Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Amsterdam’s cheese tasting is a compact lesson in how much variety can hide inside one familiar name. In 45 minutes, you sample five Gouda cheeses, hear how they are made and aged, and match them with red wine, white wine, and port.

I like the clear pairing format, since you taste the cheese first and then see how wine changes its flavor. I also like the friendly teaching style, with hosts such as Aris, Rik, and Roberta bringing humor as well as useful facts. The main drawback is simple: the tasting room is upstairs and reached only by stairs, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Five Gouda cheeses: Taste different ages and styles, including cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses.
• Three wine pairings: The board comes with one red, one white, and one port wine selected to fit the cheeses.
• Old Amsterdam story: Learn about the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business and its best-known cheese.
• A lively English presentation: Hosts including Aris, Rik, and Roberta are praised for making the session both funny and informative.
• Useful shop discount: You receive 20 percent off cheese purchases downstairs after the tasting.
• Short and easy to fit in: The 45-minute session works well between museums, shopping, or a canal cruise.

Five Gouda cheeses in one Amsterdam sitting

The appeal here is not simply eating cheese in a shop. It is learning to notice the differences between cheeses that may all look like familiar yellow Gouda at first glance.

The tasting focuses on five varieties. You may compare young and aged styles, along with cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses. The supplied details do not promise a fixed list of every cheese served, so the exact selection can vary. That is useful to know if you are hoping for one particular flavor.

The point is comparison. A younger Gouda tends to offer a softer, milder taste, while a more mature cheese can bring firmer texture and stronger, saltier notes. Goat’s milk adds another change in character. You do not need to be a cheese expert to follow along, because the host explains what to look for as you sample each piece.

You also receive fig bread and water. The bread gives you a way to clear your palate between cheeses, while the water keeps the tasting from becoming too heavy. Portions are designed for tasting rather than a full meal, though several people found the amount generous enough for the session.

If you are expecting a large cheese board that replaces lunch, adjust your expectations. This is a guided tasting with small pieces, not a restaurant meal. For most people, that is the right balance, since the focus stays on flavor and explanation.

Why the wine pairings matter

The wine is not an afterthought. Three wines are served: one red, one white, and one port. A sommelier selects them to complement the cheeses, and the host explains why certain combinations work better than others.

You might begin with a lighter cheese and white wine, then move toward a firmer or more mature cheese with red wine. Port adds a sweeter contrast and shows how a dessert-style wine can suit a salty, aged cheese. The exact order and pours can vary, but the purpose is consistent: to show how wine changes the taste of the cheese.

I find this format more useful than simply being handed a glass and a plate. You are encouraged to compare the cheese on its own, then taste it with wine. That small exercise gives you something to repeat at home, perhaps with Dutch cheese bought downstairs.

Some people also received refills, but you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of the package. The listed inclusions are one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine. The session is about sampling and pairing, not unlimited drinking.

Because alcohol is served, you must be at least 18 years old to drink. Children and younger family members may not be able to take part in the full tasting as intended.

The Old Amsterdam story behind the board

Old Amsterdam is the name most closely tied to this experience. You learn about the cheese, the business behind it, and the family traditions connected with Westland Kaasspecialiteiten.

The company is family-run, and its recipes are kept private. You will not receive a full production formula, but you do get a useful look at the stages that shape cheese: milk, production, aging, texture, and flavor. The host also explains how different cheeses and brands fit into the company’s work.

That background gives the tasting more purpose. Instead of sampling five unrelated products, you see them as examples of Dutch cheese-making and aging. The session also helps explain why Gouda is not one single taste. Age, milk type, and production choices all matter.

Do not expect a farm visit or a full working dairy tour. The activity takes place in a tasting room above the shop. Its value is in the explanation and the side-by-side sampling, not in seeing cows, machinery, or large cheese warehouses.

A small room with a social feel

The tasting room is on the first floor above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. It is described as cozy and private, and one person specifically appreciated the air conditioning during a warm Amsterdam day.

Group size can reach around 18 people, but sessions may be much smaller. A small group of two couples made the experience feel especially personal, while larger groups brought more energy and conversation. You cannot guarantee the group size when booking, so think about what suits you.

The host is central to the mood. Aris is often praised for humor, enthusiasm, and keeping people involved. Rik is noted for explaining wine pairings and answering questions. Roberta is praised for her presentation on cheese production, the company, and Gouda. Other hosts have also received warm feedback, so the exact presenter may depend on the day.

This is not a silent, formal lecture. Expect questions, jokes, and conversation. That works well if you like social activities and want to ask about cheese, wine, or food pairings. If you prefer to taste quietly at your own pace, the group setting may feel more active than expected.

The room has a bathroom available on-site, which is a small but practical convenience during a tasting with wine.

What the 45 minutes actually feels like

The short duration is one of the strongest practical features. You can fit the experience into a busy day without giving up half a morning or afternoon.

You begin by meeting at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. From there, you go upstairs to the tasting room. The host introduces Dutch cheese-making, the business behind Old Amsterdam, and the basics of tasting.

The cheese samples then arrive with the wines. You are guided through the differences in age, milk, taste, and texture. The host explains which wine suits each cheese and gives you fig bread and water to refresh your palate.

The final part connects the tasting to the shop downstairs. You receive a 20 percent discount on purchases, and some people used it to buy cheeses for home. The discount can make the activity feel more useful, especially if you already planned to bring Dutch cheese back with you.

You may also find chutney or other products available in the shop, but the confirmed benefit is the 20 percent discount. Shop purchases are separate from the tasting price.

Is $23 a fair price?

At $23 per person, this is a reasonable paid activity for Amsterdam, particularly if you value a guided explanation rather than free samples at a shop counter.

The price includes the instructor, five cheeses, three wines, fig bread, water, and the tasting session. It also includes the discount for later purchases. That is a good amount for 45 minutes, though you should remember that it is not a full meal and the wines are tasting pours rather than a bar-style drinking session.

The best value comes from the combination of instruction and comparison. If you already know Dutch cheese well and only want to eat as much as possible, you may find the session less compelling. If you want to understand what you are tasting and learn how to pair cheese at home, the price is easier to justify.

The discount matters most if you intend to shop afterward. Even if you buy only one or two cheeses, it gives the tasting a practical finish. Do not buy simply because a discount is offered, but use it to take home a favorite from the board.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for couples, friends, families with adult children, and solo visitors who like easy social activities. It is also a good choice for a birthday outing or a relaxed afternoon between major Amsterdam sights.

Food lovers will get the most from it, especially those curious about cheese aging, goat’s milk Gouda, or wine matching. You do not need prior tasting experience. The host explains the basics in plain language and encourages questions.

It also suits people with limited time. The experience is short, indoors, and based in central Amsterdam at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. The exact travel time to the meeting point depends on where you are staying, but the activity itself does not require a full day.

This is less suitable for anyone who cannot manage stairs. The tasting room is on the first floor and there is no stated step-free alternative. It is also not the right choice for anyone under 18 who wants to participate in the wine portion.

A few practical tips

Book with the stairs in mind. The tasting room is upstairs, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Arrive ready to taste rather than eat a full meal. The cheese portions are enough to compare the samples, but you may want lunch or dinner separately.

Ask questions. The best part of the session is often the chance to ask about aging, milk type, pairings, and the company’s cheeses. Hosts such as Aris and Rik are particularly noted for engaging with questions.

Keep track of your favorite cheese. The downstairs shop gives you 20 percent off, so it helps to know which style you want before you start browsing.

Plan your alcohol intake around the rest of your day. Three wine styles are included, and the tasting can be generous, but it is still a short food activity rather than a long wine tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your Amsterdam plans are still moving around.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a short, social, and tasty introduction to Dutch cheese rather than a full dairy visit. The five Gouda samples make the differences easy to understand, while the red, white, and port pairings give the session more substance than a standard shop tasting.

The hosts are a major part of the experience. Aris, Rik, Roberta, and other presenters are known for combining facts with humor, and that matters in a small room where the tone can make or break the afternoon.

Skip it if you cannot use stairs, do not drink alcohol, or want a substantial meal. For everyone else, $23 is fair, especially if you plan to use the 20 percent shop discount and take a favorite cheese home.

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 store.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts 45 minutes.

How many cheeses are included?

You taste five different Gouda cheeses.

Which wines are served?

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

Is food included besides cheese?

Yes. Fig bread and water are included to help refresh your palate between tastings.

Is the tasting held in English?

Yes. The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity is offered in English.

Can I buy cheese after the tasting?

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

Is the experience suitable for children?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18. The supplied information does not state a separate child program or alcohol-free tasting option.

Is the tasting room wheelchair accessible?

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

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.