Five cheeses, three pours, one easy plan. In the center of Amsterdam, you sit down with a guide at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store and learn what to notice in each bite of 2024 award-winning cheeses, then taste them alongside carefully chosen wines. I love how the hour feels structured but not stiff, so you can ask questions as you go. I also love the pairing lessons, especially the way the tasting helps you separate goat vs. cow and younger vs. aged cheese. One thing to consider: the selection is set by the shop, so if you only like very specific flavors (like lots of “fun” flavored cheeses), you may wish you had more choice.

This is a practical foodie stop with a human guide who talks you through cheese-making, what wine should do for the flavor, and why some combinations work better than others. Sessions are in English and run about 55 minutes, which makes it a smart slot when your Amsterdam schedule is already full.

If you’re drinking age 18+, you’re good to go, and service animals are allowed. Also, this isn’t a private tour and there’s no transportation included, so you’ll want to reach the shop on your own using the nearby public transport.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Five cheeses with guided tasting: you sample multiple Dutch styles selected for the session’s pairing theme
• White, red, and port-style wine: you taste how wine choices change what cheese tastes like
• Classic Gouda-style education: expect talk about goat vs. cow and aging, not just random bites
• Small group feel (max 26): enough people for fun, not so many that you get ignored
• Damrak location in the city center: easy to reach without building a whole day around it
• Shop tie-in with an end discount: you can buy what you liked right there, with a 10% deal mentioned by past guests

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store: why this stop works in central Amsterdam

Let’s start with the location logic. You meet at Damrak 62HS, right in the center of Amsterdam. That matters because you can fit this into a normal sightseeing day without burning time on transfers or complicated routing. The activity ends back at the meeting point too, so you don’t get left somewhere inconvenient.

Inside, Old Amsterdam Cheese Store isn’t just a shelf-and-register situation. The tasting happens in a dedicated area above the store, with a setup that supports the explanation part of the session (some groups mention a presentation screen and a live presenter). That layout makes a difference: you’re not eating cheese standing over a counter while the guide talks to themselves. You can actually listen, taste, compare, and ask follow-up questions.

There’s also a clear “shop-meets-class” vibe. That’s not automatically bad. You’re learning, then you can take the winners home. Just go in knowing you may leave with a shopping itch, because the tasting naturally points you toward what the shop sells.

Five 2024 cheeses: what the guide teaches you to taste (not just eat)

The centerpiece here is a guided tasting of five different types of cheeses described as award-winning for 2024. Instead of dumping five similar wedges in front of you and saying good luck, the session is built around helping you recognize differences.

A few themes show up again and again in the tasting experience:

1) Goat vs. cow

You’ll compare flavors that come from different milk types. Past sessions specifically mention learning how the difference shows up in taste and texture. If you’ve ever wondered why goat cheeses can feel tangier or more assertive, this is the kind of guided moment that turns guessing into clarity.

2) Aging changes the flavor

Ages like 4 to 18 months come up in the tasting descriptions. Aging affects how intense the cheese tastes, how it develops aroma, and what kind of mouthfeel you notice as it warms up. The guide’s job is to help your palate connect those changes to what you’re actually drinking with it.

3) You learn a “tasting method”

This is where the guide-led structure pays off. You’re trained to slow down enough to compare: bite, notice, switch, compare again. It sounds basic, but it’s the difference between eating cheese and learning cheese.

One small drawback worth flagging: the cheeses and wines are chosen by the shop, not by you. That’s great for learning, but it can feel limiting if you’re the kind of eater who wants totally customized picks, or you’re hoping for a wide range of flavored cheeses. In that case, you might still enjoy it, but go in with classic styles in mind.

White, red, and port pairings: the practical wine logic you can reuse

The wine part isn’t an afterthought. You get a set that typically includes a white wine, a red wine, and a port-style wine. That range matters because it teaches contrast: lighter wines often handle certain cheese flavors one way, while richer wines handle them differently.

Here’s the key value: you’re not just tasting wine. You’re learning how to match wine to cheese characteristics. Past tastings mention the guide walking through when white vs red works best, based on the cheese’s type and aging.

A few pairing lessons you can expect to take away:

1) Why the order matters

When you move from one cheese to the next, you start noticing how one flavor can “reset” your palate. That’s why the pairing sequence is useful. It helps you avoid the classic mistake of judging everything based on the last bite.

2) How sweetness and richness show up

Port-style wines often bring a different kind of sweetness and body. That can balance saltiness or deepen the impression of aged cheeses. If you love dessert wine flavors, this is a good moment to understand why they work.

3) How wine choices reveal cheese nuance

A cheese can taste one way on its own. Add the right wine and suddenly you perceive different aromas or less harsh edges. The guide’s explanations are aimed at giving you a vocabulary for that effect.

One detail that came up: a few groups received small booklets with the cheese and wine names, plus some kind of end quiz. If you want names for later shopping or for reading labels at home, it can be smart to take a quick photo of what you’re served—or simply ask the guide to repeat names clearly.

The 55-minute format: a short Amsterdam plan that still teaches

At about 55 minutes, this tasting is designed to fit inside real travel time. Amsterdam days can get crowded fast. If you’re already walking canals, climbing stairs to viewpoints, and fitting meals between museums, a one-hour ticket is a gift.

The pacing also supports learning. You taste enough to compare and feel that you made progress, but not so much that you’re stuffed or bored. You’ll likely move through a sequence of cheeses and wine pairings, with the guide offering context as you go.

A bonus from the way sessions are run: groups are small enough to feel friendly and conversational. People mention the experience being relaxing, and one couple highlights personal attention when the group was smaller. That’s a good sign for solo travelers too. You can meet people without the forced “group activity” energy.

Group size, English, and comfort: who this works for

This is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 26. That’s a nice middle ground: you get social energy, but you’re not shouting across the room.

Most travelers can participate, and minimum drinking age is 18 years. Service animals are allowed. The setting is near public transportation, which helps if you don’t want to plan your route like a logistics spreadsheet.

Who tends to enjoy this most:

• Food-first travelers who like structured tastings
• Wine lovers who want pairing logic, not just sip-and-smile
• Couples and friends who want something indoor and calm
• Solo travelers who prefer mingling without awkward games

If you’re the type of traveler who wants a hands-on dairy workshop, this is more of an education + tasting session than a lab. But if you want a guided palate upgrade in under an hour, it’s a strong match.

Price and value: is $32.65 a good deal?

At $32.65 per person for roughly 55 minutes, the value depends on what you want out of the experience.

Here’s what you’re paying for that usually justifies the cost in practice:

• Five cheeses (not just one or two) that are chosen and explained for pairing
• Wine tastings alongside the cheeses, including white, red, and port-style options
• A guide who answers questions and provides recommendations
• Included cutlery, so you’re not juggling extra purchases
• A setting where you can actually hear the explanation while you taste

Then there’s the practical shop advantage. One recurring perk in past experiences is a 10% discount on cheese at the end. That matters because it turns the tasting into a shopping trip with training wheels. Even if you buy just one or two pieces, the lesson plus the discount can easily feel like you “got your money’s worth.”

Is it perfect value? Not if you’re hoping for a custom menu where you pick your cheeses and wines. Also, since it’s a shop-centered event, it can feel a bit like promotion. The discount helps balance that, and the education is still the main event—just don’t expect a totally independent, museum-style tasting with zero retail connection.

Who should book this cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam

Book this if you want a short, structured, city-center food experience that teaches you something you can reuse. I think it’s especially good for:

• First-time Dutch cheese explorers who want a guided start
• Travelers who enjoy pairing classes but don’t want a half-day commitment
• Anyone who likes the idea of goat vs. cow and aging as a real tasting lesson

You might skip it if:

• You already have a deep understanding of cheese and wine pairings and want more depth than five cheeses can provide
• You strongly prefer flavored cheeses or very niche styles and worry the selection will be too classic
• You dislike retail-linked activities, even when discounts are part of the deal

Should you book this Old Amsterdam cheese and wine tasting?

Yes—if you want a calm, guided food-and-wine hour in Amsterdam, this is an easy choice. The set length works, the tasting count is solid, and the pairing guidance is the type that helps your brain remember what to look for next time you shop or order wine.

If you’re unsure, pick it on a day when the weather might push you indoors or when you want a break from walking. Then go in with an open palate, pay attention to goat vs. cow and aging, and you’ll leave with more than snacks—you’ll leave with a way to taste smarter.

FAQ

Where is the cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam located?

It starts at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands, and it ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience runs about 55 minutes.

What’s included in the tasting?

Food tasting and wine tasting are included, and cutlery is provided.

What is not included?

Private transportation is not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

How many people are in a group?

The activity has a maximum of 26 travelers.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, a mobile ticket is included.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.