Walhalla Brewery & Taproom

The Netherlands

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

Brouwerij Walhalla is an Amsterdam craft brewery, that among Dutch beer enthusiasts has built a strong reputation as one of the best IPA brewers in the Netherlands. After tasting their beers, you know why.

From jazz music to craft beer

Before starting Walhalla, founder Aart van Bergen was a professional tenor saxophone player, inspired by jazz legends like John Coltrane. Music was his first passion, and he pursued it seriously for years. But life as a professional jazz musician is demanding and uncertain.

Meanwhile, Aart had been home brewing for quite some time. Eventually, he made a decisive shift from music to beer. As he explained to us with a smile: “A small crowd of people is into jazz, while a lot of people like beer.” Interestingly, Walhalla is not the only brewery in the city founded by a former musician. Brouwerij ’t IJ shares a similar origin story. It seems that in Amsterdam, music and craft beer often go hand in hand.

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 tire center for trucks, in Amsterdam Noord. Another well-known name in the Amsterdam beer scene, Oedipus Brewing (now owned by Heineken), was located just around the corner. That part of Noord quickly developed into a small but vibrant brewing cluster.

The Walhalla brewery and taproom officially opened in 2018 and soon became a hotspot in what many now consider the trendiest neighborhood of Amsterdam. The area has transformed rapidly: former industrial sites have made way for housing, waterfront developments, creative workspaces, bars, and restaurants. Amsterdam Noord is evolving at a remarkable pace.

Urban development eventually meant Walhalla had to relocate. Luckily, they stayed in Noord. In early 2025, the brewery opened its new location just a five-minute walk from the ferry connection between Amsterdam Central Station and Amsterdam Noord. Of course, we returned to explore the new space, take these updated photos, and taste the latest beers on tap.

Walhalla craft 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.

Today, the Loki Golden IPA is Walhalla Craft Beer’s best-known beer. Loki is a god from Norse mythology and a notorious troublemaker. It’s no surprise, then, that he is the god of chaos and lies. So now you can brush up on your mythology while enjoying a beer! The fantastic labels were designed by art director, designer, and illustrator Vincent Sapthu.

Amsterdam brewery visit

During our brewery visits in Amsterdam, we quickly discovered that while there are several excellent craft breweries in Amsterdam city center, it absolutely pays off to explore other neighborhoods as well. One brewery we highly recommend is Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater, located in the eastern part of Amsterdam. Housed in a stunning historic building, this Amsterdam East brewery offers a more local, less touristy experience while still serving tasty Dutch craft beer. It’s a perfect stop if you want to explore beyond the usual hotspots.

For a true Amsterdam beer adventure, we suggest heading to the rear of Amsterdam Central Station and hopping on the free ferry across the IJ River. The ferry runs continuously and only takes a few minutes. And yes, it’s completely free. On the other side, you’ll find yourself in Amsterdam Noord where you’ll find the taproom of Walhalla Craft Brewery.

If you’re planning a brewery tour in Amsterdam, consider staying overnight in Amsterdam Noord. Compared to the historic center, accommodation here is often more affordable, while still offering easy access to the city via the ferry connection. The Walhalla taproom is typically open from Wednesday through Sunday, but we recommend checking the brewery’s official website for current opening hours before visiting.

Updated: 12-05-2026