Touring the Heineken Brewery, Amsterdam.

The general consensus among the five of us was that none of us were Heineken drinkers. However, after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor, we decided that The Heineken Experience Tour sounded fun and worth checking out during our two days in Amsterdam. After spending nearly half a day at this attraction I can say we are very glad we did. This was not an average brewery tour. After reading about how the company was started, the tour moves onto highly interactive and exciting exhibits where you are able to "become beer," play games, help make beer, taste ingredients, and put yourself into photos and videos to send home. It was so entertaining that several times we had to literally drag the boys from one exhibit to the next. One of the nice things about the brewery tour is you go at your own pace, so if you wanted to spend less or more time taking the tour, you can.

Another nice thing about the Heineken Experience is that, unlike most other tourist attractions and museums, the ticket includes more then just an entry. Included with a tour of the brewery you also receive 3 free beers, a souvenir Heineken beer glass, and a canal boat ride. The boat ride is optional, and delivers you from the brewery to the Heineken store. Even if you don't want to shop, you still get a nice 30 minute guided canal tour where the tour guide points out famous Amsterdam land marks and history.

I don't want to give away too much about the brewery itself, because facts like the secret recipe of Heineken, and how to properly drink a beer for optimal taste is worth experiencing rather then reading. I will say that I left a converted Heineken drinker, and strongly felt like our 18 euros was money well spent for the day. 

Attraction Name: The Heineken Experience

Located: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Price: 18 Euros

Includes: Brewery tour, several free beers, optional canal tour, opportunities to send photos and videos back home directly from the brewery 

Insider Tip: When you finish your brewery tour, schedule your canal ride for a few hours later. You can leave the brewery and explore the area. The canal tour concludes near the city center and you can avoid walking or paying taxi fare!
Website: http://www.heineken.com/global/heineken-experience.aspx