One hour, five cheeses, three sips of Amsterdam. This tasting at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store turns a simple snack into a guided lesson on how flavor changes with age and milk type, then tops it off with wine and cheese pairing. It’s centered right in the city core, so it fits neatly between canal walks.

I especially like how the format stays clear and hands-on: you taste five different cheeses and learn what makes each one tick. The guide doesn’t just recite facts—he walks you through what to notice so you can start picking up subtle differences yourself.

One possible drawback: it’s held in a cheese shop, so there’s a retail side to it. You’ll likely leave wanting to buy, and if you wanted a purely academic tasting, the shop pitch may feel a bit present.

Key highlights that make this tasting worth your time

• Five cheese tastings matched with white, red, and port-style wines
• A tight 55-minute format that works even on busy days
• An upstairs learning space at Old Amsterdam with a presentation screen
• Clear comparisons like goat vs. cow and cheese aging (often discussed from short to longer aging)
• A small “how to taste” structure, including booklets and a quiz in some sessions
• Often a 10% discount on cheese at the end (if you want to take it home)

Inside Old Amsterdam: how this tasting is set up

This is a one-stop cheese and wine lesson in Amsterdam, run right at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. You meet at Damrak 62HS (easy to find) and the activity ends back at the same spot, which makes planning simple. Expect about 55 minutes, and a small group size (up to 26 people) keeps the vibe friendly and manageable.

The experience is in English and uses a mobile ticket, so you can keep things low-fuss on your phone. The pace is fast enough to feel efficient, but not so rushed that you never get to taste or ask questions.

What you’ll actually taste: five cheeses and why they differ

The heart of the tour is simple: you sample five different cheeses and learn what makes each one unique. The lineup is described as award-winning cheeses from 2024, which signals quality and variety rather than random supermarket picks.

In practice, the tasting often leans into the classic Dutch comparisons that help your palate learn fast. You’ll hear about how factors like goat vs. cow milk and aging time change the taste and texture. One review notes cheeses ranging from roughly 4 to 18 months of aging, and another mentions a set that included two goat cheeses and three cow cheeses—that kind of range is exactly what helps you understand flavor progression.

Here’s what you can look for while tasting:

• Younger cheese tends to feel milder and fresher.
• Older cheese often feels sharper or more pronounced.
• Goat milk flavors can come across differently in aroma and finish than cow milk.

If you’re the kind of person who thinks you don’t have a trained palate, good news: this tour is built around teaching you how to notice, not judging your guesses.

The wine pairing: white, red, and a Portuguese ruby port

Cheese works best when wine fights for the right job. This tasting pairs your cheese bites with three wine types: a white, a red, and Portuguese ruby Port. That mix matters because white tends to feel refreshing with milder flavors, while red can stand up to more mature cheeses.

You’ll also get a guided explanation of why a pairing works—especially how different cheeses and ages pair better with white versus red. One of the best parts of this pairing approach is that it teaches you something you can reuse later when you’re ordering in a bar or shop, not just following along for an hour.

One practical point: you’re tasting wine, so the minimum drinking age is 18. If you’re traveling with a teen, this is a hard stop on drinking—plan accordingly.

The upstairs presentation room at the Old Amsterdam shop

This tasting isn’t done in a generic conference room. The experience happens in a dedicated space above the store, and it includes a presentation screen that helps everything stay understandable. That matters because you’re not just chewing—there’s a structure to what you’re learning.

The guides also make the session feel more like a conversation than a lecture. Reviews mention hosts like Ron Pieters, plus guides named Maria and Luca, each praised for friendly delivery and solid command of both cheese and wine pairing. Either way, you should come away knowing what to look for: what you’re tasting, why it’s different, and how the pairing is supposed to work.

In some sessions, you may also receive a small booklet with info about the cheeses and even a quiz at the end. That turns the tasting into a mini challenge, and it’s a fun way to lock in the differences.

How to get the most from your 55 minutes

A tasting like this moves fast because it’s designed to be a one-hour “education + sampling” combo. That’s great for fitting into a day, but you’ll want to show up ready to pay attention.

Here are smart ways to maximize it:

• Go in curious, not picky. Ask yourself which notes you notice first: aroma, texture, or finish.
• Take tiny bites and pause. The guide is explaining changes between cheeses and aging; you’ll catch more if you don’t rush.
• Use the goat vs. cow comparison as your anchor. That’s one of the clearest learning threads in the tasting.
• If you’re curious about shopping, listen for any mention of the tasting order and how it relates to buying. Many sessions include a shop-related perk.
• If the names of cheese and wine matter to you later, you can ask if there’s a list you can keep. One review specifically suggested a handout with the exact names used, which is a good reminder that keeping track can be tricky in the moment.

Price and value: what $32.65 buys you in Amsterdam

At $32.65 per person for roughly 55 minutes, this isn’t “cheap,” but it does land in the fair category for Amsterdam because you’re paying for more than flavor. You’re buying:

• Five cheese tastings
• Three wine tastings (including port)
• Cutlery
• A guide who explains pairing choices and what to notice

The practical value is that you leave with real knowledge. Even if you don’t become a cheese expert, you’ll understand enough to order better—whether that means choosing a white wine to match a younger cheese or picking a red for something more mature.

And there can be an extra nudge toward value if you shop afterward. One review notes a 10% discount on cheese at the end of the session. That can turn the experience into a worthwhile “learn and take home” moment.

Logistics that matter: where to meet and how to fit it in

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS. That’s a convenient part of central Amsterdam, so you can pair this with a canal walk, a museum stop, or dinner nearby without a lot of transit hassle. The experience ends back at the meeting point, which keeps your timeline tidy.

Small details that help: you’ll have a mobile ticket, service animals are allowed, and the site is near public transportation. The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate.

Also keep in mind the drinking age rule. If you’re going with mixed ages, this is a “yes, adults” activity because wine is part of the program.

Who should book this cheese and wine tasting (and who might skip it)

This tasting is a great fit if you want:

• A focused intro to Dutch cheese without doing homework first
• A guided way to understand cheese aging and milk type
• A fun, central Amsterdam activity that doesn’t require a long day plan
• A small-group setting where you can actually ask questions

It may be less ideal if:

• You prefer purely food-focused tastings with no shop atmosphere. This one is held in a cheese store, and that retail connection shows.
• You already know a lot about cheese and want a deep technical class with more extensive comparisons. This is educational, but it’s also designed to stay accessible and move quickly.

Should you book? My straight answer

I’d book this if you like learning by tasting and you want a smart, central Amsterdam activity that lands right in the sweet spot between fun and useful. The five-cheese structure, paired with white, red, and Portuguese ruby Port, is a practical way to train your palate in under an hour.

Skip it only if you want a long-form, purely academic tasting with no retail side. Otherwise, this is one of the more straightforward ways to leave Amsterdam with both better memories and better buying instincts for cheese back home.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting start?

The tour starts at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 55 minutes.

What’s included in the price?

Food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery are included.

Is private transportation included?

No, private transportation is not included.

What language is the tour in?

The experience is offered in English.

Is there an age limit for this activity?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

How many people are in the group?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 26 people.

Do I need a paper ticket?

No. You’ll use a mobile ticket.

What happens after the tasting ends?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.