Fun Food Fact: Why Amsterdammers drank beer instead of water?

In the Amsterdam of the past, clean drinking water was scarce. The canals served not only as waterways but also as open sewers — making the water unsuitable for drinking. The solution? Beer. But not the kind we know today. It was often a weak brew with a low alcohol content, safe to drink because it was heated during the brewing process. For many Amsterdammers, beer was a basic necessity.

However, Amsterdam beer was not exactly known for its quality. Due to the polluted canal water, brewing here was difficult. Cities with cleaner water, such as Haarlem and Delft, produced better beer — which was then transported to Amsterdam. Thus, beer was not only a thirst-quencher but also a commodity and survival strategy.

Want to learn more about the history of the cold barley drink? Then book our historical beer walk. The perfect opportunity to taste special beers with your company and learn more about artisanal brewing processes, urban legends, and funny facts.