The Amstel (. [ˈɑmstəl]) is a river in the Netherlands which runs through the city of Amsterdam. The river's name is derived from Aeme-stelle, old Dutch for water-area, namely, an area abounding with water.The well-known bridge Magere Brug in Amsterdam crosses the river, as do the bridges Blauwbrug, Hoge Sluis and Berlagebrug.msterdam has a street named Amstel (along the river), a square named Amstelveld and a train station named Amsterdam Amstel. In the former Dutch colonies in North America, a town was captured from the Swedes in 1655 and renamed Nieuw-Amstel (New Amstel).