BeerTemple

BeerTemple opened at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250 on September 9, 2009, the American answer to founder Peter van der Arend's all Dutch café Arendsnest. The premise has not moved since: 50 taps, roughly 30 of them American and Canadian craft, in a dark wood room five minutes from Dam Square.

It suits hopheads chasing US releases that rarely cross the Atlantic. It will bore anyone who wants Dutch tradition; that is the sister bar's job.

The Room

A long tap wall, high tables, and stool seating under low light, more American taproom than brown café. BeerAdvocate's community has logged the venue for over fifteen years and still rates it among Amsterdam's essential stops. The crowd noise stays at taproom level, built for talking about what is in the glass.

The Drinks

Expect Stone, Rogue, Lagunitas, Goose Island, and Evil Twin alongside house beers from Morebeer Brewing, with at least 10 European lines for balance. Draft pours run 6 to 9 euros depending on strength, and the bottle list passes 100 entries. I amsterdam, the city's official guide, flags the American focus as unique in the Centrum.

The Crowd

Beer travelers logging check ins, American expats hunting home taps, and Dutch craft drinkers comparing coasts. Yelp reviewers note the staff steer recommendations well across 93 reviews. Weekend evenings fill; afternoons stay open for proper tasting.

The Neighborhood

The bar sits on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal spine, five minutes from both Dam Square and Centraal. Walk the family circuit to Arendsnest for the all Dutch list, or widen the crawl at Café Gollem, the Centrum's Belgian standby.

When to Go

Weekday afternoons give the tap wall and the bartender's full attention. Friday and Saturday nights run loud and social, better for groups than for tasting notes.

What Regulars Say

• Check the live tap list before visiting; BeerAdvocate regulars treat the rotation as the whole point.
• Staff recommendations land; tell them a style and a strength ceiling.
• The 10cl style small pours make 50 taps survivable, a repeated reviewer tip.
• Pair it with Arendsnest the same evening; the two bars were designed as a contrast.

Who It Is For

• The hophead who keeps a Untappd streak alive
• An American expat homesick for West Coast taps
• Avoid if you want jenever and brown café history

Amsterdam does beer history effortlessly; BeerTemple is the rare bar that does beer present tense. Fifteen years on, it remains the Centrum's best bridge across the Atlantic.

Explore more craft beer bars in Amsterdam, or read our full ranking of the best craft beer bars in Amsterdam.