Premium Cheese Tasting with Wine and Beer Pairing

Amsterdam has plenty of cheese shops, but this experience gives you a seat, a guide, and a full tasting board rather than a quick sample at the counter. In about an hour, you try 10 Gouda cheeses made with different milk types and flavors, matched with dips, mustard, crackers, and two drinks.

I like the clear introduction to Henri Willig’s family cheesemaking story, and I like the generous tasting portions. The location beside the Tuschinski Theater is easy to reach, too. The main catch is that the two included drinks are a limit, not a free-flowing wine or beer session, and the presentation can take up much of the hour.

Key points at a glance

• Ten Gouda samples: The board includes cheeses with different flavors and milk types, along with three dips, mustard, and crackers.
• Two drinks only: Choose from local beer, white wine, red wine, port, apple juice, or orange juice.
• Hosts shape the experience: Suzanne, Serge, and Quinton are among the hosts praised for humor, energy, and clear explanations.
• A short film adds context: You see how the cheese is made, though the screen lighting can make subtitles hard to read.
• Central Amsterdam setting: The tasting attic is at Reguliersbreestraat 24, beside the Tuschinski Theater.
• Useful shop discount: Your ticket includes 10% off purchases, handy if you find a favorite cheese to take home.

Ten Gouda cheeses in a Tuschinski Theater attic

The tasting takes place at Henri Willig Kaas, in a cheese tasting attic at Reguliersbreestraat 24. This puts you in central Amsterdam, next to the ornate Tuschinski Theater and close to public transportation.

The setting is part shop and part presentation room. You are not simply handed a cube of cheese and sent on your way. A live host introduces Henri Willig, explains the family behind the company, and walks you through the cheeses on the board.

The tasting focuses on 10 pieces of Gouda. That matters because Gouda is not one single flavor. The samples cover different styles, milk types, and degrees of intensity, giving you a better sense of how Dutch cheese changes from one variety to the next.

You also receive three dips, mustard, and cheese crackers. These extras help you compare the cheeses in different combinations, although the cheese remains the main event. One particularly useful feature is the chance to taste before buying. The shop carries many varieties, so you can choose a favorite instead of guessing from a wrapped block.

How the one-hour tasting unfolds

The activity lasts about one hour and takes place at one location. You return to the same meeting point at the end, so there is no walking route to manage and no risk of missing a second stop.

The host begins with the Henri Willig story. You learn about Henri Willig and his family, along with the role the family farm and cheesemaking process play in the company’s identity. A short film supports this part of the talk and shows the basic cheesemaking process.

After the introduction, the cheese board becomes the focus. The host presents the samples and explains what makes them different. The session is intended to be interactive, so you can taste as the talk develops rather than waiting until the very end.

The pace depends on the host. Suzanne is praised for being entertaining and clear, while Serge is described as warm and well-informed. Quinton is also noted for keeping the session lively. These differences matter because a one-hour tasting can feel relaxed with a good presenter, but rushed if the explanation moves too quickly.

Most of the feedback is strongly positive, with a 4.5 rating from 79 ratings and 90 percent of participants recommending the activity. Still, one person felt that too much of the hour went toward company background and too little toward tasting. If you want a long, leisurely food session, keep that in mind.

What the cheese board actually includes

The strongest part of the experience is the amount of cheese. Ten samples give you a useful range, and the portions are described as generous. Another account counted only four cheeses, so the exact serving format may vary by session or by how the tasting is presented. The stated offering is 10 pieces, but you should not expect 10 large wedges.

The cheeses have different flavors and milk types. That makes this more useful than a basic introduction built around several nearly identical young Goudas. You can pay attention to texture, salt, sweetness, age, and the way each sample works with mustard or a dip.

The board also includes three dips and mustard, with crackers to clear your palate. These are simple additions, but they make the tasting more social and help balance stronger cheeses. You can try a bite plain, then repeat it with mustard or another dip to see how the flavor changes.

If you are hoping to sample every product in the store, this will not do that. The selection is guided and limited to the tasting board. That is a benefit if you want structure, but a drawback if you prefer to browse freely and choose your own lineup.

Pairing cheese with beer, wine, or port

Two drinks are included. Your choices are local beer, white wine, red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice. You choose two drinks, not two rounds of every option.

This is enough to make the tasting feel like a pairing session, but it is not a beer-and-wine tasting in its own right. If you choose beer and wine, you can compare how each affects the cheese. Port gives you a sweeter option, while juice works for anyone avoiding alcohol.

You may not sample every beverage. The available selection can include two beers plus red or white wine, but you are still limited to two choices. One participant was disappointed that a request for additional wine was refused. This is worth knowing before you book: the ticket includes two drinks, and unlimited food and drink are not part of the deal.

The drinks support the cheese rather than competing with it. One useful piece of advice is to think of this as a cheese education with drinks, not a bar visit. If your top priority is Dutch cheese, the arrangement works well. If you mainly want generous wine pours, choose another activity.

The family story and the cheesemaking film

The presentation adds context that you would miss by simply shopping for cheese. The host explains the Henri Willig family and the company’s cheesemaking background, then uses a short film to show how cheese is produced.

This family angle seems to be one of the most appreciated parts of the hour. A host has sometimes been a grandson of the founder, which gives the talk a personal connection. The experience is not a farm visit, but the story helps link the products in the shop to the family operation behind them.

The film is a useful visual break, especially if you have never seen the cheesemaking process. There is one practical weakness: the subtitles can be hard to read because of light behind the screen. Treat the film as a supplement to the host’s explanation rather than the only way to learn the process.

The quality of the talk depends heavily on presentation. Most of the named hosts receive praise for being funny, personable, and clear. One session was difficult to follow because the presenter spoke too fast. If that happens, ask the host to repeat a point. The format is informal enough for questions.

Is $27.14 a fair price?

At $27.14 per person, this is priced as a short tasting rather than a full meal. You receive 10 cheese samples, dips, mustard, crackers, two drinks, a live presentation, and a 10 percent shop discount.

The value is strongest if you plan to buy Dutch cheese afterward. A discount on your purchases can help offset part of the ticket, especially if you find several favorites to take home. The tasting also saves you from buying several full packages just to discover which style you prefer.

It is less valuable if you are looking only for food volume. This is not lunch, and the included items are controlled portions. You also should not count on extra wine, extra beer, or unlimited samples.

The one-hour length works well in an Amsterdam sightseeing plan. You can fit it between nearby attractions without giving up half a day. Since the activity takes place entirely at the shop, there is little wasted time moving from place to place.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend this for anyone who wants a simple, central introduction to Dutch cheese. It suits first-time visitors, couples, solo participants, and families who enjoy tasting food while hearing the story behind it.

It is also a good choice if you want to bring cheese home but do not know what to buy. You can taste several varieties, make a shortlist, then use the 10 percent discount in the shop. The staff and host can help you connect the flavor you liked with a product on the shelves.

The session can work well for beer or wine drinkers, but do not book it as a dedicated alcohol tasting. The two drinks are there to accompany the cheese, and you must choose from the listed options.

People with dietary requirements should mention them when booking. The activity allows service animals and is near public transportation. The maximum group size is 30, so the atmosphere may be small and personal in some sessions, but not necessarily intimate every time.

Timing, location, and booking details

The meeting point is Reguliersbreestraat 24, 1017 CN Amsterdam. The activity ends at that same address, and mobile tickets are accepted. It is offered in English.

The experience is often booked around 23 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your Amsterdam dates are fixed. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel later than that and you should expect no refund.

The venue’s central location is a practical advantage. You can pair the tasting with a visit to the Tuschinski Theater area, and the nearby public transportation makes it easy to reach without arranging a special transfer.

My verdict: book it for the cheese, not the pours

I would book the Premium Cheese Tasting if you want a guided introduction to Dutch Gouda, a central location, and enough samples to choose cheese for the journey home. The best parts are the generous board, the family story, the friendly hosts, and the included shop discount.

I would skip it if you want a full meal, unlimited drinks, or a long technical lesson about wine pairing. The talk may take much of the hour, the film subtitles may be difficult to read, and the two-drink limit is firm.

For most cheese lovers, $27.14 is a reasonable Amsterdam price for a focused hour with 10 samples and two drinks. Book ahead, arrive ready to taste several styles, and save time afterward to shop for the cheese you liked best.

FAQ

Where does the cheese tasting take place?

It takes place at Henri Willig Kaas, Reguliersbreestraat 24, 1017 CN Amsterdam, beside the Tuschinski Theater.

How long does the activity last?

The tasting lasts approximately one hour.

How many cheeses are included?

The stated tasting includes 10 different pieces of Gouda cheese with different flavors and milk types.

Which drinks can I choose?

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

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and includes a live guide.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded.