Amsterdam: Cheese Tasting Attic with Wine & Beer Pairing

Summary

Try 10 Dutch cheeses in Amsterdam’s attic tasting with drinks

You’ll step into an Amsterdam attic for a relaxed cheese tasting led by locals — sampling ten different Dutch cheeses paired with your choice of wine or beer. Watch how Gouda is made, laugh over dips and mustard mix-ups, then leave with a store discount (and probably too much cheese). It’s cozy, casual, and surprisingly memorable.

What’s the experience like?

We ducked into the Henri Willig cheese attic just off Rembrandtplein — it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking up. Our guide, Marieke, waved us in with a grin and the whole place smelled like toasted bread and something sweet I couldn’t place. She started us off with a little film about Gouda making (I didn’t expect to get so into cow breeds, but here we are), then set out ten tiny slices on a wooden board. The colors were all over the place — some pale, some almost orange.

The tasting itself was kind of hilarious because I kept mixing up which dip went with which cheese. Marieke didn’t judge; she even handed me extra mustard when I looked confused. We tried everything from creamy young cheese to this nutty old one that almost crumbled between my fingers. I picked a local beer for my drink (the guy next to me went for port wine — bold move at noon). There was this moment where everyone just got quiet for a second after trying the truffle cheese. Not sure why, but it felt like we all agreed silently that it was the best one.

Afterwards, we wandered through their shop downstairs — they gave us this 10% voucher and honestly, I caved and bought way too much cheese for someone traveling with just a backpack. The staff cracked jokes about how “Dutch people are basically made of cheese,” which… might be true? I still think about that smoky flavor from the aged wheel. If you want an easy day trip in Amsterdam that feels both touristy and oddly personal, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cheese tasting experience in Amsterdam

• Arrive at cheese tasting attic
• Watch film about cheesemaking
• Learn about Henri Willig and family
• Taste 10 different Gouda cheeses
• Enjoy 3 dips and mustard
• Choose and drink 2 beverages
• Receive 10% discount voucher

Top questions

How many types of cheese do you taste at Henri Willig?

You taste 10 different pieces of Dutch Gouda cheeses during the session.

Are drinks included in the Amsterdam cheese tasting?

Yes, two drinks are included — you can choose from local beer, white or red wine, port wine, apple juice or orange juice.

Where is the Henri Willig Cheese Tasting located?

It’s in central Amsterdam near Rembrandtplein, right next to the Tuschinski Theater.

Is there a guide during the tasting?

Yes, a live guide leads you through the tasting and explains each cheese.

Do you get any discounts after the tasting?

You receive a 10% discount voucher for use in their shop or farms across the country.

Can you request non-alcoholic drinks?

Yes, apple juice and orange juice are available as alternatives to alcohol.

Is there information about how cheese is made?

A short film about cheesemaking is shown at the start of the experience.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes entry to Henri Willig’s attic tasting room in Amsterdam near Rembrandtplein, guided sampling of 10 different Dutch cheeses paired with three dips and mustard, two drinks of your choice (beer, wine or juice), an introduction film on cheesemaking traditions, plus a 10% discount voucher for shopping afterwards.