It’s kind of incredible how it’s taken me almost four years to find myself in the absolute institution of Amsterdam beer scene that is Dopey’s Elixer. Especially since I work about ten minute walk away from it now. Lucky I was invited to visit by a few beer loving friends who happened to be in the area and well – that’s why you’re reading this blog right now.
So let’s get right to it.
What I knew about Dopey’s Elixer before I went
When I say Dopey’s Elixer is a downright institution, I mean it: it was founded in the early seventies, and is one of the last remaining traditional Amsterdam bars. In fact, it’s the oldest surviving brown café in De Pijp. They have that proper brown café vibe, but they’ve adopted some bells and whistles of the modern times too.
Especially when it comes to their beers.
So let’s talk about the beers
They’ve got 24 beers on draft, many of them local craft beer, all of them well-kept and delicious. And as an added delectable bonus they now also have their own jubilee beer on tap – having been around for 50 years and all. They brewed it together with their good friends (and one of my absolute favourite breweries in the Netherlands) Walhalla.
This tasty little number is a pure collaboration between the two, with everyone being super hands-on in the project (as you can see on this video doing it’s rounds on their social media) from recipe to execution. The “J.I.P.A.” (Jubileum IPA, geddit?) is a hazy IPA brewed with American Mosaic and is double dry-hopped with New Zealand Motueka hops. It comes in at a stable 6% so you could easily drink it all day – and you might find yourself doing so, that’s how tasty it is!
When the weather gets a bit warmer, Dopey’s Elixer also has a lovely partially heated terrace for your people watching and beer quaffing needs. It really is a lovely place that has kept the vast majority of it’s original charm, without being left behind the times. And it probably goes without saying that the bar staff are absolutely lovely and always happy to chat with you for ages about beer, life and the universe.
What’s the verdict?
Dopey’s Elixer is the kind of place you stumble upon and never want to leave. From the warmth of its classic brown café vibe to the stellar selection of craft brews and the iconic J.I.P.A., it’s got all the ingredients for a perfect Amsterdam evening. Whether you’re a beer aficionado looking to dive into local flavors or just in the mood for a relaxed chat with some of the friendliest bar staff in town, Dopey’s is a spot that feels like home from the moment you step in. And let’s be honest—there aren’t many places left like this.
So what are you waiting for? Go give Dopey’s Elixer a visit now, you’ll find them on Lutmastraat 49, 1072 JP Amsterdam.
Find Dopey’s Elixer online:
Eat Drink Amsterdam 
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