Our Amsterversary toast: Brouwerij T’Ij

Posted at 11:36 am by Patrick under Amsterdam Anniversary:2006

This is my favorite brewery in Amsterdam. It’s a world away from the “other” A-dam brewery, both physically and gastronomically.

In other parts of town, where 2 euros gets you some tasteless lager, that same 2 spot here you get some of the country’s most flavorful beer. Andrea is drinking the Witte — Hoegaarden’s more spicy, flavorful cousin. I am enjoying a Columbus — the flagship beer that kicks a spicy but unsuspecting wallop of over 8% abv.

During the daily happy hour, you can have beer on their patio and watch the neighborhood swirl by, unfettered by the tourist bustle that hits other parts of the city. Be sure to get the mixed cheese plate (3 euro) for some simple, but tasty drinking snacks.

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Bikes!

Posted at 10:43 am by Patrick under Amsterdam Anniversary:2006

With so many bikes in Amsterdam, you have to be creative if you want to stand out (or find it once you’ve left it). This is the scene at the bike paking deck (!!!) at the main train station.

Some go for the paint job (neon pink, stripes or others), while this person went for the neon garland arond the back rack for ease of identification. Stands out, but loses a few syle points for sheer ugliness.

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Beer break: Dommelsch pils

Posted at 9:44 am by Patrick under Amsterdam Anniversary:2006

We’ve taken a late lunch (after an even later breakfast) at one of the many sidewalk cafes in Amsterdam.

I’m having my *second* beer of the trip, a Dommelsch pilsner. It’s another local session beer of little note, other than it is wet and alcoholic. But we plan to make up some time later today with a brewery visit to a place with great beers.

As a side note, Andrea is having tomato soup for lunch — a poor choice for a Jones girl. Luckily, she is wearing a brown shirt, which covers up the splashy evidence.

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Beer scouting: De Bierkoning

Posted at 9:16 am by Patrick under Amsterdam Anniversary:2006

Translated as “the beer king”, this narrow, dimly lit beer shop at Paleisstraat 125 (near Dam Square) has the best stock of bottles in the city.

You can find bottles from around Europe and the world (Anchor Porter, anyone?) at reasonable prices. Beer glass and other paraphernalia are also in good supply.

I won’t be buying anything right now, since glass is so heavy. But I hope to return before we leave.

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Culture clash: Santa Claus vs. Niklaas

Posted at 8:18 am by Patrick under Amsterdam Anniversary:2006

Believe it or not, there is a store on the Bloemenmarkt called “Christmas Palace” that sells all things Christmas to the Dutch and visitors alike.

I know you’re thinking that this can’t be…the Dutch have St. Niklaas and Dec. 5 as their tradition. Here’s how it works — St. Niklaas floats into town on a large boat, then rides a white horse through town. Bad kids beware — St. Nik will abduct you, stuff you in a sack, and take you back to his home in Spain.

But sadly, it’s true that our American was have infiltrated northern Europe. Welcome to the seedier side of globalization.

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