Fantastic selection in a small shop purely dedicated to good beer. The selected of Dutch beer is tops here, with a number of quality Belgian and German bottles as well. What else can I say? You should visit this store, but also be sure to visit Cracked Kettle, which I found to be even better. It wasn’t the mecca I was expecting, but certainly it’s a place not to miss while in Amsterdam.

By a fair margin the most solid selection in Amsterdam, so the place is immediately an absolute must-visit. If I stayed in Amsterdam for a month or so, I’d likely hit the place everyday to go through Netherlands’ beers. I picked about 10 and could easily have picked another 10 that I considered must. Lots of imports as well, at least 5 rare belgians that I regret not having picked. Knowledgeable, passionate staff, completely willing to help. Central location, just out of Dam Square in the very heart of the town. Limited opening hours in the weekend though, closing at 18 and even worse on sunday when it only opens at 13. Very very large collection of glassware (100?) at very reasonable prices too (2-5 euros).

Excellent beer shop a stone’s throw from Beer Temple. A selection of local Dutch brews I had not seen elsewhere. Many Belgian and US bottles. A small selection of vintage too. Glassware available. Busy staff.

Smaller shop, located close to the Royal Palace, stuffed with a superb selection of great (international) beers; friendly service as well. Don’t miss it !

Really the only beer shop you need to hit in Amsterdam. Tons of beers from all over Europe and a fair amount of stuff from the US as well. Prices are good. The place is really cramped, though, so don’t plan on bringing any big bags inside.

One of the best beer shops I have ever been in. Really, I was just thrilled to spend time in here. Prices are pretty damn fair and the selection is unreal. I bought so much beer here. Can’t wait to return.

De Bierkonig is situated very centrally in a street off Dam Square. It’s not large but it fits a tremendous selection of high quality beers into the small area at the front and up a short set of wooden steps to a platform area. They’re arranged by country and I defy anyone to find it hard to fill their basket here. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Only got to this Beer Shop in Amsterdam, unfortunately I never made the Cracked Kettle, though I would struggle to see how this could possible be beaten on the staggering choice, rare stuff and reasonable prices. I concentrated on mostly Dutch beers from De Molen but I also got a few from Mikkeller but I was limited on what I could carry as I was situated on a campsite out of town. Very friendly staff, who suggested De Wildeman and ’T Arendsnest bars as ’got to go to’ places. Visited here twice but if I lived in Amsterdam I would never be out of this place. One of the best speciality beers shops I’ve ever visited.

One of the best selections I have ever seen. That is what matters most. The woman there when I went was very disinterested. Doesn’t matter much, though, does it? Wish they had more cold beers.

Ok, so the question I asked myself before going to Amsterdam is, what is the best bottle shop in town? De Bierkoning or The Cracked Kettle. They are a short walk from each other. When I was in Amsterdam in 2010 it was a close call as to which one of the two stores I preferred. They complemented each other and I bought bottles from both places. But I went back in 2011 and it was a totally different story. Bierkoning is totally winning the Amsterdam beer store war. Great selection of Dutch beers (obviously) but also a lot of European beers and even American beers. This place is fun to shop at with its old wooden shelves and warm feeling but this is a tightly packed store and it makes me feel like a bull in a china shop. Staff is usually very busy but when you can talk to someone they are very helpful and knowledgeable. The only negative is the freshness. Here in North-America I don’t complain when I can get a De Molen hoppy beer 9 months after bottling date. But directly in Amsterdam I would expect fresher products. I’ve picked up many beers and put them back on the shelf when I realized they were not fresh (especially De Molen since they have a clearly printed Bottling date). A better inventory management is in order. But that’s a minor complaint. I really love that store, bought many great beers there and can’t wait to go back there.