“Beer can connect people and I am here to entice everyone to take beer seriously,” says Karin Mazereeuw, the owner of café ‘t Ankertje in the charming town of Enkhuizen, north of Amsterdam. Beyond convincing visitors that there’s a beer for each palate and personality, she also takes pride in having brewed beer for the current Dutch King Willem-Alexander. 

It’s charming people like her that convince me that beer-themed cruises are a fantastic way to meet locals and this is a growing trend that agents need to start considering. 

I am no stranger to exploring Europe’s rich beer culture, particularly in countries like Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, where I’ve enjoyed some truly exceptional tastings. But experiencing it all from the water is a revelation. There’s no worry about driving after a tasting, and it offers a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the history and character of each region’s brews.

Beer-themed river cruises aren’t uncommon, but they don’t enjoy the same popularity as their wine-focused counterparts – and I’m here to say they absolutely should. Yes, pairing beer with fine dining might seem unconventional, and convincing non-beer-drinking clients to embrace the idea can be a challenge – but what truly makes the journey memorable are the people you meet along the way, including locals who bring the region’s beer culture to life.

A beer education

I am on board Riverside Cruises’ Beers of the Northern Rhine itinerary, embarking on a five-day journey of beer tastings, pairings, and visits to traditional taverns and breweries from Amsterdam to Cologne. On board, we are guided by James Kellow, a beer sommelier from England who relocated to the Netherlands five years ago and has been leading beer tours for the past decade.

James knows that not everyone is a beer enthusiast, but he immediately puts people at ease, asking about their palate preferences and recommending local beers at our various stops that are tailored to individual tastes. The land excursions include tastings at famous pubs and walking tours that explore the centuries-old brewing traditions of monks, offering fascinating little details into the origins and evolution of beer in the region.

Picture sent by James Kellow via email

After a hearty buffet lunch abord Riverside’s Debussy ship, we set out on our land excursion in Amsterdam. We have four stops ahead for the day, beginning in the heart of the city’s Old Town, where James introduces us to the region’s ancient indigenous brewing styles – long before hops became a staple, brewers here relied on a variety of herbs for bitterness.

Strolling along the scenic Singel Canal, we arrive at Café Gollem on Spuistraat, widely regarded as one of Amsterdam’s pioneering bars to offer a diverse selection of beers beyond the standard local lagers.

This is followed by tasting a smoked porter – a style I’ve never encountered before and quickly fall in love with – at Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman, where the staff explain that a locally beloved delicatessen, Frank’s, smokes their porter.

Our final stop is at the cosy beer bar Proeflokaal Arendsnest, a fun experience where we choose from over 50 beers on tap, all chalked on a blackboard. If it feels too overwhelming, the staff, the locals, and James are always around to help me pick a beer based on my favourite tipple.

Women and beer

The next day, in the laidback town of Enkhuizen, I meet the charismatic Karin Mazereeuw, and we sit down over a beer tasting to chat about the myths associated with women in beer.

“I brewed the Double Lekker for women to learn to drink beer, because many think they don’t like it. I challenge them to try this specific beer, where the foam hits you first and you barely taste any bitterness,” she tells me enthusiastically. Karin’s policy is simple: if a woman doesn’t like the beer, she doesn’t have to pay for it – but so far, everyone has left enjoying it. James here also adds that many don’t enjoy beer primarily because it hasn’t been poured right. 

The itinerary isn’t all beer, all day; it’s thoughtfully balanced with an eclectic mix of history and culture as well. Taking a short break from beer excursions, we arrive in Wesel, Germany the following day, where our good-humoured guide, Udo Hopken, leads us through its citadel and iconic cathedral, while sharing how World War II devastated the town because of its strategic position and rail infrastructure.

That afternoon, guests are encouraged to attend a cocktail masterclass to try some of Riverside’s classics such as a Margarita, Cosmopolitan and I volunteer to try my hand at crafting the perfect martini under the tutelage of the ship’s Chef de Bar, Julian. 

We are in for a treat that night with an exclusive dinner at the Debussy’s Vintage Room, where a seven-course menu is paired with an array of regional beers – each one selected by James. He knows that not everyone will appreciate beers being poured from cans, but he focuses on the brewing methods, shares fun anecdotes, and explains the regional specialties, highlighting how rare these beers are to find elsewhere.

Even for a beer aficionado like me, some of these selections prove to be true revelations. What impresses me most is how unexpectedly well the pairings work: a local beer like De Eeuwige Jeugd from Amsterdam complements my crispy fried lobster beautifully, while a dark brew with malty, chocolate notes – such as the Moersleutel, crafted in the Belgian Quad style – pairs to perfection with my halibut main course. 

The final leg of our beer adventure takes us to Düsseldorf for a special walking tour of the city’s signature Altbier, a traditional German style that started in this city. We visit renowned, century-old breweries such as Uerige, Zum Schlüssel, Schumacher, and Füchschen. The rest of the day is at leisure for us to digest all the tastings and explore the city’s vibrant arts scene.

By the time our journey comes to an end in Cologne the next morning, it’s clear that river cruising here, from Amsterdam and along the Rhine, is more than a peek into the region’s beer heritage. It’s about stories, traditions, and the people who bring them to life.

Book it: James Kellow will be on board on the Hops and Heritage cruise from the 29th July – 5th August 2026. Beer residencies by various sommeliers will run on all of Riverside's luxury cruises on the Rhine throughout August 2026 offering regional beers aboard and dedicated beer excursions; riverside-cruises.com