3 Countries, So Many Styles: Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Dusseldorf, Cologne & Brussels

Description

April 9 – 19, 2026

Trip Price (Land-only, Based on double occupancy)
$3,795 per person | Single Room add extra $985
International airfare not included.

A small-group BeerTrip through three countries and five beer-loving cities: Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Brussels. From Dutch lagers and emerging craft brewers to German Alt and Kölsch, and finally Belgian lambic and a cornucopia of classics — this route brings together an incredible spectrum of styles, stories and places.

Beer, Food, History & Local Flavor — From Amsterdam to Brussels

We begin in lively Amsterdam, where canals, cobbled streets and better-than-you-expect beer locales kick off the trip in style. From there, we travel by rail to little-known Nijmegen to discover an innovative brewpub and an older, quieter side of the Netherlands.

Crossing into Germany, we settle into Cologne for life among the Kölschs — with a daytrip up the Rhine to Düsseldorf for Altbier at the source. Finally, we travel to Brussels, one of the great beer capitals of the world. Here we look up old friends for special visits, including lambic at Cantillon and a mystery brewery day that keeps a bit of suspense in the program.

Along the way, each city offers centuries of history, great architecture, vibrant European culture… and really great places to drink beer. We stay in well-located hotels, enjoy locally guided city tours, brewery visits and great beer meals, traveling by a mix of public transportation, private Beer Bus and excellent European rail.

Why We’re BeerTripping Here

This itinerary strings together some of Europe’s most iconic beer regions into a logical, flavorful arc: Dutch lagers and emerging microbrews; the rival traditions of Alt in Düsseldorf and Kölsch in Cologne; and finally, Belgium’s astounding range of beer — from abbey and Trappist ales to saison, lambic and everything in between.

Instead of chasing checklists, we focus on pacing, balance and context. Each city gets time for both guided exploration and independent wandering. Brewery visits are paired with local food and neighborhoods, and travel days are broken up with well-chosen stops rather than rushed marathons. It’s a classic BeerTrip through three countries, but with a rhythm that feels relaxed, not frantic.

Trip Snapshot

• Duration: 11 days / 10 nights (including overnight flight; 9 nights in hotels on the ground)
• Group Size: Maximum 12 travelers
• Travel Style: Small-group, brewery-focused cultural journey
• Start / End: Starts in Amsterdam, ends in Brussels
• Transport: European rail, private Beer Bus and local public transit
• Overnights: Amsterdam (2), Nijmegen (1), Cologne (3), Brussels (3)
• Physical Level: Easy to moderate walking on cobblestones and in historic centers

Beer Highlights & Brewery Visits*

• Really, really great beer: Dutch lagers, an all-Dutch microbrew tasting; abbey and Trappist ales; lambic and saison; Altbier in Düsseldorf; Kölsch in Cologne — all at their source.
• Amsterdam: Visit to Brouwerij ’t IJ, tasting their lineup of local Amsterdam ales, plus time to explore notable bars and cafés.
• Nijmegen: Brewery visit at De Hemel with tour, lunch and a chance to taste their beers and other beer-derived products right where they’re made.
• Trappist stop: La Trappe / Koenigshoeven, the Netherlands’ sole Trappist brewer, for a brewer’s lunch and tasting of their range.
• Cologne & Düsseldorf: Classic Brauhäuser and Alt lodges — visits may include PJ Früh, Gaffel, Zum Uerige, Im Füchschen and more, depending on schedules and availability.
• Brussels & Beyond: Visits to breweries and beer cafés such as Brouwerij Kerkom, Moeder Lambic and a mystery Belgian brewery daytrip, plus a deep dive into lambic at Cantillon.

Wine & Spirits Highlights

• Chances to explore local spirits such as genever in the Low Countries, and regional schnapps or liqueurs in Germany and Belgium at cafés and bars during free time.
• Optional tastings of house spirits in traditional beer halls or cafés where beer and spirits share the same menu and cultural roots.

Where We Stay

• Amsterdam: Centrally located city hotel — 2 nights
• Nijmegen: Well-situated hotel near the historic center — 1 night
• Cologne: City-center hotel within walking distance of the Dom and Brauhäuser — 3 nights
• Brussels: Hotel in or near the historic core with easy access to cafés and rail — 3 nights

Exact hotel names and details will be provided in your Final Trip Documents.

Included Tours

• City tours / pub crawls in Amsterdam, Brussels and Cologne.
• Brewery visit and lunch at De Hemel in Nijmegen.
• Brewery lunch and visit at La Trappe (Koenigshoeven) on the way to Cologne.
• Kölsch-focused walking city tour in Cologne with a local guide.
• Daytrip to Düsseldorf with brewery visit and traditional Altbier lunch.
• Visit to Brouwerij Kerkom on the way to Brussels, including lunch.
• Brussels walking tour / café crawl with a local guide.
• Cantillon tour and tasting in Brussels.
• Mystery Belgian brewery daytrip (to be confirmed closer to departure — always something special).

Included Meals

9 Breakfasts | 5 Lunches | 3 Dinners

Arrival & Departure

Trip begins in Amsterdam, Netherlands and ends in Brussels, Belgium, with easy onward rail and flight connections from both cities.

About the Cities & Regions We Visit

Amsterdam — Canals, Culture & Dutch Craft

A city of canals, bikes, gabled houses and nightlife, Amsterdam also has a better and more varied beer scene than many expect: traditional cafés, pioneering local breweries like Brouwerij ’t IJ and a growing roster of bars focused on Dutch and international craft.

Nijmegen — The Netherlands’ Oldest City & Local Gem

Often overlooked by casual travelers, Nijmegen is one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, with Roman roots, riverside views and a quietly impressive local beer culture centered around spots like De Hemel. It’s a chance to see everyday Dutch life away from the big capital.

Cologne — Rhine City & Kölsch Country

Cologne sits astride the Rhine with its massive cathedral, busy shopping streets and tightly packed old town. This is the undisputed home of Kölsch, and the Brauhäuser that serve it — with round after round of small glasses — are a central part of local culture.

Düsseldorf — Altbier Rivalry & Rhine Flair

Just up the Rhine, Düsseldorf pairs cosmopolitan energy with a tight-knit Altbier tradition. Visiting the Alt lodges and breweries here gives a sense of how one style of beer can shape a city’s identity as strongly as any landmark or anthem.

Brussels — Big City, Big Beer

Brussels is both a European capital and one of the world’s great beer cities, where lambic, Trappist and a huge variety of Belgian styles meet. From classic cafés to modern bars and breweries, it’s a place where you could spend weeks and still not exhaust the possibilities.

Daily Itinerary*

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Day 0 – Thursday, April 9, 2026 — Travel to Amsterdam

Safe travels! Most guests depart from North America today on an overnight flight to Amsterdam. Some travelers like to arrive a day or more early to “prepare” for the trip and shake off jet lag — there is a lot to do and see in Amsterdam, so an extra night or two can be well worth it.

Overnight: Plane
Meals: –

Day 1 – Friday, April 10, 2026 — Amsterdam Walking Tour & Beer Dinner (D)

Arrive in Amsterdam and settle into our hotel in the heart of the historic city center. In the afternoon, meet in the hotel lobby for a short walking tour and café exploration to get oriented among canals, bridges and narrow streets.

In the evening, we gather for a Welcome Beer Dinner in friendly, beery confines — a relaxed start to our three-country journey.

Overnight: Amsterdam
Meals: D

Day 2 – Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Amsterdam Beer Day (B)

On today’s schedule: a visit to Amsterdam’s own Brouwerij ’t IJ to see their small brewery and taste their assortment of local ales. The remainder of the day is free to explore Amsterdam’s many attractions, bars, cafés, cultural sites, museums and curiosities.

In the evening, we’ll have a focused all-Dutch beer tasting with a local expert and publican who owns two bars in Amsterdam — one featuring all Dutch beers, the other showcasing American IPAs.

Overnight: Amsterdam
Meals: B

Day 3 – Sunday, April 12, 2026 — To Nijmegen, De Hemel Visit & Beer Lunch (B, L)

Travel by rail this morning to Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city. Upon arrival we’ll drop bags at the hotel and reconvene to visit the city’s brewery, De Hemel, which proudly limits its distribution to the immediate surroundings.

We’ll have a brewery tour, learn about other beer-derived products and have a chance to taste their beers over lunch in the brewery café. The evening is free to explore the city and its several notable beer cafés.

Overnight: Nijmegen
Meals: B, L

Day 4 – Monday, April 13, 2026 — La Trappe Lunch & Cologne Kölsch Tour (B, L)

This morning we’re bound for Cologne, but along the way we stop at the Netherlands’ sole Trappist brewer, La Trappe / Koenigshoeven. We’ll tour the lovely grounds, taste the beers and enjoy a brewer’s lunch.

Continue to Cologne and settle into our hotel in the heart of the historic city center. In the afternoon, we meet in the lobby for a walking Kölsch/city tour. A local guide will show us the Altstadt, share some history and stories, and lead us to a couple of classic Brauhäuser where we’ll taste Kölner beer right at the source.

Overnight: Cologne
Meals: B, L

Day 5 – Tuesday, April 14, 2026 — Düsseldorf Daytrip (B, L)

Travel up the Rhine to Cologne’s somewhat similar rival city — Düsseldorf — where we’ll visit an Alt brewery and learn the ins and outs of one of Germany’s few remaining ale traditions.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in an Alt lodge, accompanied by perfectly conditioned Altbier to wash it down. The afternoon is free to spend time in another historic Alt lodge or two (or six), as the spirit moves you. Return to Cologne in the evening.

Overnight: Cologne
Meals: B, L

Day 6 – Wednesday, April 15, 2026 — Free Day in Cologne & Beer Dinner (B, D)

A full day to spend as you wish in one (or more) of Germany’s great cities. The Dom (cathedral), the old city and many markets offer a wealth of options. Small pods of Kölsch-seekers may spontaneously ferment.

In the evening we reconvene to enjoy a beer dinner of typical Kölsch fare in a traditional Brauhaus.

Overnight: Cologne
Meals: B, D

Day 7 – Thursday, April 16, 2026 — To Brussels via Brouwerij Kerkom (B, L)

This morning we are back on the Beer Bus to travel toward Brussels, but along the way we stop to visit the excellent small brewery in St. Truiden — Brouwerij Kerkom, producer of the Bink family of beers.

After a look around this old coaching inn, brown café and evolving brewery, we’ll enjoy a simple lunch. Next we continue to Brussels, stocked with some of the world’s best beers. After time to check in, we’ll meet a local guide for a walking tour / café crawl to get oriented in this eclectic European capital.

In the evening, we’ll have a special beer tasting at Moeder Lambic. Many great Brussels beer bars and dinner options await further exploration.

Overnight: Brussels
Meals: B, L

Day 8 – Friday, April 17, 2026 — Mystery Brewery Daytrip (B, L)

We’re keeping today open for a special event. We have a few plans in the works that can’t be confirmed just yet, but we’ll know for sure by the time final itineraries are sent to trip participants. For now, it’s a mystery!

Rest assured, today will be a great opportunity to get a unique view of the brewing process of a fine Belgian beer or two.

Overnight: Brussels
Meals: B, L

Day 9 – Saturday, April 18, 2026 — Cantillon Tour, Free Afternoon & Farewell Dinner (B, D)

Cantillon’s cobwebbed, atmospheric brewery awaits us this morning as we go to the source of true lambic. We’ll learn the finer points of spontaneous fermentation and production, tour the brewery and taste the beers available.

The remainder of the day is free to explore Brussels — museums, markets, cafés and bars — until our Farewell Beer Dinner to celebrate a great trip.

Overnight: Brussels
Meals: B, D

Day 10 – Sunday, April 19, 2026 — Return Home (B)

Alas, we must leave beer heaven. Our hotel is very close to the rail station for easy train transfers to Brussels Airport or even back to Amsterdam for flights home or onward explorations.

Meals: B

Travel Routes, Rail & Beer Connections

This itinerary makes use of efficient European rail lines and our private Beer Bus where it adds comfort and flexibility. Amsterdam to Nijmegen and onward into Germany are easy rides; Cologne to Düsseldorf is a short hop along the Rhine; and our travel day to Brussels is broken up with a brewery stop at Kerkom.

Within cities, we rely on walking and public or private local transport (trams, buses, taxis, rideshares), keeping you close to the action without long days on the road.

Practical Notes

Group Size & Pace

This BeerTrip is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who enjoy both the camaraderie and structure of a group trip and the freedom to explore independently. Planned events, brewery visits, locally guided tours and some excursions are formally guided. Travel days — by train, public transport or Beer Bus — and some group walks are more relaxed and unstructured, though travelers can always rely on the support and assistance of the trip leader.

What’s Included

• All brewery visits, tastings and guided tours listed in the itinerary.
• All accommodations in well-located hotels (9 nights on the ground).
• 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners, as noted.
• All group ground transport during the trip as described (rail segments, private Beer Bus, local transfers on included excursions).
• Services of an experienced BeerTrips trip leader.

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to/from Europe.
• Most dinners and some lunches not specified as included.
• Personal expenses, extra drinks outside group tastings and optional activities.
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended).

Breweries, Medieval Streets & Mobility

Cities like Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Brussels are built on cobblestones, narrow lanes and centuries-old street plans. A BeerTrips tour is best suited for travelers comfortable walking several miles over the course of a day at a relaxed pace, including stairs, uneven surfaces and standing during tastings or city walks.

If you have questions or concerns about mobility, distance or daily pace, please get in touch — we’re happy to talk through whether this itinerary is a good fit.

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About BeerTrips

For more than 25 years, BeerTrips has crafted small-group cultural adventures woven through beer, food and history. We travel deeply, laugh often and savor every local flavor — from brewery cellars to family tables, from tiny villages to iconic cities.

*Final brewery lineup and exact timing are subject to confirmation and availability — substitutions, when necessary, will be at least as good as what they replace.