stop.

I would place it high on your Amsterdam list if the weather is poor, your schedule is tight, or you want something beyond the usual canal cruise and museum visit. Just remember that it is a tasting, not dinner, and that the upstairs room is not accessible by lift.

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 above the shop.

How long does the experience last?

The cheese and wine tasting lasts 45 minutes. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different Gouda cheeses, including Old Amsterdam cheese and examples made with cow’s milk and goat’s milk.

What drinks are included?

The tasting includes one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine. Water is also provided.

Is food included besides cheese?

Fig bread is included to help cleanse your palate between tastings. The experience is a tasting session rather than a full meal.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The host or greeter and the presentation are in English.

Can children join the tasting?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18. The supplied information does not specify a separate child policy, so check with the operator if you plan to bring anyone under 18.

Is the tasting room accessible to people with mobility impairments?

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