Some cheeses teach your palate fast. In this Damrak tasting at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, I like how the guide uses hands-on pairing so you actually learn what changes the flavor, not just what to buy. The format is also nicely paced: five Dutch cheeses with a tight set of white, red, and port wines, plus time for questions. One drawback to consider is that this is a shop experience as much as a tasting, so you may feel a gentle sales push near the end.

I also appreciate the human touch. Guides such as Ron Pieters, Maria, and Luca pop up in the team, and the vibe is small-group and chatty, which matters in a tasting room where you’ll be smelling and tasting up close. If you’re mainly after a walk-around sightseeing tour, this won’t scratch that itch.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 5 award-winning cheeses (2024) served with a clear explanation of what makes each one different
• White, red, and port included, so you taste pairings across styles
• Upstairs tasting setup above the shop counter, with a presentation screen and live host
• Goat vs cow + aging talk helps you understand why flavors shift as cheeses mature
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 26 people, so questions don’t vanish
• Cheese shop discount often comes at the end, making it easier to take favorites home

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak: what you’re really signing up for

This tasting is built around one practical idea: you learn by tasting. You meet on Damrak at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, then the experience runs right from the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. Expect about 55 minutes, which is ideal if you want something focused without giving up your whole afternoon.

The group size stays capped at 26, and that changes the whole feel. In a small room, it’s easier to catch what the guide is saying about rind, texture, and aging, and easier to ask your own questions about what you like (sweet, nutty, tangy, buttery). The tour also runs in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket.

One more practical note: this is a wine-included experience with a minimum drinking age of 18. If you’re traveling with teens, it’s usually not for them. On the upside, you can plan your day around it as a set activity—no private transportation, no wandering required.

The cheese lineup: five Dutch favorites, and why aging matters

The tasting centers on five different cheeses (described as award-winning for 2024), and that’s the key to making the time feel worth it. Instead of one cheese at a time, you get a mini lesson in variety: cow milk and goat milk, plus differences that come from aging.

From what you’ll likely taste, a big theme is Gouda and Dutch-style maturation. Reviews mention age ranges like 4 to 18 months, and that’s where the flavor story becomes real. Younger cheese tends to feel milder and softer in flavor; as it ages, it often picks up deeper savory notes and more pronounced texture.

You also get help sorting out the “why.” The guide walks you through what you’re noticing—often including how to recognize differences between goat vs cow mild cheeses and how aging shifts the taste and bite. That kind of explanation is useful beyond this one tasting, because you start hearing the same flavor cues when you later shop at any cheese counter in Amsterdam.

If you’re the kind of eater who loves bold or heavily flavored cheeses (like lots of herbs or very sweet options), you might find the lineup more traditional than experimental. The upside: the tasting aims to teach the core Dutch profile, not distract you with flavored distractions.

Wine pairing 101: white, red, and port in three matching moves

This is not wine tasting for the sake of wine. It’s pairing with a method, so you can predict what will happen next time you mix cheese and a glass.

Plan for a flight that includes one white, one red, and port. That range matters because different cheeses handle acidity and sweetness differently. For example, a white wine often helps when the cheese is cleaner or younger, while a red can stand up to a more intense, aged bite. Port is the sweet-finisher that can play well with salty or nutty notes.

The guide’s job is to connect the dots: what the wine is doing on your palate and how it changes your perception of the cheese. Reviews describe the explanation as “walked us through everything,” and that matches the goal of the session—so you’re not guessing. You learn why a pairing works, not just that it does.

If you’re doing this after a long day of walking, it can feel like a reset button. Small sips and a guided pace keep it relaxing rather than rushed, even when you’re pairing fast.

Inside the tasting room: screen, stories, and that quiz moment

The experience happens in a setting designed for learning, not just eating at a counter. Multiple reviews mention an upstairs room above the store with a presentation screen and a live presenter. That matters because you can actually follow along while you taste, instead of balancing your attention between signage and a crowded shop floor.

You’ll also hear stories beyond flavor. Expect history and process talk—how cheeses are made, what makes them Dutch, and how the shop frames its expertise. Guides such as Ron Pieters, Maria, and Luca show up in reviews, and the common thread is a friendly, energetic delivery that keeps you engaged.

One fun add-on: a small quiz at the end is mentioned, with a prize for the winner. It’s not mandatory, but it turns the final minutes into something you look forward to instead of just swallowing the last tastes and leaving.

In some versions of the experience, there’s also mention of a dessert-style cheese element—like a chocolate cheese pairing. If that’s on the menu when you go, it’s a nice closing flavor shift that makes the session feel complete.

Price and value at about $32: what’s included, and what you can take home

At $32.65 per person for roughly 55 minutes, you’re paying for three things at once: food tasting, wine tasting, and guided explanations in a small setting. The included list is straightforward—food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery—and that’s exactly what makes it feel practical. You don’t need to hunt down a wine bar first, and you don’t need to buy separate cheese boards to get the lesson.

The value improves if you plan to shop afterward. Reviews note a 10% discount on cheese at the end, which can turn a good tasting into a smarter purchase. Even if you only buy a small wheel or a few wedges, that discount can offset the cost difference quickly.

You’re also not paying for private transportation. That’s not a negative here, since the meeting point is right in the center. It’s just a reminder to plan your own transit—walk, tram, or metro—so you arrive on time without stressing.

Group size also impacts value. A cap of 26 keeps the experience personal enough that you can actually hear the pairing logic, and that’s what you’re really buying.

The biggest practical “fit” questions: who this suits best

This tasting is a strong match if you want a focused, indoor activity that teaches you something useful. It’s especially good for food-and-wine lovers who like learning how flavors work instead of just collecting samples.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• you love Dutch cheeses and want a simple way to compare them
• you want a relaxed rainy-day plan in Amsterdam
• you’re traveling with friends or solo and want a structured social setting
• you want something to do that ends back where you start

You might want to look for another option if:

• you want a lot of variety outside the traditional cheese lane
• you’re hoping for a long sightseeing route (this is a single-shop experience)
• you don’t drink wine or port, since the tasting includes alcohol and is guided around that pairing

Also, keep the minimum drinking age in mind. If you’re under 18, this one won’t work.

How to make the most of your hour (without overthinking it)

Go in with a simple goal: taste, then ask. When the guide points out how goat vs cow and age change the bite, that’s your chance to connect flavor to logic. If there’s a particular taste you love—creaminess, nuttiness, tang—ask what ages or milk types usually produce that result.

Here are a few low-effort tactics that help:

• Take small bites and sip slowly, so you can notice changes between cheeses
• Ask one question about pairing if you’re unsure what to try next
• If you want to buy cheese, wait until the end so you can use any shop discount offered

And if you’re the type who ends up buying gifts, this is an easier setup than most. A guided shop experience gives you a reasoned choice, not a random pick.

Finally, don’t treat it like a test. The quiz is a bit of fun, but the real win is leaving with a mental map of what you like.

Should you book this cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam?

Yes—if your idea of a great Amsterdam day includes food lessons, small tastings, and a calm, indoor format. For about 55 minutes and $32.65, you get a guided comparison of five cheeses with white, red, and port, plus the chance to buy cheese with shop savings mentioned in the experience.

The one “maybe” is the shop-forward nature of the event. If you prefer your tours to be strictly cultural without any retail feel, you might find the ending more sales-leaning than you want. But if you like the idea of learning, then bringing a few wedges home, that built-in shop wrap-up is part of the value.

If you’re in Amsterdam and you want an hour that’s both tasty and practical, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the cheese and wine tasting?

It runs for about 55 minutes (approx.).

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

The experience includes food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery.

Are wines included in the tasting?

Yes. The tasting includes wine tasting.

How many people are in each group?

The experience has a maximum of 26 travelers.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is transportation included?

No, private transportation is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. It offers free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a discount to buy cheese after the tasting?

A 10% discount on cheese is mentioned at the end of the experience in reviews.