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Rotterdam is the 2nd largest city in the Netherlands, and perhaps the trendiest. Along with plenty of other great food & drink, Rotterdam also has some quality places to drink craft beer. Here is my guide to the best craft beer in Rotterdam, including beer bars, breweries, tap rooms, beer gardens, & bottle shops.

The Best Craft Beer Bars in Rotterdam

Proeflokaal De Riddert

Proeflokaal De Riddert is a classic brown café. Brown cafés are traditional Dutch pubs that serve as unpretentious neighborhood gathering places. These historic bars generally have an intimate living room feel, filled with wood and little light. Proeflokaal De Riddert is one of the smallest bars in Rotterdam, but it still manages to have a solid craft beer selection.

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Behind their wooden bar, Proeflokaal De Riddert has 7 taps, along with a Dutch & Belgian mix of about 30-40 bottles, served with salty peanuts.

A group of older regulars sat at the front table on a Friday afternoon as country bluegrass covers of Beck, The Darkness, A-Ha, The Pixies, Britney Spears, Metallica, Snoop Dogg, Destiny’s Child, and Queen + David Bowie played on the stereo. The entire atmosphere is an eclectic mix, but it somehow all works.

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Address: Mauritsweg 28, 3012 JS Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

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Bierlokaal Locus Publicus

Bierlokaal Locus Publicus is also a brown bar, albeit one with a much larger living room, and a much larger beer selection. On a cold night, the fireplace warms the whole room, which extends to an upstairs balcony. The cozy atmosphere at Bierlokaal Locus Publicus lends itself to chatting with friends.

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Like most craft beer bars in Rotterdam, the large selection of beer at Bierlokaal Locus Publicus covers both Dutch & Belgian offerings well. There are 15 taps, along with perhaps 100-200 bottles available, plus traditional Dutch bar snacks like cheese & bitterballen.

Address: Oostzeedijk 364, 3063 CD Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Locus International

Locus International is Bierlokaal Locus Publicus’ counterpart next door. While the two bars do have fairly similar food & beer selections, Locus International does skew a bit more toward imports, as the name would suggest.

This isn’t the only difference. While Bierlokaal Locus Publicus feels like a living room, Locus International is more of a sports bar & tourist bar. There’s a time and a place for both, so if you’re looking to watch football or another sporting event, Locus International is the place to go.

Address: Oostzeedijk 358B, 3063 CD Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Bokaal Rotterdam

Bokaal Rotterdam is a lively bar & restaurant in a central area of the city that’s teeming with nightlife – but not in an overwhelming way. In addition to the spacious indoor room, there’s also a big patio, part of which is heated.

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There are a handful of craft taps at Bokaal Rotterdam, but the bottle list is where to go for the best beer selection. The bottle & can selection has perhaps 80 or so beers, lots of Dutch, including about a dozen that are specifically from Rotterdam. If you can’t make it to local breweries in Rotterdam, Bokaal is your next best option.

Address: Nieuwemarkt 11, 3011 HP Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Proeflokaal Reijngoud

Proeflokaal Reijngoud has one of the largest selections of craft beer in Rotterdam. Enjoy one of their 24 draft beers or 200+ bottles & cans on their huge outdoor patio.

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Address: Schiedamse Vest 148, 3011 BG Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Bierboutique

Bierboutique is located in Rotterdam’s Cool District. They have 10 taps along with about 100 cans & bottles, with a split between Belgian & other beers.

Address: Witte de Withstraat 40B, 3012 BR Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Ter Marsch & Co

The main reason to go to Ter Marsch & Co. is for their award-winning burgers. The burgers truly are worthy of the awards on their own, especially if the award is for “Messiest Burger Ever.”

But nothing goes better with a great hamburger than a great beer, and Ter Marsch & Co. has a small, but nice selection. While there are only about a dozen local & Belgian beers to choose from, that’s plenty, especially when one of them is their house rye IPA brewed in conjunction with Two Chefs.

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Address: Witte de Withstraat 70, 3012 BS Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Foodhallen Rotterdam

The Foodhallen food hall is one of the highlights of Rotterdam’s Wilhelminapier. In addition to a great selection of international food stalls, there is also a full bar that has some local craft beer.

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Address: Wilhelminakade 58, 3072 AR Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

The Best Breweries & Taprooms in Rotterdam

Brewery Noordt

Brewery Noordt is a craft brewery & taproom located in northern Rotterdam. The neighborhood has a bit of a quieter hipster feel to it, but it means that the brewery has more space than some of the other bars. In addition to an outside patio, there’s also a spacious tap room – which I managed to enter just before pouring rain began to rattle its windows.

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Their 20 taps are filled with a variety of beers across all styles, though most tend to stay to traditional recipes with a focus on quality ingredients rather than getting too crazy. Flights were limited to two pre-chosen selections when I visited, while meat & cheese planks are also available.

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Address: Zaagmolenkade 46, 3035 KA Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Kaapse Maria

Kaapse Maria is the Cool District taproom of Rotterdam’s De Kaapse Brouwers. The two-story building is bright & airy, with a very home-like feel. They have 24 taps, which are roughly split between their own & guests.

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Address: Mauritsweg 52, 3012 JW Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

De Kaapse Brouwers

De Kaapse Brouwers also has a new location just across the bridge from Wilhelminapier at Fenix Food Factory, after having relocated from a nearby arts space.

Address: Nico Koomanskade 1025, 3072 LM Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

De Gele Kanarie

De Gele Kanarie (The Yellow Canary) is a large, bustling place located just a couple of blocks from Bokaal Rotterdam. Between the size of the bar & its large patio, it must be jumping during the summer months. For the quieter wintertime, there are board games & a roaring fire.

The beer selection at De Gele Kanarie isn’t huge, but it’s eclectic. Amongst their handful of craft drafts & a few dozen bottles are some unique standouts, including some from their own brewery in the basement. I opted for a bold offering from Breda’s Big Belly called Liquid Desserts. It was a double-shot Irish coffee stout. Probably not the best call not long before bedtime, but that flavor combination was irresistible.

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Address: Goudsesingel 284, 3011 KH Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

The Best Beer Gardens in Rotterdam

Many of Rotterdam’s beer bars have outside patios. In the summer months, there is also a centrally located beer garden.

Biergarten

In central Rotterdam, there is a seasonal beer garden called Biergarten that is open from April through the end of the summer. Gulpener is the sole draft beer, but they also have a selection of other craft beer available. In addition to local Dutch beer, they also have burgers & BBQ (veggie friendly).

Address: Schiestraat 18, 3013 BR Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

Belgisch Biercafé Boudewijn

Belgisch Biercafé Boudewijn is a Belgian beer bar that is affiliated with Proeflokaal Reijngoud. Their selection is similarly large, with 24 taps & 200 bottles. Where Belgisch Biercafé Boudewijn is also notable is their secret inner garden. There’s an outside patio too, but it’s this inner garden that’s a truly unique place to drink craft beer in Rotterdam.

Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 53a-b, 3014 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

The Best Bottle Shops in Rotterdam

Hop-In Bierwinkel

Hop-In Bierwinkel is a beer bottle shop located just down the street from Brewery Noordt. Whatever you’re looking for, Hop-In Bierwinkel gas it, especially if you’re looking for the best selection of local Rotterdam craft beers. If you can’t make it into the shop, they offer online ordering.

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Address: Zwaanshals 484, 3035 KS Rotterdam, Netherlands (map)

If these aren’t enough places to drink in Rotterdam, be sure to also check out my list of interesting Rotterdam cocktail bars.

Interested in a food or drink tour of Rotterdam? Here are some options:

 

If you’ve spotted another great place for beer in Rotterdam, let me know in the comments!

Do you love craft beer? Check out more of my recommendations for the best craft beer around the world!

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