Heineken Experience — Attraction in Amsterdam

I was least excited to try this attraction during my time in the Netherlands, as I am not a big drinker. However, because I had only a few days in Amsterdam, I figured I try something out of my comfort zone. It's so easy to do things you know you'll enjoy, but I wanted to see if I can go somewhere that's outside my comfort zone and still find the fun in it.

I did find myself really enjoying the tour and learning about Heineken's history. I paid for the regular tour that doesn't include the rooftop or "Rock the City" option. I never knew how much effort it took to create Heineken into the way it is today, and the passion the founder and his workers had to bring joy to people's lives meant a lot to me. Alcohol can be debilitating if used in excess, but I could see that in our busy lives, a little beer or two doesn't hurt and what better beer than Heineken (probably others you can think of, but I digress).

The tour itself was interesting, and the employees were very fun to talk to, but I don't think the setting is big enough to house so many guests at one time. When I started the tour, it was very difficult to read the signs without feeling pressured to keep it moving, as I felt like I was burdening others by standing in their way (coming from a 5'8 woman). I'd advise them to try and decrease the group sizes, so it'd be easier to maneuver through the museum without rush.

I was likely one of the very few who didn't come for the free beers, but I have to admit, once we got to that part of the tour it was more freeing!

The spaces did open up near the end of the tour, as we could disperse to areas that peeked our interest, like the room that talks about how Heineken got its first commercial, or the interactive games that guests could play with, etc.

The final part of the tour ended in a bar where you can socialize with your buddies or strangers for as long as you like. You're given two tokens before you enter the museum that must be used in order to get a beer. I only used one, because even if I tried being a good sport and chugging down a glass, the taste still wasn't giving that creamy, delicious taste that everyone else was crazy about.

Fortunately, it was easier to swallow as I spoke to a nice stranger that I ended up keeping a connection with through social media. So, if nothing else convinces you to visit this place, just know that it is an ADULT-ONLY attraction where you can hang out and make new connections that can turn into something more, whether it be romantic, networking, and so on.

Would I go again? No. Even if I went with friends next time? Mayyybe, but I'll give them all my tokens, so they can have all the beers they want! I'll be the responsible one and call the uber back...

Bustling Albert Cuypstraat serves as the main drag through De Pijp and the location for Albert Cuyp Market, the largest and most famous of Amsterdam’s many outdoor markets. Beyond this sometimes-frantic thoroughfare, tiny lanes beckon urban explorers in search of the latest trends and hidden gems. Nearly half the residents living in De Pijp are foreigners and a good number of them are students. Here you'll find a multitude of ethnic restaurants, great cafes and bars, and a brilliant array of locally owned shops, all catering to a broad range of budgets and tastes.We had such a great time at the Heineken Experience! From the moment you walk in, everything is super interactive and well-designed. We learned all about the history of Heineken and how the beer is made and even got to see some cool vintage ads and brewing equipment. I recommend trying the Rock the City experience, which combines the Heineken Experience with a 45-minute boat ride through the canals—such a great combo! The best part? The tastings! You get to enjoy freshly poured Heineken and hang out in a fun bar setting at the end. The staff is friendly, the vibe is great, and it’s perfect whether you’re a beer lover or just looking for a fun activity in Amsterdam. I definitely recommend it!We booked online in advance for the Heineken Tour and Flagship Canal Cruise which was €40 each. They advise to leave around 2.5/3 hours between starting the brewery tour and the canal cruise. So we started our brewery tour at 2pm and the cruise at 5pm. The brewery tour was really interactive, interesting and informative. I learnt lots of things I didn’t already know about Heineken. At the start there is a cloakroom and lockers if you want to leave your stuff. The staff throughout the tour were friendly. My boyfriend loved the free beers at the end and the design your own bottle. There is a reasonably priced gift shop at the end also. After we left we had a while to wait for the cruise and a member of staff wouldn’t allow us back inside to wait so we had to just wait in the street. The staff running the cruise were really friendly and helpful, they knew lots of facts and information about Amsterdam and the canals. However, the free “beer” you get included is either a Birra Moretti or a 0% Heineken, unless you want to buy a Heineken or another alcoholic drink. The cruise felt really overbooked and cramped, that much so we could barely turn to see out off the windows. Overall, we really enjoyed the experience and it was one of our favourite things we did whilst...

A well-prepared, super cool designed experience in company’s former brewery. Everything was more than okay until I ended up at the ends of the herd and not able to hear guides because it was overcrowded. I was lucky enough at one station that one guide took initiative and repeated himself for the ones who were left behind. Believe me, if you ever want to go through the readings and other interactive stuff that is presented, then you are most welcome at the back. People who just want to march towards the drinking part will for sure overtake the ones who still want to get the most out of the experience. Then the story goes on at the bar, which is almost towards the end, when I was trying to spend my coins, I asked the barmaid whether I will receive any other coins to spend at rooftop or not (I bought my ticket as experience+rooftop). What would be your favourite guess? She said that I was ten minutes late for the last entry to rooftop and no more allowed there because it was past 19:30. I said I wasn’t even aware that there was even a deadline for the rooftop part. So, she again took initiative and contacted rooftop and provided me to enter. And If you think of a happy ending, Im sorry it wasn’t yet. The guard noticed me trying to enter rooftop after 19:30 and came besides me, wouldn’t letting me pass. I explained my situation and after couple of minutes I was able to enjoy the rooftop experience as well. But it was a pain in some of my part of my body. But overall, all these are just consequences of building such an overcrowded group for one time slot. Besides briefing wasn’t enough at all, how would I know I wouldn’t be allowed to rooftop after 19:30, whereas it is almost impossible with a regular pace having read and interacted with the media and listened to guides and lastly enjoyed couple of beers through the experience and catch the deadline of rooftop. Overall, it is well-prepared, but needs to adjust the amount of people attending per session, plus more attention should be given on informing people regarding such deadlines. Other than all these, I liked it all. However major improvements are definitely needed. Do not expect to have the most professional experience as like the brand itself, don’t let the brand’s...