Proeflokaal A. van Wees has a nostalgic setting and old Dutch atmosphere
Proeflokaal A. van Wees is the official tasting room of Van Wees Distillery De Ooievaar that makes traditional Old Dutch and Amsterdam spirits and liqueurs.
The bar staff, often members of the Van Wees family, provide expert information about the distillery's home-produced geneva and liqueurs.
All 15+ genevas and 60+ liqueurs of distiller A. van Wees can be tasted at Proeflokaal A. van Wees* on the Herengracht in Amsterdam.
Interior
The tasting room has an old Dutch ambiance and is one of the most beautiful, authentic decorated tasting rooms in Amsterdam.
It is located in a former stable of a rich patrician on the Herengracht in the Canal Belt of Amsterdam. The tiles on the floor are still reminders of that time.
The tall, green cabinet - where now liquor and genever bottles are on display - was used for storing the saddles and harness. And going to the toilet means, entering a huge, oak barrel of 10,000 litres!
The rare 'broekpomp' (trouser pump) behind the bar, was used during the distillation process for the supply and drainage of cooling water from the canals. It was made in 1868 and is one of the two only remaining pumps in the Netherlands.
* formerly known as Proeflokaal 'De Admiraal', named after a former genever distillery in the same building on the Herengracht. Its logo is a drawing of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. Under his command, the Dutch fleet sailed upon the Thames, via Chatham and broke the chains. An original figurehead from a Dutch VOC ship adorns the facade of the tasting room.
