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During my visit to Amsterdam, I heard about a place called the Heineken Experience. What’s that? From what people told me, it’s a nice museum to visit recounting the history of Heineken, one of the most famous beer brands in the world. The beer lovers are going to love it! We learn about Heineken, how it evolved over time, and we also learn little anecdotes about Heineken in general. The Heineken Experience is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Amsterdam, and I wanted to see how it would be! Here’s an introductory video, and then my Heineken Experience review!
Table of Contents
History of Heineken
Heineken is a beer founded by Gerard Adriaan Heineken. In 1864, he convinced his rich mother to buy the De Hooiberg brewery, which existed since 1592. And he founded Heineken in 1873. To do so, he changed the recipe of the brand he bought, and he went from a top fermentation method to a cool fermentation method.
It’s here, where the museum Heineken Experience is located, that you could find in the old days the Heineken Brewery. That was the main brewery from its foundation until 1988. The brewery closed in 1988 and moved in the suburbs in Amsterdam. Since 1991, the building reopened and was turned into a museum, and it’s possible to visit it. Nowadays, Heineken is commercialized in 170 countries, meaning all over the world! It’s a very popular beer, no matter where you go!
Visit to the Heineken Experience
Here we are in the former Heineken brewery turned into a museum. We’re about to learn about the history of Heineken and its manufacturing process. It’s actually a fun and interactive path. We start our visit in an alley of the 19th century, refurbished like how it was at the time. Then we get in the production area, very well preserved, where we can see the grain silos and the cauldrons, giving birth to the famous beer.
It gets interesting after that, because then you’re gonna visit the museum as if you were a Heineken beer bottle. It allows you to discover the manufacturing process, from the brewing to the labeling of the Heineken bottle.
There are also several interactive games throughout the visit, like for instance that game where you have to virtually pour a beer as quickly as possible, and not drop one single drip. We can also see the huge copper tanks, but also the designs of all the old Heineken bottles, the Heineken coasters and of course the old Heineken ad campaigns.
The Heineken Experience is also an opportunity to discover the architecture of Amsterdam in the late 19th century, to see photos and documents of the early 20th century related to Heineken, especially the Grand Prix received in Paris at the Exposition Universelle in 1889. We can also see football jerseys of teams sponsored by Heineken, and football boots signed by the players.
At the end, there’s a little surprise! You get in the tasting room, and you get two free beers! For those who want to, you can even learn about the art of pouring beer well!
My opinion of the Heineken Experience
There are many locals who say the Heineken Experience is overrated and expensive for what it is but truthfully speaking, I had a good time. The Heineken Experience is a rather fun and interactive museum, and it’s still interesting to find out more about a beer famous all over the world and already consumed numerous times. I wouldn’t say the Heineken Experience is an unmissable in Amsterdam but go if you have some time, especially if you’re into beer, or if it’s raining outside! Ideally, go with some friends to have a good time. Now here are a few tips!
How to get to the Heineken Experience
Heineken Experience is located in the Pijp area in the south of Amsterdam. You can get there by metro, the closest station is Vijzelgracht, five minutes by foot from the museum. By tramway, you need to get off at Stadhouderskade or Weteringcircuit station. Buy an I Amstercard City Card here to get unlimited access to public transportation. Otherwise, the Heineken Experience is just 10 minutes away by foot from the Rijksmuseum.
How much is the Heineken Experience ticket
It’s 18 euros to get in the Heineken Experience. Buy your ticket online here. It’s free to get in for children under 12, and it’s 12.50€ for teenagers from 12 to 17. You got it, underage can come. However, they won’t get the two free beers at the end of the visit.
For your information, it’s possible to do a VIP tour. It’s 55 euros. The VIP tour allows you to visit the former brewery during 90 minutes with a guide. After the visit, you’ll get a beer and food pairing with a beer tasting of five premium beers and Dutch cheese, bitterballen, and you’ll get a personalized gift. Underage cannot do the VIP tour. Buy your VIP ticket here.
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Heineken Experience duration
How long is the Heineken Experience tour? It takes about two hours to visit the Heineken Experience.
Heineken Experience hours
The museum is open everyday from 10:30am to 7:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 10:30am to 9:30pm from Friday to Sunday.
That’s it! I think you’re ready now to have a great time at the Heineken Experience!
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