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Coffee shop T'shirts
going to be a good and clear deal.
I have to find some money :)

Thank you all.
izel

Tried a few while I was there, perhaps not my favorite but I did drink quite a few

Since we're on the topic of beer I thought I'd take the opportunity to ask about the Dutch beers available in shops where I live. I've looked them up online, but was wondering about the opinions of those who might be in the Netherlands. Are these crap beers or worth trying? What do you think?

Hollandia (green bottle)
Mariner
Oranjeboom (cans) - I've tried this one.
Peter's Brand

Of course there's Heineken & Grolsch, but I'm well acquainted wtih them. Thanks for any opinions!

I had oranjeboom while in the Dam and thought it was a pretty good beer. I have found it in cans here in Boston and was all excited until I got home and opened them up. It was not like it was in the Dam. I was very disapointed. That is the only one of you list I have been able to find.

I tried a couple of bottles of Belle-Vue Kriek cherry flavoured beer last night and very nice it was too!

Peace, Des.

While I really hate to admit it, I really like Heineken. But it has to be the right Heineken, like from the "Experience". I got a Beertender for Christmas and it is great out of the little 4 liter kegs. Grolsch is also a nice pils.

But, for a really good beer, you gotta go with the Belgians. I don?t think there is a better type of beer than the Trappist beers. Get your hands on a Westvleteren ?12? and you will never look at another beer. Lekker!

Later,

?Meer

Just wondering what was the faves of the forum posters?

Brand

Dommelsch

Amstel is my favourite beer to drink whilst smoking in the dam as it's a nice pils and doesn't get me too mashed plus I can't find it in the US.
anything from Brouwerij 't IJ is delicious but gets me fucked when Im smoked out

Not a big beer drinker.The only beer I drank on last years trip was in Schiphol before my plane back home.I had a Heineken draft in a huge mug from some restaurant at Schiphol.That had to be the best beer I have ever had.I will be sure to sample a few more in April.

I had the same experience, Scooby. Those cans ruin the Oranjeboom. Of the others I mentioned, Mariner is also in a green bottle. Peter's Brand is in cans.

Whats up Beer?I have been trying to think of the name of the beer drinking club mentioned here last year and you post it,cool.Have you ever gone to one of their club meetings?From the site it looks laid back and fun.

Arendsnest on Herengracht 90 has 130 dutch beers ready for your tasting pleasure.

http://www.arendsnest.nl/index.htm

They also offer a sample platter which gives you 6 small glasses of different beers to try!

Or go to www.thebda.com and get some recommendations there.

Nip into De Wildeman off Kalverstraat, and ask for the barman's reccomendation. They have Dutch, Belgian, Czech, French, English and German beers. Or have a kwaak in Cafe Belgique.

If you are from the UK try this link www.beersofeurope.co.uk all your fav Dutch & Belgian beers for home delivery.

What he said,
or a La Trappe dubel

And Gadders certainly knows his beers....I can attest to that!

I love the belgian beers......especially the Westv....whatever :lol:
I also have a soft spot for Leffe Brun.

I enjoy spending a few hours in Gollem when in Amsterdam....last time I was there there was a tap beer called Saisson (sp?), not sure where it was from, but it was beautiful.

I enjoyed the witte bier at various places and there was also a locally-brewed brand that I had at the Nes Cafe. The name escapes me now but the bottle had a tan label. It was superb.

Gotta agree with Vermeer about the Heineken served on the "Experience" tour, absolutely top notch lager! On the last night of our last trip I discovered the joys of Amstel Bock, a very dark tasty beer. Couldn't really afford to get hammered on it due to an early flight home next morning, but when we visit again in September I'll certainly be doing a more in depth analysis!

Peace, Des.

I think I did indeed try some last time in the Dam. I had it at Rick's cafe and it was served in a more wine-looking glass. Is it Belgian beer? Regardless, it was tasty. I hope to take Vermeer's advice and try some Trappist beers this March.

Best Dutch beer? Hard to say. La Trappe Quadruple or Columbus... I'd have to say Columbus.

Was it Hoegaarden by any chance? A whitbier.

Drinking one now! Mmmmmmmmm

Came across it a few years ago and fell in love. I remember paying 1.50 ? for a pint at most places. Unfortunately it runs something like $13-$14 per 6-pack here :(

Good stuff though. I believe it may be a Belgium beer or Flemish?

-d3kings

Yes, not only do A-B they claim that they own the name "Budweiser", which was used for beer centuries before A-B existed, but they also claim that "Budvar" infringes on their trademark! Only in the US has this bizarre claim been accepted, partly because the US courts so often rule in favor of the side that can spend more millions for lawyers. Harrassment lawsuits like actually claiming that "Budvar" infringes on them are part of their plan to beat Budejovicky Budvar (the Czech brewery) down.

Note that in the US, you can call almost any fizzy wine "Champagne", which is illegal in much of the world for wine that does not actually come from Champagne. Switzerland is one of the few regions that have been able to fight such things successfully in US courts. The "Swiss Chalet" chain of motels had to change to "Susse Chalet" and then the Swiss government decided not to pursue it further. Typically, a huge megalomaniac corporation like A-B will hammer at something that even sounds to their trademark, and if they can throw enough money into the suit, they usually win. That's what it's all about in the US civil court system.

If your good Gadreel I will bring you a bottle of Anchor Steam from San Francisco.

Pa

Budweiser must have won a suit or something because the beer you guys are referring to is called Czechvar in the US. Good stuff, but for pils nowhere beats the Munich region. Mmmmm Hofbrau.
And Gadreel, don't know if any good American beers are exported but we have a lot. Most of the good ones are at smaller brew pubs only off the tap.
Try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Rogue IPA. Red Hook also make some good beers. Here lately I've been drinking the shit out of Fuller's 1845, from the UK though. Anyone know of any good American bock beers?
Around here it's all Shiner, too sweet not enough flavour.

Heresy!
The other white beer? There are only two? Oh, you poor uneducated mob.

My favorite is definately Oranjeboom!

"Palm"...dammit!

I think I have a new favorite Dutch beer. The second location of De Beiaard at Spui is De Bekeerde Suster (Little Sister) located off the Nieuwe Markt. This used to be Maximiliaan before they went bankrupt a couple of years ago. Recently they have started brewing again.

The new beer is called Tom Ton. Currently both locations are serving batch #3. I have been fortunate enough to try them all and the new brew is the best so far (IMHO). It is a light blonde beer with a bit of a fruity (apricot) taste with a nice dry finish.

If you get a chance to stop in either location, treat yourself to this very nice beer. I am sure you will like it.

Later,

?Meer

PS, here is a nice Dutch beer link that I ran across.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~patto1ro/amsintr.htm

Next time you're in town get over to Herengracht to t'Arendsnest. At least 12 draught Dutch beers and a menu of hundreds of bottled ones too. They do a cool 'tasting menu' of 4 small glasses of different styles for ?6.

Just a quick hop over a bridge to Amnesia, too....what could be better?

Stopping in at Sauna Deco across the street for a few hours, then having dinner at the Belgian restaurant Lieve next door to t'Arendsnest, then hitting t'Arendsnest for a few beers and then hopping over to Amnesia.

Anyone else have a stop to add?

If you can find it on tap - you gotta go for La Chouffe. My buddy and I found it at Cafe Gollem on a small street off the Spui. The tastiest Belgium you'll ever drink in my opinion. Careful though, I describe it as dangerously drinkable. Have fun.

If your good Gadreel I will bring you a bottle of Anchor Steam from San Francisco.

Pa

When I was studying in the US, the north-eastern PA town I was in was a beer desert. Bars only had gennesse (swill) or rolling rock (swill, but without the putrid aftertaste). The warnings I'd had about American beer seemed to be true. Then a bar owner took pity on we poor euros (English, Scottish, German exchange students) and ordered a crate of SF anchor steam beer. Not the best beer in the world, but very drinkable. He had to reorder. A lot.

As for AB, while it's true that they predate the current budvar brewery (and in the 19thC produced a fine beer), prohibition and the consequent use of poor quality ingredients (rice!!!) mean that it is now not a beer at all, but an alchoholic caramel coloured beverege, drunk by folk who don't know any better.

Tonight, I shall be drinking Crop Circle (West Berkshire Brewery, 5%) with mead and rhubarb wine chasers until my legs stop working.

i enjoy bavarian beer that is made from citrus and other ingredients

My vote is for the local microbrewery t' ij (pronounced Brewery I). They produce many that will knock your socks off. They are available on tap around town and in bottles at the Bierkonig. You can also visit their brewery and pub on the southeast outskirts of town under a huge windmill.

Cheers M8!

No Dommelsch here in the states : (

I have a Dommelsch glass though that I pour amstel light in and reminice while smokin a Dutch cone joint with Miami's finest krypto rolled proper.

De Konnick is the best beer in the dam. Quality, quality beer.

Just wondering what was the faves of the forum posters?[/quo

Oranjeboom for me which is a shame because I think someone mentioned that it is being phased out.

:-)

I enjoy the Columbus from there also a few of the stronger ones, I think it's calle Zatte.

Cheers everybody, I feel like pourin' me a cold one.

my picks are Heineken and Grolsch . You did say favorite NL beers but my all time favorites are from the Czech Republic .

(_)-

Ok then, just to keep this going a bit...lol... Do you notice any similarity in the color and font?

http://www.europebyphoto.com/images/prague/xbud.jpg

Amsterdam/Berlin/Timbuktu, whatever, it's just semantics. White/Black whatever. Andechs, St Louis, it's all the same beer. :-

Do a google search for budweiser budvar and get both sides of the story, not just the point of view of aBudweasel shill.

Imagine a Czech company tradmarking "St Louis" and then demanding that Anheuser Busch remove all references to St Louis on their bottles. Budweiser is more than just a brand name, it means it came from Budweis (also known as Budejovice). The city's claim to the name predfates the American brewery by centuries, even if the brewery is not as old as the American brewery.

A-B actually sued to prevent the Czech brewery from using the names Budvar and Budejovice in Denmark!

I'd love a list of them. Up for a trade?

I think you miss the point, but if you're willing to come over and try some beers in the US, then look for these to start with.

Alaskan Amber
Billiken Bok
Red Creek Rambler
Snow Cap
Cove Christmas Ale
Big Shoulders
Banks Brewery (I think that's the name, they're near Mt. Airy, Georgia and make some excellent lambics).

I've spent many a day tasting beers all over Europe but one of my favorites is from the small Andechs monastery a few kilometers from where I grew up south of Munich, Germany, on the Ammersee. I can remember even as a kid going there with the folks and hefting the big 1 liter mas glasses and chomping down on huge white radishes and rock salt. I haven't been back there to try it fresh from the brewery for a few years but if atmosphere contibutes to the drinking experience, and I believe it certainly does, that place is a great one for that.

Copyright/Trademark...whatever...as usual a lame response from the spelling/semantics police with nothing else to contribute.

Budweiser's trademark was 19 years old when Budvar started brewing their beer. Definately not 100 years older. The basis they are going on is that Budvar bought a brewery that predates the Budweiser trademark although they are not continuing on the previous owner's beer recipes.

I'm not taking sides either way on this, it's just a shame when the facts get put out backwards to support another point. If you prefer Budvar over Budweiser then good for you. I think it's better also but they're not going after the same market. It's all about protecting their brand names.

Another thing that was brought up was alcohol content and American beers. You also have to realize that formulations vary by country and what they are licensed to sell there. When my father tried to get a license to sell Budweiser in Sweden, they would only give them permission to sell a 3.2% beer. Budweiser was reformulated for that market with a lower alcohol percentage for that market. Eventually that formula became the basis for Budweiser Light, eventually to be shortened to Bud Light (against August Busch's wishes). Compare apples to apples and not mass-market beer to boutique brands.

Personally I'll drink beer for the flavor I'm going for at the moment, not for the kick. I've suffered through many a beer or barley wine that touted their strength but took a lot of gagging to get through.

I'd love a list of them. Up for a trade?

Ommegang is one of my fav American beers. Of course it's wholly owned by Duvell.

Nikki, there's so much great bear it's difficult to know where to start!

For me, as has been mentioned above, the beers of Brouwerij T'Ij are superb - the Pilzen, Natte, Zatte, Columbus, Bok are all superb. If you can make it to the actual brewery, do so - the choice is better. Otherwise you'll find them in selected bars around town - they had one in Nes Cafe last time I was over, Zatte I think.

There's a beer store on Paleisstraat called de Bierkonieg which sells that and a mind boggling array of other dutch and belgian beers. If you like a beer, definitely check it out.

Otherwise you'll find many other great draught beers - I like Palm, Witte Ros (a Whitebeer), De Konnick, Gulpener....the choice is endless.

hows baout some dutch wheat beers? anybody and a good one to try while im up there?

i've seen brand in the opaque white bottles in the states

Always look on the label when buying Dutch/ Belgian beers at home. More often than not they're actually brewed on an industrial estate just outside Dudley!

Peace, Des.

when you buy heineken in jamiaca, it's brewed in aruba

I've been lurking for quite a while, but I had to chime in on this one. I was disappointed to find out just now that Oranjeboom is being phased out. If I remember correctly, I had it here (in the States) in a bottle, but also at Hotel the Crown's bar on tap. Yummy.

my picks are Heineken and Grolsch . You did say favorite NL beers but my all time favorites are from the Czech Republic .

(_)-

I would like to 2nd Hobie's choices and add another. Zypfer Urtyp from Austria. (not entirely sure of the spelling)

Cans are bad for beer. As are green bottles. I guess they put Heineken in green bottles when they ship to the US for some kind of marketing reason, but it ruins the flavor. Skunky bud: good. Skunky beer: bad.

Brown bottles protect the beer from being "light-struck" (skunked). Green bottles offer no more protection than clear ones. Another factor is freshness. It's just that Dutch beer shipped to the US is no longer fresh when it arrives. Heineken is delicious in Amsterdam, but green-bottle Heniken is swill in the US. The funny-shaped "keg" cans are better -- they don't get light-struck.

I totally agree with Guest here. Only recently have I started drinking Heineken out of the keg cans, and it is much better than the bottle. For one thing the keg cans aren't as nearly "skunky" as the bottles. This is coming from someone that doesn't really enjoy canned beer- It seems like every canned beer I drink reminds me of my frat days that consisted of drinking Nattie light and Keystone.

Oranjeboom and Heineken get my votes. Shame if Oranjeboom is being phased out.

I'll take the Belgian stuff anytime, but the Heineken Tarwebok I had back in '99 was truly the best Dutch beer I've had(I've always missed the t' IJ), I bet it's quite good). I've never seen the tarwebok again. Anybody know anything about that one?

I've had the Tarwebok a few times when I've been in town but it certainly wasn't my favorite bock style beer. I don't recall if I ever had it on a beer tasting round though. It could just be that I tried it out while (or after) working on a bud tasting bout. From what I recall it was cloyingly sweet, which overpowered everything else.

The belgians make the better brews, my favorite 'pint' would be Gulpener. Oranjeboom is an atrocity, we call it 'slootwater'. It gives a nasty headache and tastes horrible. Good dutch beers are Grolsch, some of the heineken variations are rather good as well. But our southern neightbours take the cake when it comes to craftmanship.

The beer at the Nes cafe, which is their house beer, is Gulpener. This one and Grolsch are two of my favorites. De konnick is nice too although i do believe it is a belgian beer.

Slainte,
JUJU

Palm...Palm...Palm

Yowsie!

Palm...Palm...Palm

Yowsie!

I discovered Palm last week - very nice but Heiny's from the Experience are my favourites :)

...Boner...

Palm...Palm...Palm

Yowsie!

I discovered Palm last week - very nice but Heiny's from the Experience are my favourites :)

...Boner...

Boner discovered Palm...heh heh...

But he likes Heiny better.

hiya

with one exception i've found that i'm satisfied with just about any house pils you throw at me. that one exception oddly enough is oranjeboom, which every time i've tried it has left me wracked with regret. but the thing is, except for one time in 1988, i've only ever tried oranjeboom at one place (my local) -- and the bartenders there won't touch the stuff. was there a plumbing mishap years ago, are they accidentally running the oranjeboom lines through the men's urinal on the way to the tap? or let's put it this way -- if i wanted to give oranjeboom one last try before extinction, what's a good place to try it at?

i guess i'm not into fancy beer. i can't drink budweiser etc, but brand or gulpener or grolsch or heineken whatever i don't complain. one time some people took me to "in de wildeman" which was famed for its amazing beer selection. place was jammed with connoisseurs. i asked the bartender to give me the closest thing to a gewoon pilsje. took a couple swigs of whatever he gave me, then i ended up across the street having a house beer with one other crowd-escaper summoned by mobile.

one thing i've noticed is that if you have canned stuff in the fridge, your dutch guests will drink up the grolsch first before attacking the heineken. i guess that says something.

love
s g collins

Loved that last post SG....through the urinals....had me giggling.

My faves are palm,oranjboom,and the heiny!

Although my FAVORITE beer of all time is a french brew called "abbey de la phlegm"(i know...flem doesnt sound too enticing) It's a beer made by monks in an abbey in france....its superb!!!

Cheers!
TheGoat

Yes, I go to lots of them. There's one tonight. I'm going.

This "bitter drunk" knows that of which he speaks. Hey Gadreel, how about a "pub crawl" during the week prior to Koninginedag for the beer loving Channelites who will be in town? Got any BDA T-shirts in large sizes?

PaWe can do that. Heck, we can do anything. No T-shirts as yet, despite them first being suggested over 2 years ago. (That's not a criticism Gadreel, it's a fact)

Beer- if you dont like Budweiser - try Budvar - original brew - very very nice....

True, did you ever hear that the American company tried to sue the Czech company?

Yup - luckily they lost..cant remember on what grounds - was it infringement or something along those lines?

King of Beers my arse...

Yup - luckily they lost..cant remember on what grounds - was it infringement or something along those lines?

King of Beers my arse...They tried to do them for copright infringement but lost due to the fact that the Czech brewery was actually older than their's. You have to laugh.

Yup - luckily they lost..cant remember on what grounds - was it infringement or something along those lines?

King of Beers my arse...

grin - yep - though you would have thought that they could afford slightly better lawyers than that...

Well, even if you don't like Budweiser, the truth is that it predates Budvar. Neither one is supposed to be an imitation of the other. The lawsuit is about the use of the name, which Anheuser-Busch has a copyright on throughout most of the world. Without it being enforced, they can't market Budweiser in many of the same markets.

Actually I don't like American Bud, some low alcohol beers aren't too bad but Bud's just not nice.

It's tomorrow. Anyone else want to join us Thursday 10th for a beer?

I don't drink it either, even though my father retired a few years ago as their head of export marketing. Yeah, blame him for bringing it over to Ireland and making it outsell everything else. Actually that was just an excuse for him to be able to make trips to visit family on the company tab and sponsor the Irish Derby so he could get VIP treatment there.

Trying to compare Bud or any other American lager to a Belgian lambic or quality ales is totally ridiculous though. You drink MGD or Bud or Coors because you want something lighter in flavor alltogether. Any of the ads that purport one of those to have more or better flavor than the other is completely subjective and none would be compared to a Duvel anyway. Let's compare Pepsi to Orange Fanta, they're both sodas after all.

If I'm at a bar for hours watching a football game I'm much more likely to be drinking a Bud Light or Amstel Light (neither one has any flavor to speak of) than an available microbrew because after 4 or 5 beers the ales get too heavy. To each his own but being snobbish about American beers being devoid of taste is not only misinformation but is just one person's opinion. I could find just as many fine American microbreweries that could compete on any stage with small Belgian breweries.

I'd love a list of them. Up for a trade?

It's tomorrow. Anyone else want to join us Thursday 10th for a beer?Oh, yes, it's the footie tonight.

Yup - luckily they lost..cant remember on what grounds - was it infringement or something along those lines?

King of Beers my arse...

No it had nothing to do with copyright; it was trademark.

No. Can't copyright a beer name.

Oh, OK.

Whatever. From what I understand there have been lawsuits over these trademarks all over the world and most countries come out in favour of the Czechs because they predate the Yanks on this one by 100 years.

Exceptions include Korea, apparently.

If your good Gadreel

BOhannon finally makes a grammatical error. LOL at BOhannon.

Yes, not only do A-B they claim that they own the name "Budweiser", which was used for beer centuries before A-B existed, but they also claim that "Budvar" infringes on their trademark! Only in the US has this bizarre claim been accepted, partly because the US courts so often rule in favor of the side that can spend more millions for lawyers. Harrassment lawsuits like actually claiming that "Budvar" infringes on them are part of their plan to beat Budejovicky Budvar (the Czech brewery) down.

Note that in the US, you can call almost any fizzy wine "Champagne", which is illegal in much of the world for wine that does not actually come from Champagne. Switzerland is one of the few regions that have been able to fight such things successfully in US courts. The "Swiss Chalet" chain of motels had to change to "Susse Chalet" and then the Swiss government decided not to pursue it further. Typically, a huge megalomaniac corporation like A-B will hammer at something that even sounds

I could be wrong here....but isnt money,and who can buy the best lawyers the deciding factor in most countris?not just the states? Maybe mucky or someone who knows of the legal system in the u.k. or other EU countries could enlighten us on the similarities/differences.

TheGoat

Wiekse Witte is the other white beer. Different flavor, very smooth. They have a white beer at Trader Joes that comes wrapped in 11 oz cans. Pretty good if you like that. WW's on tap with a slice of lemon in Amsterdam are the best.

If your good Gadreel

BOhannon finally makes a grammatical error. LOL at BOhannon.

Damn! busted at last. Your very good guest! lol

Pa

IMHO thebest beers in North America are made by Unibrou(Spelling might be wrong), Belgian style ales from Canada. That said Goose island's Frere Jaques and XMAS ales are also damn good. US microbrews tend to overhop everything but are still head and shoulders above MGD,Bud etc.

Coffee is at is finest when it is roasted no more than a day or two before use, and when it is ground fresh for each use. So I can't understand why Senseo's marketing has been so successful. It's mass-produced coffee, and it's roasted and ground long before use, losing flavor the whole time. I've had it, and although it had a nice "crema" texture, it seems absurd to pay premium prices when you can get real freshly roasted coffee for a lot less, and grind it yourself in a grinder that is a lot simpler to use than the Senseo contraption.

A complicated fancy gizmo, and overpriced stale coffee. That was my impression. But very succesful marketing. If people pay enough for second-rate products and weird hardware, they can convince themselves that it MUST be better! A simple grinder and a french press, and FRESS coffee that hasn't been prepackages and overpriced beat that Senseo stuff for actual flavor, and it's not really even close.

I got a senseo for christmas.I also like the dark roast.I have heard there are other flavors as well but I have not found them.I would also appreciate tips.

Thank you Moe and LTD.Those sites are helpful.

Here's a site with a wide variety of senseo pods and other goodies from NL

http://www.dutchtaste.com/index.php?cPath=29_48&osCsid=aaac5031d991a24b7c9325fe1118d797

Wow! Thanks! Those prices are pretty amazing too. The packages that I get are 18 pods, 125 grams and cost $4.29, slightly less at CostCo. I saw a post somewhere about a reusable pod device into which you can put any coffee. That also interests me.

Pa

Doc,

Maybe you should send it my way and I will work out all the bugs for you.

OK...OK...I broke down and bought one of those "sensco" coffee machines.

I did it based on the recommendations here...and on the fact that after just getting back from AMS...I was having a tough time with US coffee.

So far so good. The medium strength seemed weak to me. But the dark roast was pretty darn good. Not AMS quality but better than Starbucks.

So any tips or tricks of the trade as far as the machine or the coffee?

Doc

That is a very impressive selection indeed LTD, with a dozen different DE flavors, there should be something there for everyone. Senseo owners rejoice!

moe.

Here's a site with a wide variety of senseo pods and other goodies from NL

http://www.dutchtaste.com/index.php?cPath=29_48&osCsid=aaac5031d991a24b7c9325fe1118d797

Here is a link to a place that sells other brands of Senseo refills, Bo should be interested in this one, he loves his Senseo.
http://www.one-cup-coffee-maker.com/coffee-pods.htm

moe.
a tea drinker

Ah, I like the Senseo. I can understand the fresh ground problem. The Senseo is about the easiest thing to use on the planet though. I didn't find anything the least bit complicated about it.

Bev swears by her french press and grinder, she specifically instructed me to NOT get her a Senseo for Christmas for just that reason, to each his own I say.

moe.

a lot of waste in the packaging for what is really just supermarket coffee. they should make it possible to load your own (better quality) cofee into the pods, as was referenced in bohannons post. the coffee maker is unique, but there is nothing special about their coffee. except that buying the coffemaker creates a dependant customer for the coffee. that's the real innovation here. sell the equipement, and the punter will be much more likely to buy the overpriced coffee after that. ingenous, innit? that's why senseo is not interested in re-usable pods. it would destory their whole business plan.

you can by the re-usable pods on ebay, but not from senseo (philips). if you buy the 125g package at the going rate, you're paying about 100 euros per kilo. the coffee just is not 100-euro-per-kilo quality.

Target stores. 18 pods for about $3.50. With better-fresher coffee in the pods I might have real AMS coffee at home.

But this stuff is pretty good. Easier to use than my normal machine. Fresh brewed every time. And no mess and work of grinding.

No its not perfect. But it is pretty good.

Doc

Well, I guess $14/lb is a lot better than $65/lb (107E/kg), but $14/lb is still a lot of money for coffee that wish was fresher. My time would have to be worth over $125/hr to make the "no more mess and work of grinding" a good deal, and that's before you consider that freshly ground coffee still tastes like coffee, and those Senseo packes taste like mass produced supermarket coffee. Philips/Senseo has learned much from Phineas Taylor Barnum!

Here's a site with a wide variety of senseo pods and other goodies from NL

http://www.dutchtaste.com/index.php?cPath=29_48&osCsid=aaac5031d991a24b7c9325fe1118d797

Nice website but it is ashame about the prices they charge. This website is probably breaking the law by not selling it`s goods at Netherlands high street prices. At those prices they should not have the cheek to charge for shipping! I have seen a few items on this site that I bought on a recent trip to the Netherlands for far less at high street shops. Just one example is A 50G PACK OF DRUM HAND ROLLING TOBACCO. On this website they have it priced at ?8.30 but the actual Netherlands high street price from any tobacconist, supermarkt etc is ?4.60. I do love dutch goods but at these prices I would rather wait until my next visit than pay these rip off prices.

i think we underestimate what shitty coffee we drink in usa. Nothing quite like coffee in Europe. We drink the worst coffee! I actually think of coffee in anywhere I have been in Europe with the most fondest memories. That is an impedest to going back! I almost think I spend more on coffee than food sometimes in Europe. But not more than smoke in Dam.
Drink that dark brew,
chichi

If you drink shitty coffee in the US, it's by choice. Coffee of outstanding excellence can be found in both the US and Europe, and many other places, if you care to drink it. The mass produced supermarket swill in NL may be a little fresher than the supermarket swill in the US, but it's still swill. There's more to US coffee than the abomination served by charbuck$.

I agree that you can certainly get coffee in the US just as good as any you will find in Europe or anywhere else. It's a simple matter of avoiding the mass market crap out there.

Yes, yes, I know they are a naff souvenir
but does anyone know of any coffee shops
that sell T'shirts with their name on it, etc.
Cheers for any help

Yes, yes, I know they are a naff souvenir
but does anyone know of any coffee shops
that sell T'shirts with their name on it, etc.
Cheers for any help

Lots do. Grasshopper certainly does. I'm sure the Bulldog chain did too.

Some of the smaller ones too. I seem to recall Abraxas having some, but I could be wrong...

Naff souvenir or not, they're a reminder of happy days. My favourite 'Dam souvenir is a Amsterdam Flag which my missus won't let me hang in the lounge on account of its naffness.

Fucking bitch.

Perhaps those of us who are attending the Channels 10 year anniversary and/or Nol's pool tournament should think about having some "commerative" t-shirts made?

Pa

A large Amsterdam flag is one of the coolest souvenirs ever. And if I ever find the bastard that stole mine from my office at work, there will be hell to pay. Guess I'll have to get another in April...

Naff souvenir or not, they're a reminder of happy days. My favourite 'Dam souvenir is a Amsterdam Flag which my missus won't let me hang in the lounge on account of its naffness.

Muckypup

Is this a red and white flag with 3 black X's in the centre. If so, then it is the coolest decoration for any bedroom.

Has replaced my Pink Floyd poster and makes a great talking point for anyone who happens to see it.

?15 Euros is $19, Still expensive tho...

Actually you nit picker, its $19.46 at todays rate, lol. I was still using the $1.36X1 Euro exchange rate. Today the rate is at $1.30X1 Euro. That is good news for us merikins.

milehigh

Noon also sell t shirts & baseball caps.

and 5 grams of lovely Blueberry for ?20

Dampkring had some cool ones, but they were expensive.

milehigh

Strange they are so expensive now. I remember a friend geting one last year for 15euros..

It's the power of film.
I popped in on my last visit in October and I must say I was more than disappointed. I have been in De Dampkring many many times and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. This time however it was over run with Brad/George fans.
Hopefully by next year the novelty would have worn off and normal service will be resumed.

i got a real nice shirt from rookies coffeeshop,and they have a souveiner shop across the street from the shop. i love my barney's shirt the best.

Cheers everyone for your help.

Seems like most of the larger coffee shops sell them.
I'm going on a bit of a tour around the coffee shops
so will definitely take all your advice and call in on
the ones recommended. Just want 1 really decent
T'shirt that's not too blatant but subtle.

Cracking and helpful web site BTW.
Thanks again.

I agree with MHD - nice posting Crayon - a fresh voice is nice to hear (see, read, etc.) on the forum. One thing though, your use of personal pronouns is already getting a little old. Reminds me a little of ex-big league pitcher Dennis `Oil Can' Boyd, who referred to himself as "The Can." Example:

"I am The Can, and I am going to come right at you with my best shit, and if you can hit it, I want to see how far Bo Jackson can hit The Oil Can."

My favourite 'Dam souvenir is a Amsterdam Flag which my missus won't let me hang in the lounge on account of its naffness.

Fucking bitch.

What are ye... some kind puffster? Take the skirt off and put up the flag!

Barneys had t-shirts and hats and such in september.Also the greenhouse's all had shirt's and hats as well.And when I was there last march I stopped at picasso for the usual last stop(also always the first) and the guy saw how bummed out I was that I had to go home he ran upstairs and got the last shirt they had and gave it to me,so maybe you will get lucky as well just hanging out somewhere.

Dampkring had some cool ones, but they were expensive.

milehigh

Dampkring had some cool ones, but they were expensive.

milehigh

Strange they are so expensive now. I remember a friend geting one last year for 15euros..

In November the Oceans 12 T-shirts were 35 Euros. Even 15 Euros is over $20.00 US. Whichs still seems expensive for a T

milehighThey're not the only ones though. I trekked out to the Harley dealer my last visit in '03 (Metro to the 'burbs and then a 20+ minute walk) just to get T-shirts for a few friends and they were just over 30 Euros too.

I can see that I'll be going broke this time around - the wife intends to buy coffeeshop t-shirts at every opportunity she gets.

Yes it is, and yes it would be a perfect decoration were I the 20 year-old student I seem to think I still am.

Unfortunately, I'm not, and the creative director says the bedroom's minimalist. The bedroom is therefore, minimalist. Flags on the wall are a no-no.

I have a small office in the house. It's draped on the wall in there. Big fucking thing.

Is this a red and white flag with 3 black X's in the centre.

Almost correct!
The Amsterdam flag has two red stripes and one black.
On the black stripe, which is in the middle, are the 3 Andreas crosses.

Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Heroic, Firm, Charitable)

X
X
X

La Canna and Abraxas have cool looking shirts
also Seeds direct and fantaseeds seeds
and Rokerij

Yes it is, and yes it would be a perfect decoration were I the 20 year-old student I seem to think I still am.

Ha Ha - I am a 22 year old student :-)

Just want 1 really decent
T'shirt that's not too blatant but subtle.

Then a Kasmir Lounge T is what you want.

Baba's has a nice black tee with red and gold ganesh and lettering. Don't remember the pricetag, but if it was tres cher I wouldnta bought it.

El Tesoro

grey area,the doors,funny people,blues brothers,hunters bar,homegrown fantasy,excalibur has some cool harley shirts,route 66,stone's cafe,route 99.i know that these places have them for sure.

Lucky cunt.

Rusland T with a big ol' hammer and sickle on it. Willy Wortels gives you a free shirt with a nights stay.

Does anyone have any pictures of the cool sounding t-shirts?

Its the ODDEST thing here...for some reason people here don't seem to have cameras or pictures of the things they are always talking about. HMMMM

Yeah, I rarely have any picture of things I talk about, or anything else. Carryin' a camera around is a major pain in the ass. I keep my memories in my head, where I can access them whenever I want. I certainly don't go to Amsterdam so I can take pictures for other people to see!

well i live to take pictures and have whatever you wanna see from amsterdam on my digi. heres a link to a picture i took of all the trinkets i bought while in amsterdam.if you look through this site you will see lot's of people take pictures. peace!
http://p.vtourist.com/691941-Souvenir_Shops-Amsterdam.jpg

these were treats that didn't make it home,or did they???
http://p.vtourist.com/785959-Sports_Travel-Amsterdam.jpg

Excitable, you are a good man. You don't see people volunteering much here saying "i live to take pictures and have whatever you wanna see from amsterdam on my digi."

You sure have a lot of cigarette lighters there. Could you arrange your lighters together and post a picture of them on a place like http://tinypic.com so we can see which ones you got? The photo you posted is too small to really see what is what. Thanks man.

Siberie has T-shirts and other accessories.

MileHighDenver: Unless you grow your own weed AND hemp, if you can afford the reefer, you can afford the Tshirt. The quality and depth of your desire is something else entirely.

The Crayon has the Amsterdam Flag on a stick hanging in our front room.

muckypup: After pondering your prolific prose, one can but wonder what your missus posts on her favorite forums. Never underestimate the benevolence of women.

Skeez: Right-click the picture, save it, and you can manipulate it to make it as big as you want, using the software for viewing pictures on your computer. Cameras with more megapixels produce pictures which enlarge at correspondingly higher quality.

Some of us enjoy photography for personal enjoyment. If your camera is a burden, you lack the right equipment. SlyCrayon could display pictures of many things, but your mother does not live here, sorry.

Form follows function. Those who can, do. Those who can't, whine about it to everyone who will listen. This is self-evident by the diverse content available on the Channels. Flaming is indubitably the fight-or-flight response which occurs when the primitive brain reacts before the rational part of the brain has received the neural message. To continue in this vein, read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.

Sly, no offense man but your suggestion deosn't work as I already tried that anyway. Enlarging the poor quality photo makes it bigger but pixelated so you can't see anything clearly either.

Whats needed is a better picture and maybe Excitable will post it.

MileHighDenver: Unless you grow your own weed AND hemp, if you can afford the reefer, you can afford the Tshirt. The quality and depth of your desire is something else entirely.

Priorities I guess. Isn't weed AND hemp the same thing? lol.. I know some guys that grow, does that count? I guess my desire is weak when it comes to T shirts. I take some photos, and try to remember things, but souviniers are nice. I think I still have a bulldog coaster from my first trip.

mhd

btw: love your posts Slycrayon

Two of my favorite T-shirts to wear to the gym--my 2e Kamer shirt and my Softland shirt. http://img63.exs.cx/img63/7021/coffshirt7lq.jpg

and what does this have to do with coffeeshops?

cheers mate I will

I will miss you by nine days.Have a good time.

on the 8th of april?drinks are on me.

What do you think???????.some people

Excellent advice from SlyCrayon (love the name, lol). I would a few things. Get a "Streetwise" map of Paris as it has all essential information on it, is durable, discreet and easy to use (Metro lines and streets as suggested above). Also, use and understand the metro (get a book of tickets , un carte, I think). Most of the main metro stations have a very coo device on the wall near the ticket booth. It is a wall map with little lights on it. You simply push the button for your destination and a path of little lights will show you the route. Walking: Paris is a "monumental" city built on a grand scale, everything looks closer than it is. Without using public transportation you will wear yourself out walking. Having said that a great way to spend your day is to walk from Notre Dame, through Le Louvre, Les Jardins de Tulleries and along the Champs Elissés (sic, sorry about my spelling) to the Arc d'Triumphe. This is a long walk that should take the better part of a day but it is fantastic! Take the metro back to your hotel as you will be quite done with walking! Enjoy, Paris is one of the greatest cities in the world.

Pa

Footnote: I agree that if you at least attempt to use French initially you will be better treated. The usual response from someone that you greet this way will be to cringe at your pronunciation and then to switch to English lest you desacrate their beloved mother tongue, and then to be very nice and helpful. I will go on record here as stating that in my few days in Paris I never encountered any rudeness whatsoever.

If you have unlimited time and a strong desire to mingle with the people, you could inquire about possible Euroliner bus routes. I have spent many weeks in Paris, but never travelled across Europe by bus. It will be very slow, but exciting due to the nature of Gallic drivers.

If you want perfume you can get most of the same stuff they have in Paris at one of the many Paris XL shops located in the Nederland or Belgium. Bruxelles Grand Place and environs have fine shopping and better prices than Paris. Ditto Amsterdam's Kalverstraat. Yeah, I know, you still want to go to Paris.

Thalys first class will give you a nice meal and great service. You always do pay an extra surcharge to train into Paris (typical French droit de seigneur), and will need reservations even if you have a rail pass. Another one of the many reasons we prefer Nederland to France, but you will need to learn for yourself. A nice unleashed dog accompanied by armed gendarmes sniffed at my legs as I stepped onto the platform upon arrival at Gare du Nord last year.

Get a complete map with all the Metro and bus lines and STREETS (just the lines will not help you if you cannot easily cross-reference with a street map) when you are in Paris. If the info window at le gare doesn't have one, try the info desk at Opera station Metro. You will see more riding buses, but the Metro may be faster. Get a good map of Paris before you arrive. Rough Guide maps are water- and tear-proof or get a Berndtson map from a large bookstore. You will waste hours if you do not know where you are and where you are going.

Carry ALL your valuables zipped up and totally inside your clothing, because while you are crushed among the populace on bus or Metro, someone will have their hands in your backpack, arsepack, purse and/or pockets. Personal experience, multiple occasions. There are schools for pickpockets. The stories about coats rigged with bells for practice are true.

Also, unless they approach with bewildered look and ask for directions, NO one who comes up to you on the street or in the train stations of Paris has any intention of anything but separating you from your currency, covertly or overtly. Keep walking. Do not allow anyone to "help" you with your luggage or "offer" to help you find your way; this sort of assistance is followed by a request for money and those people are professionals. Read Let's Go guide before you go.

If you can muster any attempts at the French language, you should do so. When you walk into a shop or restaurant, it is appropriate to greet, "Bon jour, Monsieur" or "Bon jour, madame" and exit with "Merci, Monsieur" or "Merci, Madame." "Est-ce que vous parlez Anglais, s'il vous plait?" will get you farther than just jumping into a conversation in English. It is a different culture; if you want to really understand, get the book "French or Foe?" by Polly Platt.

Get interactive language software at:
http://www.e-dealsusa.com/edlaidx.htm
Very few Europeans fail to be amused by the attempt of the tourist to speak a bit of their language. Bonne journee!

Cheapest way from Amsterdam to Paris is by bus.
one way ticket ? 40
return ticket ? 69
There are 6 busses going to Paris every day.
first one is departure 7.15 am - arrival 3.30 pm
last one is departure 10 pm - arrival 6 am
They depart from Julliana plein/Amstel station.
http://webapp.eurolines.nl/websitenl/index_nlen.asp

Runner

Why on earth do you want to go to Paris its a right shithole.
Im guessin your from the us?no one in there right mind would want to go to paris or franch for that matter.

I've check it and find a price at 97?
looking for charter flights or cheaper trains.
Helppp me plz :)

I have done alittle research and seems like the (Thalas)<-- could be wrong, train will take you there for about 100.00 US

Does anyone know the cheapest way to pass Paris from Amsterdam?

Dix billets sont un carnet. Pas de confondre avec la carte orange, qui c'est pour un mois.

Since the Crayon looks over the heads of most of the locals when standing in the Metro (the French are generally smaller in stature than the Dutch), discretion is rarely a concern. We stop at a cafe, order a pichet du vin and flip out all the big maps, Berndtson and M/RER/Bus Grand Plan Lignes et Rues. One can ride buses all the way northwest from Place de la Concorde past L'Arc de Triomphe out to Grande Arche de la Defense for a panoramic view of the city which includes La Tour Eiffel. Below is an underground mall. The underground station Defense sells the carte orange during the first three days of each month; you will need a small picture.

http://www.channels.nl/paris/
Any more about Paris should be on another Channel...

Non, c'est pour une semaine.

Many thanks for informing me all the things. I've jsut came from Hong Kong - Macau - Bangkok trip so I have now so much money to spend.
I'm from Israel and I'm now in Istanbul because I have to pick my old friends. I wanted to go to Trance Energy 2005 but no way: :(
we changed our route to Amsterdam 3days - Paris 2.5 days.
I see that 4 ways to go to Paris.
- Rental Car around 100? per day 6-7 hour by driving.
- Charter Flight with heart attack ( one of my Dutch friend said that )
- Bus with cheap and long trip whole night but without spending money to hotel :)
- Speed train around 94? Thayl.

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