Cheers to Dutch Beers

Cheers to Dutch Beers

If you think Dutch beer begins and ends with Heineken, think again! The Netherlands has a thriving little industry of microbrews and produces some top-notch stuff. While most of the beer can be roughly broken down into three mouthwatering categories (pils, witte bier, and bokbier), pils (pilsner) is by far the most popular and commonly consumed. A refreshing light golden lager, it is served in smaller glasses and with more foam (two fingers worth) than you're probably used to. In summer, Amsterdammers find refreshment in witte bier, a white zesty brew served with a twist of lemon. Bokbier, a stronger variety of pils, is made with warming spices. The Dutch also love Belgium brews, so you'll have no problem finding Trappist beers, Lambics, fruit beers, wheat beers, and dark brown ales.

Our Favorite Watering Holes

Brouwerij 't IJ. Perched under a windmill on the eastern outskirts of the city is an evocative, if out of the way, microbrewery. Choose from any one of their coveted home brews (Plzen, Natte, Zatte, Struis, Columbus). Funenkade 7, East of the Amstel. 020/622-8325. www.brouwerijhetij.nl. Daily from 3-8.

Café Belgique. As the name suggests, this welcoming little café, located right behind Nieuwe Kerk, has an excellent selection of Belgian ales. Gravenstraat 2, The Old City Center (Het Centrum). 020/625-1974.

Café Gollem. Very popular with students and locals, the well-known brown café near Dam Square has far too many beers to try in one go. Ditto for its same-named sister in The Pijp. Raamsteeg 4, The Old City Center (Het Centrum). No phone. www.cafegollem.nl. Daniel Stalpertstraat 74, The Pijp. 020/676-7117.

Het Elfde Gebod. Right in the heart of the Red Light District, this cozy bar has five Belgian beers on tap and over 50 bottled. Zeedijk 5, The Old City Center (Het Centrum). No phone. www.hetelfdegebod.com.

In de Wildeman. This busy, jolly brown café attracts a wide range of types and ages. There are two hundred bottled brews to chose from, 17 beers on tap, and a featured beer of the month. Kolksteeg 3, The Old City Center (Het Centrum). 020/638-2348. www.indewildeman.nl.

De Zotte. The name of this little pub off of the Leidseplein translates to "really really drunk," and with around 100 Belgian beers available, it's aptly named. Raamstraat 29, Jordaan. 020/626-8694. www.dezotte.nl.