Wednesday 30th of September 2009 06:53:08 PM

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Originally established in suburban Amsterdam as a means of providing psychiatric patients with work experience, De Prael moved to the city centre in 2008 as part of the local government's efforts to make the Red Light District more respectable.

It has retained its charitable status however and the small brewery behind the main shopfront has a remarkably large and busy workforce.

As of summer 2009 the main tasting room is still under construction and drinking is illegal in Amsterdam shops so the pre- and post-tour tastings were conducted in a side alley and the employees' lounge.

Our tour guide was enthusiastic, but still hadn't quite got the hang of showing visitors around yet.

A charming, almost amateurish, operation, De Prael is a brewery to be toured on its own terms.

Thursday 28th of May 2009 04:31:23 PM

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De Prael is a small, but modern styled brewery, during our visit, we were the only people there around 4 PM. We came here because our Hotel was just around the corner. The location is good and it was not hard to find. The gentleman who served us our beers was very nice, but seemed only there to serve beer, rather then give information on the brewery. This placed felt more like a beer store then a brewery. They had around 5 beers they currently brewed, "in the back" we were told, but not given any kind of tour. We were disappointed by the beer, of the ones we tasted were sweeter then we had preferred. I usually buy a glass from the breweries I visit and was able to purchase a gift box with two beers and one glass in the middle. I doubt I would buy the beer, but if you want to get away from the from the noise of Amsterdam central to enjoy a beer in a modern, clean, and peaceful environment, De Prael might be worth a visit.