Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Dutch cheese is far more varied than the familiar yellow supermarket wedge. In this 45-minute session, you move through five Gouda cheeses, including Old Amsterdam and examples made with cow’s and goat’s milk, while three wines show how pairing can change each bite. I like the clear cheese-making lesson and the fact that the tasting feels social rather than stiff.

I also like the $23 price, especially since it includes five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, and a 20% shop discount. The main catch is practical: the tasting room is upstairs and reachable only by stairs, so this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Alcohol is served only to visitors aged 18 and over.

Key points to know before you book

• Five Gouda cheeses: Compare different ages, styles, and milk types rather than tasting one cheese five times.
• Three wine matches: The board comes with red wine, white wine, and port selected to suit the cheeses.
• Old Amsterdam story: Learn about the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business and its well-guarded recipes.
• Lively English hosts: Guides including Aris, Rik, Roberta, Maria, Ron, and Ari have made the session funny, welcoming, and easy to follow.
• 20% shop discount: You can buy more cheese downstairs after the tasting and receive a useful discount.
• Short and easy to fit in: The session lasts 45 minutes, making it a practical choice between major Amsterdam sights.

What happens inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then go upstairs to the tasting room. The room is described as cozy and private, with air conditioning noted as a welcome feature during warmer weather. A bathroom is also available on-site, which is a small but useful detail during a food and wine stop.

The session begins with an introduction to Dutch cheese-making and the company behind Old Amsterdam. Westland Kaasspecialiteiten is a historic, family-run business, and part of the appeal is hearing how its cheeses and brands developed. You will not get every trade secret, since the recipes are kept within the family, but the host gives you useful clues about production, aging, and taste.

I like this opening because it gives the food some context without turning the session into a formal lecture. You learn why Gouda can taste young and mild in one form, then firm, salty, and more intense in another. The talk also helps you notice differences that can be easy to miss if you simply buy a wedge from a shop.

The tone depends partly on the host and the group. Aris and Rik are repeatedly praised for being funny, engaged, and good at answering questions. Roberta, Maria, Ron, Ari, and other hosts have also led sessions, so you may not have the same presenter every day. That variety matters, but the common thread is an informal English presentation with room for questions.

Five Goudas, not just one familiar cheese

The main tasting board features five different Gouda cheeses. Portions are tasting-sized rather than a full meal, but the amount is intended to let you compare the samples and match them with wine. One past participant described the pieces as small but sufficient for learning, while another found the portions generous. Expect a structured tasting, not a cheese buffet.

The selection can include both cow’s milk and goat’s milk Gouda. That gives the session a useful point of comparison. Goat cheese may bring a different aroma and sharper character, while an aged cow’s milk Gouda can feel firmer and more savory. The point is not to memorize technical terms. It is to notice how milk, aging, and production affect the final taste.

Old Amsterdam is the best-known name in the lineup. You hear about its connection to Westland Kaasspecialiteiten and learn how the company presents its cheese-making traditions. The tasting also introduces different brands and styles, so Old Amsterdam is part of a wider lesson rather than the only thing on the plate.

Fig bread and water are provided between samples. The bread gives you a mild, sweet counterpoint, while water helps clear your palate before the next cheese and wine combination. These simple extras matter because strong or aged cheese can linger on the tongue.

Why the wine pairings add real value

The wine is not just a drink on the side. You receive one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine, each selected by a sommelier to suit the cheeses. The host explains how the pairing works, so you can taste the cheese first, take a sip, and notice what changes.

White wine can keep a younger or lighter cheese feeling fresh. Red wine may suit a firmer, more developed Gouda. Port brings sweetness and weight to the final part of the tasting. I would not treat those as strict rules, since the exact pairings and personal tastes vary, but the three styles give you a useful range.

A good guide makes this part interactive. You are encouraged to ask questions, and hosts such as Rik and Aris have been singled out for explaining the pairings in a clear, entertaining way. One especially useful lesson is that a wine can soften a salty cheese, highlight a nutty note, or make a stronger cheese seem rounder.

The wine pours are part of the price, and several past sessions have been described as generous. Still, this is a food tasting, not a wine-tasting course. You receive three wine styles to complement the cheese, but the emphasis remains firmly on Gouda and Dutch cheese-making.

The story behind Old Amsterdam

Old Amsterdam gives the tasting a recognizable anchor. Rather than simply placing a branded cheese on the board, the host explains the company, its production, and the family business connected with it. That makes the sample more meaningful, particularly if you plan to buy a piece downstairs.

The recipes are treated as a family secret, so do not expect a full technical formula. You do, however, get a few hints about how cheese is made and aged. The session also helps you understand why an older Gouda develops a harder texture and deeper flavor than a young version.

I find this useful for shopping later in the trip. Amsterdam cheese stores can offer a dizzying range of flavored and aged cheeses. After this session, you have a better idea of what you like, whether that is young goat Gouda, a mature cheese, or something with a more intense profile.

A lively class rather than a formal museum talk

The strongest part of this experience is often the person leading it. The guides are not presented as distant lecturers. They check that people understand, take questions, and use humor to keep the 45 minutes moving.

That social tone suits couples, families with adult children, and small groups of friends. One birthday outing became a particularly good fit because the host made the occasion feel cheerful without changing the basic format. Other groups have found it a fun indoor activity when they wanted a break from sightseeing.

The group can be larger, with capacity reported at around 18 people, though some sessions may be much smaller. A small group gives you more space to ask questions and makes the room feel more personal. A larger group may feel livelier, but you should expect less individual attention.

There is no promise that your host will be Aris or Rik. If a particular guide is important to you, the booking information does not guarantee that choice. What you can count on is an English-speaking host or greeter and a presentation built around cheese, wine, and questions.

Is $23 good value for Amsterdam?

At $23 per person, I consider this a solid value for the right kind of outing. You receive five Gouda cheeses, three wine styles, fig bread, water, instruction, and access to a 20% discount in the shop. The session is also short enough to fit neatly into a day of sightseeing.

The discount can improve the value if you already plan to take cheese home. A few people have bought Old Amsterdam, goat cheese, truffle Gouda, or other products after the class. The discount does not make an unwanted purchase worthwhile, but it gives you a chance to apply what you learned without paying full shop price.

This is not a replacement for lunch. The portions are designed for comparison and tasting, not for filling you up. If you want a substantial meal, schedule one separately. Think of the experience as a compact food lesson with wine rather than an open-ended food tour.

The 45-minute length is another advantage. You do not need to give up half a day, and the session can work before dinner or between nearby plans. At the same time, the brief format means the talk stays focused. You will learn the basics of Gouda, aging, pairing, and the Old Amsterdam business, but not every detail of Dutch dairy culture.

Practical details that affect your choice

The tasting room is on the first floor and accessible only by stairs. This is the most important limitation, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If stairs are difficult for you, choose a ground-floor food stop instead.

Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and older. The supplied information does not describe a nonalcoholic replacement, so contact the provider if that matters to someone in your group.

The host speaks English. That makes the session easy to follow for English-speaking visitors, but no other tour language is listed. The meeting point is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, so check the exact address and allow time to find the shop before your starting time.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms are helpful if your Amsterdam schedule is still changing.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would recommend it first to anyone who enjoys trying local food but wants more explanation than a shop sample provides. You get a useful introduction to Gouda without committing to a long class.

It also suits wine drinkers who want to understand pairing in a simple, practical way. The red, white, and port sequence gives you three different ways to think about cheese, and the host can answer questions as you taste.

Families can enjoy it if everyone meeting the alcohol age rule is comfortable with a food-focused activity. For younger children, the wine component may make the session less suitable, especially since no separate children’s format is listed.

It is a good rainy-day or hot-weather option because the tasting room is indoors and air conditioning has been noted as a plus. It also works well for a birthday, a small group outing, or a short break from museums and canal walks.

You may want to skip it if you dislike dairy, do not drink alcohol, need step-free access, or want a full meal. It is also not the right choice if you expect a farm visit or a behind-the-scenes look at active cheese production. This takes place in a store tasting room, with the focus on explanation, sampling, and pairing.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam cheese tasting?

Book it if you want an easy, well-priced introduction to Dutch cheese with a friendly host and enough wine to make the pairings interesting. The combination of five Goudas, Old Amsterdam’s family story, and the 20% shop discount gives the short session more substance than a quick retail sample.

I especially like it for a first visit to Amsterdam, since you leave with a better sense of what to look for in Dutch cheese shops. Just keep your expectations realistic: portions are tasting portions, the experience lasts 45 minutes, and the stairs rule out some visitors.

For $23, this is a smart pick for cheese lovers, wine drinkers, and anyone who wants a cheerful indoor activity that does not consume half the day. If you can manage the stairs and are at least 18 for the wine service, I would put it on your Amsterdam shortlist.

FAQ

Where does the Dutch cheese tasting take place?

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in Amsterdam. The tasting room is upstairs on the first floor.

How long does the tasting last?

The scheduled duration is 45 minutes. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many cheeses and wines are included?

You taste five different Gouda cheeses. The wine selection includes one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed language for the activity.

Can I buy more cheese after the tasting?

Yes. You can visit the shop downstairs after the session and receive a 20% discount on purchases.

Is the tasting suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tasting room is accessible only by stairs, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over.