Gouda tasting in a classic Amsterdam shop. I love the 10 different Gouda samples and the 10% discount that lets you turn the tasting into take-home cheese. One thing to plan for: you only get two included drinks, and a short video segment can be tough to watch depending on where you sit.

This is held in a cheese-tasting attic next to the Tuschinski Theater, and it’s built for a hands-on feel—taste, learn, then taste again. You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story of Henri Willig, with a small film about cheesemaking and guide talk in English (small-group, max 30).

If you’re after a quick, flavorful break from canals and museums, this is an easy win. You’ll leave with a better sense of which Gouda styles you actually like—and what to buy before your cheese window closes.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• 10 pieces of cheese, all Gouda, split across different flavors and milk types
• Two included drinks: local beer, white/red wine, port wine, or apple/orange juice
• Three dips and mustard to make the pairings feel like more than snacks
• A short film plus guide storytelling about Henri Willig and cheesemaking
• 10% discount in the store right after the tasting, so you can shop while the flavors are fresh
• Maximum group size of 30 for a more personal pace

Why This Henri Willig Cheese Tasting Works in a Tight Amsterdam Schedule

Amsterdam can run on long walks and big plans. This tasting is different: it’s compact, structured, and focused on one goal—helping you taste and understand Dutch Gouda without turning it into a lecture marathon.

For around an hour, you’ll go from first bite to pairing to repeat. That flow matters because cheese tasting is as much about your palate getting calibrated as it is about the samples themselves. The guide helps you notice differences across the cheeses, then reinforces them with dips, mustard, and a couple of drink options.

I also like that the experience isn’t trying to be fancy or complicated. It’s clear where to look, what to taste, and what the story is centered on: Henri Willig Kaas and how the cheeses are made.

Getting There: Reguliersbreestraat 24 Near the Tuschinski Theater

You’ll meet at Reguliersbreestraat 24, 1017 CN Amsterdam. The location puts you in the heart of things—close enough to popular sights that you can slot this in between other activities without needing a whole transport plan.

The venue is also close to public transportation, which is helpful in Amsterdam where you can go from a canal-side detour to a tram stop in minutes. And the experience uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not stuck hunting for paper confirmations.

Practical tip: Amsterdam streets can be busy around theaters. If you’re even a few minutes late, it can feel like you’re searching in circles, so give yourself a small buffer.

The Main Event: 10 Gouda Samples Up in the Tasting Attic

The tasting happens in the Henri Willig cheese space—described as an attic setup next to the Tuschinski Theater. That setting is part of the charm. It feels like a dedicated room for flavor education, not a random table in a shop.

Here’s what you can count on during the session:

• 10 pieces of different Gouda cheese
• 3 dips (plus mustard) to change the flavor profile of what you taste
• A pacing that mixes explanation with tasting so your notes in your head stay current

All cheeses included are Gouda. That’s a plus if you want to go deep into one Dutch category instead of bouncing across a dozen unrelated styles. It’s also a consideration: if you were hoping for a mix of completely different cheeses (goat, blue, fresh, etc.), this experience sticks mainly to Gouda.

What the dips and mustard actually do

The dips and mustard aren’t just filler. They help you learn how flavor works on your tongue. Mustard can cut richness. A dip can add tang or sweetness. After a few pairings, you start to realize which cheese qualities you like most—creamy, nutty, sharp, aged—without needing a cheat sheet.

If you’re the type who wants to remember what you liked, watch how each dip changes the same cheese compared to the plain bite. That’s where the learning sticks.

Beer and Wine Pairing: What You Get, and How to Choose

You’ll get two drinks included, and you can choose from:

• local beer
• white or red wine
• port wine
• apple juice or orange juice

That choice is a big part of why this tasting is fun. Cheese and drinks can either fight each other or make each other better. Here, the drinks are built to work with the Gouda range you’re tasting—so you can compare how your palate reacts to alcohol versus non-alcohol options.

If you want the easiest pairing

Pick whatever you normally like to drink. You’re tasting multiple cheeses in a short window. If you start with a drink you dislike, it can color everything else.

If you’re choosing between wine and beer

• Wine tends to feel like a smoother partner with aged flavors.
• Beer can feel more casual and hearty, especially with the savory side of Gouda.

If you want to taste fully without getting slowed down

Choose a juice option. It’s included, and it keeps the whole hour clearer. Plus, you may end up shopping afterward—and you’ll want your head sharp for deciding what to buy.

One more practical note from the experience setup: the tasting includes two drinks, not unlimited refills. So pick the combination you’re most excited about rather than assuming you’ll add more.

The Story of Henri Willig: Film, Family, and What to Listen For

You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story of Henri Willig Cheese—centered on the company and its family. The format includes a small film about the cheesemaking process, plus live guide narration.

From a value standpoint, this storytelling is doing a job: it gives your tasting an anchor. Instead of just swallowing flavor, you connect taste to process—how milk type and aging affect texture and bite, and why Gouda can taste different from one sample to the next.

The film is short, but the room lighting can be a factor. Some people find it hard to read subtitles if they’re positioned where light hits the screen. If you care about the video portion, arrive with the mindset that you can still learn even if you catch only parts of the visuals.

Also, the pacing can run quick. One consideration to keep in mind: if you’re sensitive to fast speech or you prefer slower, more repeatable explanations, you may want to focus on the live tasting moments rather than trying to catch every detail of the narration.

Where the Discount Changes the Value Math

After the tasting, you get a 10% discount in the store. That’s not a small perk. It’s the moment where this tour stops being only an hour-long activity and becomes a shopping plan.

Because you taste multiple Gouda samples right beforehand, your discount isn’t generic. You’re buying based on real preferences you just formed. That reduces the risk of coming home with cheese you only sort of like.

Practical way to use the discount:

• Taste first, decide later.
• Keep track in your mind of which two or three cheeses you’d actually eat again.
• Ask the staff for help matching what you liked to what’s available for purchase that day.

If you enjoy bringing Dutch food home, this is a smart structure. If you don’t want to buy anything, it’s still a solid tasting, but the discount is what pushes the value especially for cheese lovers.

Price and Value: Is $27.14 Worth It?

At $27.14 per person for about an hour, this is priced like a focused specialty tasting. The key is what’s included.

You get:

• 10 Gouda cheese samples
• 3 dips and mustard
• 2 included drinks
• the live guide experience
• a short film about the cheesemaking process
• 10% off in the store

Compared to tastings that charge for one or two cheeses, this gives you enough range to actually learn something. And because everything is bundled—cheese, pairings, and drinks—there’s less surprise spending during the hour.

One small realism check: it’s not an all-you-can-drink event. If you’re hoping for unlimited wine or beer, this won’t match that expectation. But if you want a structured tasting with just enough drink to guide your palate, it’s a fair deal.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Not Love It)

This experience is a great fit if you:

• love Dutch cheese and want to compare multiple Gouda types in one sitting
• enjoy beer or wine pairings but don’t want a long, slow “sit and sip” session
• want a guided intro without reading a book or taking a full farm tour detour
• plan to shop after tasting and take cheese home

You might rethink booking if you:

• mainly want a short tasting with minimal talk and minimal film time
• expect unlimited drinks
• find that subtitles or screens don’t work well for you in bright rooms

Also, the group size cap of 30 helps keep the pace from becoming chaotic. If you prefer quieter, more conversational travel moments, this format usually works better than big, noisy food halls.

Should You Book This Amsterdam Cheese and Beer Pairing?

I think it’s worth booking if you want a compact, learn-through-tasting experience centered on Henri Willig Kaas. The mix of 10 Gouda samples, dips and mustard, and two drinks gives you real value for an hour, and the 10% store discount is the built-in incentive to turn it into a take-home treat.

Book it sooner if you can—this one tends to be scheduled about a few weeks ahead on average. And when you show up, treat it like a palate lesson: taste plain first, then try the dips and drink pairings, then decide what you want to buy.

If cheese is a top priority for your trip, this is an easy stop that fits into nearly any itinerary without swallowing your whole day.

FAQ

How long does the Henri Willig cheese tasting last?

It runs for about 1 hour.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $27.14 per person.

What is included in the tasting?

You’ll get 10 pieces of Gouda cheese, 3 dips and mustard, and 2 drinks. There’s also a live guide, a small film about cheesemaking, and a 10% discount in the store.

Are the drinks included with the tasting, and can I choose them?

Yes. You’ll choose two drinks from options that include local beer, white or red wine, port wine, apple juice, or orange juice.

Is the cheese all Gouda?

Yes. The tasting includes 10 different pieces of Gouda cheeses.

Does the tour include any food besides cheese?

The experience includes cheese plus dips and mustard. It does not include unlimited food or additional items beyond what’s stated.

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 tour offered in English?

Yes. It’s offered in English.

What size is the group?

The activity has a maximum of 30 travelers.

What if I have dietary requirements?

You should advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the start time isn’t refunded.

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