Walhalla Bewery & Taproom

The Netherlands

"We're brewing craft beer in a new little hotspot in Amsterdam."

Music and beer

Founder of Brouwerij Walhalla, Aart van Bergen, is a seriously talented tenor saxophone player that used to be a professional musician. Inspired by the likes of John Coltrane and other great jazz tenor sax players, music was really his passion. But his perspective on living the life of a jazz musician gradually changed over the years as it’s not an easy life.

As he was a home brewer already for a number of years, he made the choice to start a new life in beer. Or, as Aart puts it: “a small crowd of people is into jazz, while a lot of people like beer.” Music and beer seem to have a thing going on with Amsterdam breweries as Brouwerij ’t IJ was also founded by a professional musician.

Craft beer in Amsterdam Noord

The brewery was founded in 2015 and inspired by mythology, fantasy movies and games, Aart named his brewery 'Walhalla Craft Beer'. After a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2017 the production brewery moved to a former garage that used to be a tyre center for trucks, in Amsterdam Noord. Right around the corner happens to be another well known Amsterdam craft brewery, Oedipus Brewing.

Brewery and taproom Walhalla Craft Beer opened officially in 2018 and has quickly become a little hotspot in what already is considered the hippest area in Amsterdam. Heavy industry is making way for housing, a cool waterfront district, creative initiatives and lots of bars and restaurants. Things are changing fast here, so make sure you pay a visit on your next trip to Amsterdam.

Brouwerij Walhalla beer names

As you might expect, the beers are named after gods that appear in all great mythologies of the ancient world. So one of the first beers of Walhalla was named Osiris Farmhouse Ale after the well-known ancient Egyptian god of fertility, but also ruler of the underworld. Another early beer was Shakti Double IPA, named after one of the most important Hindu goddesses, a divine feminine force. Now you can brush up your mythology knowledge while drinking your beer! The awesome labels are designed by art director, designer and illustrator Vincent Sapthu.

Amsterdam brewery visit

There are multiple craft breweries to visit within the city center of Amsterdam, but it’s definitely worthwhile to explore some other parts of the city. We can for example recommend a visit to Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater that is located in a beautiful historic building in the less touristy east side of Amsterdam. But for a real adventure you go to the backside of the Central Train Station and take the ferry across the river IJ. It’s a non-stop connection and the best thing is that it is free!

Once you cross the river you are in the most awesome neighborhood of Amsterdam: Noord! There is also a lot to say for staying in Amsterdam Noord while you will be able to find good accommodation for reasonable prices. The taproom of Brouwerij Walhalla is open from Thursday to Sunday, an excellent place for a beer tasting in Amsterdam! Make sure you check the website for openings hours!

Updated: 11-09-2024