Café Struis at Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Brouwerij 't IJ was founded in October 1985 by Kaspar Peterson, a former musician, in a former bathhouse called Funen beside the De Gooyer windmill, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. It became one of the pioneers of craft brewing in Amsterdam and is now part of the Belgian brewing group Duvel Moortgat, with its main brewery on the nearby Zeeburgerpad. Café Struis, at the foot of the windmill, is one of its tasting rooms and the most atmospheric place to try the beers.

The brewery makes around twelve standard beers and three seasonal ones, plus limited editions, and several, including Natte, Zatte, Columbus and Struis, are certified organic. IJwit, a wheat beer, is its best-known beer, and other regulars include an IPA, 't Gouden IJ, the seasonal IJbok and Paradijsvogel. Café Struis pours the full range, and it also serves coffee, breakfast and lunch, with the full menu published on the brewery's website.

The bright yellow terrace catches the sun and is heated in winter, so it stays in use most of the year, and the view of the windmill's sails above the canal is one of the classic sights of eastern Amsterdam. Inside it is warm and informal. Brewery tours and group tastings are offered, and private tours can be requested by email.

The café suits beer lovers, groups of friends and anyone exploring the eastern side of the city. It opens from 10am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 10am to midnight from Thursday to Saturday, and group events outside these hours can be arranged. For reservations, contact the brewery by phone or email. Note that the café is not wheelchair accessible. The terrace is busiest on sunny late afternoons and at weekends.

The windmill stands on the Funenkade, at the edge of the Oostelijke Eilanden, about 20 minutes' walk east of Central Station or a short tram ride. Het Scheepvaartmuseum is around 15 minutes away on foot, and Artis zoo and the Plantage district are a little to the south-west, making Café Struis a good place to finish a day exploring the east of the city. The brewery's other tasting rooms include 't Blauwe Theehuis in Vondelpark.