A. van Wees Tasting Locality

Behind the stately facades of Herengracht 319, where Amsterdam’s wealthiest merchants once stabled their horses, stands a remarkable survivor of Dutch drinking culture. Proeflokaal A. van Wees serves as the official tasting room for De Ooievaar, the last remaining craft genever distillery within Amsterdam’s city limits. Since 1782, this family-run operation has been distilling spirits using copper pot stills and traditional methods now recognized by UNESCO.

The building itself tells the story of Golden Age Amsterdam. Originally constructed as a stable for a wealthy patrician, the space retains original paving stones that once echoed with hoofbeats. A tall green cabinet, now displaying bottles of amber-hued genever and jewel-toned liqueurs, formerly held saddles and harnesses. Even the bathroom offers a historical experience—guests enter through a massive 10,000-liter oak barrel that once aged the very spirits they came to taste.

A Living Legacy of Dutch Distilling

The Van Wees family opened this tasting room in 1973, initially naming it “De Admiraal” after a former genever distillery that operated in the same building. The name honored Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, the legendary Dutch naval commander who led the audacious Raid on the Medway in 1667, sailing up the Thames to break English chains and tow away their flagship. An original figurehead from a VOC (Dutch East India Company) ship still adorns the facade, a tangible connection to Amsterdam’s maritime trading heritage.

Behind the bar sits a rare “broekpomp” (trouser pump) dating to 1868—one of only two surviving examples in the Netherlands. This antique mechanism once drew cooling water from the canals during the distillation process. Today, it serves as a museum piece that sparks conversations about traditional Dutch distilling techniques.

The actual distillery operates at Driehoekstraat 10 in the northern corner of the Jordaan neighborhood, where copper pot stills continue producing spirits according to centuries-old recipes. Each batch of genever undergoes four separate distillations before aging in oak barrels in the basement. The oldest varieties mature for up to twenty years, developing complex flavors that have made Van Wees products sought after by spirits enthusiasts worldwide.

What Makes This Tasting Room Exceptional

Proeflokaal A. van Wees offers more than 17 distinct genevers and over 60 traditional Dutch liqueurs, all produced in-house from natural ingredients. The bar staff—often members of the Van Wees family—bring encyclopedic knowledge to each tasting, explaining the subtle differences between jonge (young), oude (old), and zeer oude (very old) genever styles.

The signature experience here is the kopstoot, meaning “headbutt” in Dutch. This centuries-old drinking ritual pairs a tulip-shaped glass of ice-cold genever, filled precisely to the brim, with a glass of pilsner. Tradition demands that drinkers lean forward and sip the genever without touching the glass, creating a “little headbutt” motion that gives the practice its name. Proeflokaal A. van Wees offers more than ten kopstoot combinations, pairing different genevers with Dutch craft beers served from draft.

Beyond spirits, the kitchen serves traditional Dutch fare that pairs remarkably well with genever. The Dutch cheese fondue, made exclusively with four premium local cheeses from Kaashuis Tromp, has earned particular acclaim. Warm bitterballen—crispy, deep-fried beef ragout croquettes—arrive at tables throughout the evening, and heartier options include Zeeland mussels, homemade beef stew (draadjesvlees), and entrecote. The kitchen operates daily from 11 AM, serving lunch until 4 PM and dinner until 10 PM on weekdays, extending to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Practical Information for Visitors

Address: Herengracht 319, 1016 AV Amsterdam (Centrum)

Opening Hours: Daily from 11:00 AM

Getting There:

• Tram lines 2, 11, and 12 to Spui stop (5-minute walk)
• 10-minute walk from Dam Square via Kalverstraat
• Nearest parking: Q-Park Kalverstraat

Reservations: Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends. Book tastings in advance for groups. Contact: [email protected]

Nearby Attractions: De 9 Straatjes shopping district, Begijnhof, Spui Square

The tasting room occupies prime real estate along the Herengracht, one of Amsterdam’s most prestigious canals. The Herengracht, or “Gentlemen’s Canal,” was excavated in 1612 and quickly became home to the city’s wealthiest merchants, regents, and VOC directors. Stepping into Proeflokaal A. van Wees means entering a space that has witnessed four centuries of Amsterdam’s commercial and cultural evolution.

Genever Tastings and Private Events

Group tastings provide the most immersive introduction to Dutch spirits culture. Knowledgeable staff guide participants through the history of genever, explain production methods, and offer samples that illustrate the spectrum from malty korenwijn to botanical-forward varieties. Tastings can be combined with walking tours through the historic city center or boat trips on classic canal vessels. The distillery at Driehoekstraat also welcomes visitors for behind-the-scenes tours, where guests observe copper stills and aging barrels firsthand.

The intimate atmosphere makes Proeflokaal A. van Wees popular for birthday celebrations, corporate outings, and gatherings of spirits enthusiasts. The authentic 17th-century ambiance—dim lighting, antique bottles lining shelves, oak barrels visible throughout—provides a setting that transports guests to an earlier era while offering thoroughly contemporary hospitality.

Frequently Asked Questions