Premium Cheese Tasting with Wine and Beer Pairing

If you want an Amsterdam food stop that feels more like a cozy lesson than a random tasting, this Henri Willig cheese session in a tasting attic hits the sweet spot. It is set right by the Tuschinski Theater area, and you sample 10 different Gouda cheeses while a host explains how the brand started and how the milk becomes cheese.

Two things I really like about it. First, the format is built for learning, not just eating, with a short film and guide-led stories about Henri Willig and the family behind the cheeses. Second, you get pairing with real drinks, since you choose two included options, like local beer, white or red wine, port wine, or juice.

One consideration before you go: the tasting is tightly timed, so you only get to pick two drinks and you will spend part of the hour listening to the presentation and watching the film, which can be a little hard to see if the room lighting is bright for you.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• 10 pieces of different Gouda cheeses across varied flavors and milk types
• 3 dips and mustard, plus cheese-friendly crackers for the board
• Pick 2 included drinks, from local beer, wine, port, or apple/orange juice
• A short film about cheesemaking, followed by host explanations
• 10% discount in the shop after the tasting
• Small group up to 30, offered in English with a mobile ticket

Cheese Tasting in an Attic Near Tuschinski Theater

The meeting point is on Reguliersbreestraat 24, in the heart of central Amsterdam. The experience takes place in a dedicated cheese-tasting attic close to the Tuschinski Theater, so it is easy to slot in between other sights without losing half your day to transit.

I like that the setting feels like a focused stop, not a chaotic tasting with people wandering in and out. You are placed as a group, you get served at the same table or board setup, and the host keeps things moving within the 1-hour timeframe.

This is also a good option if you are doing Amsterdam solo. Small-group formats tend to feel more conversational, and the host can answer questions without turning the experience into a lecture with no interaction.

One practical tip: plan to arrive a few minutes early. Even in a central location, you do not want to rush through the hallway and miss the start of the presentation.

Henri Willig Kaas and the Short Cheesemaking Story

Stop 1 is the heart of it: Henri Willig Kaas. The host introduces the company and the family, and you get a short film about the cheesemaking process. Then you use what you just learned while tasting, which makes the samples land with more meaning than plain “try this, then that” browsing.

I find this kind of story useful because Dutch cheese is not just one flavor. It is a range, influenced by milk and aging, plus different styles that can taste mild, nutty, tangy, or deeper and sharper. When the host connects those ideas to what you are eating, you start to notice things like texture, finish, and salt level on your own.

In past experiences, hosts named Suzanne, Serge, and Quinton have led tastings, and that matters because personality changes the pacing. If you prefer a lively, humorous guide, this is the type of session that often delivers that.

The film is part of the experience, and you should know it is shown during the hour. If you are sensitive to light, you might find the screen harder to read than you expect, so keep your eyes on the host as well as the video.

The Cheese Board Flow: 10 Gouda Samples With Dips and Mustard

What you actually eat is the core value here: 10 different pieces of Gouda cheese. Each cheese is different in flavor and tied to different milk types, so your tasting is not just repeating the same profile ten times.

You also get 3 dips plus mustard, along with cracker-style accompaniments that help you separate flavors. I like that this gives you a way to experiment. Instead of only tasting cheese on its own, you can ask yourself what changes when you add a dip, when you add mustard, and when you eat a bite without anything extra.

A small but important point: the tasting is guided, not self-guided. You will likely be told in what order to try the cheeses, and the host will explain what to notice. That is great if you want structure, but if you prefer complete freedom to sample at your own pace, you may feel a bit limited by timing.

Still, the portions are meant to let you taste broadly. If you love bringing home a cheese selection, this kind of structured board is actually helpful, because it trains your palate to remember what you liked.

Pairing Your Two Drinks: Beer, Wine, Port, or Juice

You get two included drinks, chosen from these options: local beer, white wine, red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice. You choose the two when you arrive, and the whole tasting is designed around those pairings.

I like that you can tailor it. If you want alcohol, go for beer and wine, or beer and port for a warmer, sweeter edge. If you are keeping things non-alcoholic, you can pair cheese with apple or orange juice, which can help cut through richer flavors and refresh your palate.

If you are unsure what to pick, here is a simple way to decide without overthinking it:

• Choose a crisp option (local beer or white wine) if you want lighter cheeses to taste clean.
• Choose red wine or port if you like a deeper, slower finish that can handle stronger aged bites.
• If you want to stay non-alcoholic, apple juice tends to feel brisk, while orange juice brings a citrus snap.

One consideration: it is not an unlimited-drinks setup. The experience is built so you get two drinks included, then the rest is cheese time.

Why the Shop Discount Matters for Real Souvenirs

After the tasting, you get a 10% discount in the store. For me, this is where the session becomes more than an hour of entertainment. It turns into a practical way to buy cheese that matches what you actually enjoyed during the tasting.

Because you try 10 cheeses, you can narrow down what you want to take home. If you liked a particular Gouda style, you are not guessing. You have a memory in your mouth and you can shop with intent.

A smart move is to decide what you will buy while the tasting is still fresh. In the shop, grab something that matches your comfort level for aging and intensity. If you are a first-time Gouda buyer, going for a couple of milder styles can be easier than starting with the sharpest option.

Also, keep in mind this is a store discount, not just a voucher. So it is worth making a stop after the tasting if you plan to bring cheese back.

Price and Value: What You Get for $27.14

At $27.14 per person, you are paying for a guided hour in a central location with a structured cheese board. The value comes from the full package: 10 pieces of different Gouda, 3 dips and mustard, 2 drinks, and the full story of Henri Willig plus the short film.

If you break it down roughly, the cheese portion alone is meaningful. Ten distinct samples is more than the “small taste” that some food tours give you, and it is enough to walk away with real favorites instead of polite sampling.

You are also getting a quality tie-in to the brand. You are not just eating cheese with a generic explanation. The host shares the family story and cheesemaking background, which helps you understand what you are tasting.

And the 10% shop discount is a nice bonus if you plan to buy anything at all. Even if you only purchase one item, that discount can quickly tilt the value in your favor.

Who This Is Best For, and Who Might Want Something Else

This experience is a great fit if you:

• want a short, easy, central activity in Amsterdam
• love cheese and want a focused education without booking a longer tour
• like small-group formats and a host who tells the story as you eat
• want a pairing element with beer or wine, but not a heavy drinking event

It is also a strong choice for beginners. If Dutch cheese feels overwhelming, trying multiple Gouda styles back-to-back helps you build a mental map quickly.

You might want to skip it, or at least temper expectations, if you:

• want unlimited drinks or a long, slow tasting
• prefer to avoid film presentations, especially if you are worried about visibility in the room
• are looking specifically for a farm visit experience rather than a shop-based tasting

Should You Book This Cheese and Drink Tasting?

I think you should book this if your idea of a good Amsterdam food afternoon is simple: great Dutch cheese, guided context, and enough quantity to actually decide what to buy. The 10 Gouda samples, paired with two included drinks and served with dips and mustard, make it feel like a proper meal of flavors even though it is only an hour.

Book it with confidence if you are the kind of person who remembers food by taste and wants an easy souvenir plan thanks to the 10% store discount. If you are not a fan of structured presentations or you strongly prefer unlimited drinks, you may feel constrained. But for most cheese lovers, this is a smart use of time in central Amsterdam.

FAQ

How long is the cheese tasting?

It lasts about 1 hour.

What is included in the tasting?

You get 10 different pieces of Gouda cheese, 3 dips and mustard, and a small film about the cheesemaking process, with a live guide.

What drinks are included, and how many do I get?

You get 2 drinks included. You can choose from local beer, white or red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice.

Is there a discount after the tasting?

Yes. You get a 10% discount in the store after the session.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Reguliersbreestraat 24, 1017 CN Amsterdam, Netherlands. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the group small?

Yes. The experience has a maximum of 30 travelers.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount is not refunded.