amstel
amstel Lexical Profile
• noun
A popular brand of Dutch beer, traditionally a pilsner, originally brewed near the Amstel river.
"He ordered an ice-cold Amstel at the pub while waiting for the football match to begin."
A river in the Netherlands that flows through the city of Amsterdam and empties into the IJ bay.
"Tourists often enjoy scenic evening boat cruises along the Amstel to admire Amsterdam's historic illuminated bridges."
Word Nuance & Usage
Outside the Netherlands, 'Amstel' is most frequently recognized as a beer brand, while geographically it refers to the river that gave Amsterdam its name. As a proper noun, it should always be capitalized.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old Dutch 'Aeme-stelle', meaning 'water-area' or 'abounding in water'. It is the river from which the city of Amsterdam (historically Amstelredamme, meaning a dam on the Amstel) takes its name.