i've been on many brewery tours all around the United States. They are almost always fun and informative, but after a while many of them start to look and feel the same. When I began planning my Europen tour I was presented the opportunity to tour and taste at Heineken in Amsterdam. Boy am I glad I decided to go!

Heineken doesn't call what they do a tour. Instead, they promote it as "The Heineken Experience" which describes my time there much more accurately. Heineken provides an informative, entertaining and highly interactive experience that combines good old fashioned brewing info, history and a lot of bells and whistles along the way. Here's a look at the highlights.

A detailed explanation of their brewing process including step by step audio visual demonstrations and a detailed look at their famous "strain A" yeast that was used in their first batch of beer in 1840.

Really cool and informative videos that are viewed by sticking your head inside on of the massive brew kettles.

An interactive, multi-media "brew ride" that takes you through each step of the breeding process as though you were the beer being made.

A full beer tasting lesson that takes you through each step of the professional way to taste their famous beer.

A technological overview of their bottling process, including the chance to make your own customized bottle or have on specially engraved.

Several "themed" lounges built around some of their recent ad campaigns.

A modern and sleek tasting bar where you get to sip the famous beet you just learned do much about during the tour.

I'd like to thank the folks at Heineken for being so cool and offering me the chance to enjoy this amazing experience. Special thanks to my friends at Superior Beverage for helping to make this happen.

Next week, we will re-focus on wine as I detail my travels through the Champagne region of France. Cheers!