Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

If you want Dutch cheese without getting lost in a maze of shops, this Old Amsterdam Cheese Store tasting is a smart, focused stop. You learn the basics of how cheese is made, hear the story behind Old Amsterdam, and then taste five Goudas with wine pairings that are meant to teach you what flavor matchups do. The room is only reachable by stairs, so it is not great if you struggle with mobility.

My favorite part is the way the tasting turns into a mini lesson you can actually use later. Hosts such as Aris, Rik, Roberta, Maria, and Ron bring humor and clear explanations, so you leave with a real sense of what you are tasting and why. One thing to consider is the alcohol element: it is 18+ only, and you should plan to pace yourself.

Key points to know before you go

• Five Gouda cheeses in one session, so you compare styles fast instead of sampling randomly.
• Three wine pairings (red, white, and port) to show how wine changes the cheese experience.
• Old Amsterdam focus, plus background on the family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten producer.
• Palate cleansing tools, including fig bread and water between tastings.
• A 20% discount downstairs after your session, which makes the stop feel practical, not just educational.
• English hosted experience in a small, shop-adjacent tasting room on the 1st floor.

Getting Oriented at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then head upstairs to the tasting room on the 1st floor. This is the kind of setup that works well in Amsterdam, because you can fit it into a packed day without planning a full half-day food quest. It is also a good choice if you love cheese but feel overwhelmed by menus that list ingredients and ages without explaining how to taste.

What I like is the “shop plus lesson” format. You learn the basics, then you can use the discount immediately to buy cheese while the flavors are still fresh in your mind. One review even called out the room as cozy and practical, with an on-site bathroom available, which is a small detail that can save a lot of stress.

The only real logistical catch is access. If stairs are a problem for you, this one is not a match.

What Happens During the 45 Minutes

This tasting runs about 45 minutes, so you get a tight, no-fluff session. You start in the tasting room where your instructor talks about Dutch cheese-making traditions and what makes Gouda different across ages and types. The session is not just “here, eat this.” It is more like learning the vocabulary and then testing it right away.

You sample five Gouda cheeses during the hour-like block, and the host guides you through what to notice. Between bites, you get palate cleansers: fig bread and water. That detail matters because Gouda can be rich, and without cleansing, later cheeses start to blur together.

You also hear the story of Old Amsterdam, tied to the historic, family-run Westland Kaasspecialiteiten business. The exact recipes are kept as family secrets, but you still pick up hints during the tasting about how the brand fits into Dutch cheesemaking culture.

Expect a guided rhythm: listen, taste, compare, reset, repeat. Reviews consistently highlight how funny and engaging the hosts can be, and how questions are welcomed, so the session tends to feel like a friendly class rather than a rigid lecture.

The Gouda Lineup, and How to Taste What Changes

Five cheeses in one sitting is the key to this experience. You are not stuck with one cheese and hoping you enjoy it. Instead, you taste variation, and that is what teaches you quickly.

Here is what you can pay attention to as you go, even if you are not a cheese expert:

• Texture and firmness: younger cheeses often feel softer and more elastic, while older cheeses tend to firm up and may develop a more crumbly bite.
• Aroma as a first clue: take a moment before the first bite. That smell tells you whether you are in a milder or more developed flavor zone.
• Salt and sweetness balance: Gouda can swing between savory and gently sweet depending on age and style.
• Finish: after you swallow, notice what lingers. That lingering note helps you compare cheeses with less confusion.

You will hear background on the cheese-making process and aging, and the tasting is designed to show the difference between cow milk and goat versions as well. In several experiences, people said they gained a new appreciation for Gouda because the session makes the distinctions obvious, not abstract.

Portions are small by design, so you can try everything. That is a plus if you want variety, but if you come hungry expecting a full meal experience, you might feel it is more of a taste class than a dinner substitute.

Wine Pairings That Actually Teach You Something

This is not just “here is wine.” The wines are chosen to complement the cheeses, and you get three wine options: one red, one white, and one port wine. The goal is to show how wine flavor can amplify, soften, or contrast cheese characteristics.

As you taste, I would focus on the same three comparisons every time:

1. What happens to the cheese aroma after the wine?
2. Does the wine make the cheese feel richer, drier, or more balanced?
3. Does the pairing change the finish, the part you notice most after the bite?

One review called out how the wine pairing enhanced both cow and goat Goudas, which lines up with why this format works. Wine often brings acidity or sweetness that makes fatty cheese feel less heavy.

A practical note: you have an alcohol pairing, and the minimum age is 18. If you are not a confident wine drinker, you can still learn a lot, but I suggest taking small sips and pacing yourself with water.

Old Amsterdam and Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, Without the Hard Sell

Old Amsterdam is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses, and the tasting makes it feel real instead of just a brand name. You hear about the company behind it, Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, and how it connects to Dutch cheesemaking traditions.

The session also explains how to think about cheese as a craft rather than a product. You learn what goes into making and aging cheese, and you get hints about why certain flavors show up as the cheese matures. You are not getting the full recipe of the family secret, but you do get enough context to understand what you are tasting.

What I appreciate here is the tone. The storytelling is part education, part enthusiasm. Hosts like Aris or Ron (and others you might meet) are the reason the talk does not feel like a sales pitch. People remember the session because it blends history with hands-on tasting.

The Palate Reset: Fig Bread and Water Between Tastes

This might sound like a small detail, but palate resets are what keep the whole session from becoming one long blur of cheese. You get fig bread and water to cleanse between tastings. That combination helps cut richness and brings your attention back to each new sample.

Why that matters for you:

• It makes comparing cheeses easier, so you can actually tell differences.
• It keeps the later cheeses from feeling redundant.
• It helps you keep enjoying the tasting even if you do not normally love strong flavors.

If you are sensitive to sweetness or fruit notes, keep an eye on your own reaction to the fig bread. It is part of the system, but everyone tastes differently.

Price and Value: $23 for Cheese, Wine, and a Mini Class

At about $23 per person, the biggest question is what you get for your money. In this case, the value is the blend of tasting and instruction.

You receive:

• Five Gouda cheeses
• Three wines (red, white, port)
• Fig bread and water
• An instructor who explains cheese-making and pairing
• A 20% discount in the shop downstairs

The discount is not an afterthought. It is a real chance to turn the tasting into a purchase while you remember what you liked. Several people said they bought cheese after the session, and that discount is one of the reasons the activity feels worth doing even if you are on a tight schedule.

You are also paying for time and structure. Without this class, you would likely sample a few cheeses on your own. With the pairing and guided comparison, you get a clearer “why this worked” explanation.

Who Should Book This Cheese and Wine Tasting

This is a great fit if:

• You want something different than a museum stop, but still grounded in food culture.
• You like learning while tasting, not just collecting samples.
• You want a quick Amsterdam activity that fits into a day.

It is also especially good if you have always heard of Gouda but never knew how to choose one at a shop. After the session, you will have better questions to ask and more confidence buying what you actually enjoy.

You might skip it if:

• You need a fully accessible experience, since the tasting room is stairs only.
• You are under 18, since wine is part of the session.
• You are looking for a long food crawl, because 45 minutes is intentionally short.

Small Practical Tips So You Get the Most Out of It

• Arrive ready to taste. It sounds obvious, but it changes everything. If you are very full, the rich cheeses can blur together.
• Go slow with wine. Small sips let you notice the pairing effects, and water plus fig bread help.
• Have a short list in your head of what you like: mild versus sharp, creamy versus firm, savory versus sweet. The tasting will naturally point you toward matches.

If you buy cheese after, you will remember what each pairing felt like. That is where the session becomes more than an activity, it becomes decision-making help for your next snack board.

Should You Book This Old Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Tasting?

I think this is an easy yes for many people, especially if you want a quick, guided way to understand Dutch cheese in Amsterdam. The value is strong because you get five cheeses, three wine pairings, and an instructor-led explanation, plus that 20% discount right afterward in the shop.

It is not perfect for everyone. If stairs are a dealbreaker for you, skip it. If you do not drink wine, it is still an educational tasting, but the session does include alcohol, and the minimum age is 18.

If your goal is to leave with better taste instincts and an excuse to buy cheese you will actually enjoy, this one earns its place on an Amsterdam food list.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam Dutch cheese and wine tasting?

It lasts about 45 minutes.

How many cheeses and wines are included?

You taste 5 different Gouda cheeses and you receive 3 wine pairings, including 1 red wine, 1 white wine, and 1 port wine.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

Is the tasting room accessible for people with mobility impairments?

No. The cheese tasting room is on the 1st floor and is only accessible by stairs.

What is the minimum age for the alcohol included?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old.

What is included besides cheese and wine?

Fig bread and water are provided, along with an instructor who leads the tasting session.

Is there a discount if I buy cheese at the shop?

Yes. You receive a 20% discount in the shop downstairs after the tasting.