11 Interesting Facts About Heineken

Heineken is one of the most recognizable beer brands in the world, originating from Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1864 when Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the De Hooiberg brewery. Today, Heineken N.V. is the second-largest brewer globally, producing over 300 types of beer and cider across 190 countries. As of 2023, Heineken’s revenue was approximately €28.7 billion ($30 billion), and it holds a significant share of the global beer market.

Interesting Facts

1. The Iconic Green Bottle: The brand’s signature green bottle was introduced in 1884 as part of a rebranding effort to stand out among the darker bottles used by other breweries at the time. The color and the unique red star logo helped Heineken gain attention worldwide.
2. The Heineken Family Legacy: Heineken has remained a family-run business since its inception. The current CEO, Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, is one of the richest women in the world. She inherited her position in 2002, making her one of the few female leaders in a global beer empire.
3. First Beer to Go Global: In 1933, Heineken became the first European beer to be imported to the United States after the end of Prohibition, giving it a significant early advantage in the U.S. market. Its ability to expand into international markets made it a global brand early on.
4. Heineken’s Unique Fermentation Process: Heineken uses a “A-yeast” strain, which is crucial to its distinct taste. Discovered in 1886, this yeast strain has been used ever since. The company prides itself on keeping the yeast’s formula a secret and consistently producing the same quality beer worldwide.
5. The World’s Most International Beer: Heineken is often referred to as the most international beer. Available in 190 countries, it’s brewed in more than 165 breweries worldwide. No other beer brand has reached such a wide audience on this scale.
6. Heineken Experience: In Amsterdam, the original Heineken brewery has been transformed into a major tourist attraction, the Heineken Experience. Visitors can learn about the brewing process, history, and even bottle their own beer.
7. The Freddy Heineken Kidnapping (1983): One of the most notorious incidents in the company’s history was the kidnapping of its chairman, Freddy Heineken, in 1983. He and his driver were abducted in Amsterdam and held captive for three weeks. The kidnappers demanded 35 million Dutch guilders (about $19 million), making it one of the highest ransoms ever at that time. They were eventually released unharmed after the ransom was paid, and the criminals were later caught and convicted.
8. Heineken and Alcohol Advertising Ban in France: In 2021, Heineken faced legal trouble in France for breaking the country’s strict laws on alcohol advertising. The Evin Law prohibits alcohol promotion in public areas, but Heineken’s posters promoting sports events led to heavy fines.
9. COVID-19 and Brewery Closures: The COVID-19 pandemic hit Heineken hard, forcing the company to temporarily shut down breweries worldwide. The company saw a significant drop in sales in 2020, particularly from bars and restaurants, which rely heavily on draft beer sales. Despite this, Heineken has bounced back, but it highlighted the brand’s vulnerability to global crises.
10. Legal Battles over Sponsorship: Heineken has often found itself embroiled in sponsorship legal battles, particularly over major sporting events. In one instance, Budweiser attempted to undercut Heineken’s long-standing sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League, sparking a legal dispute that ended with Heineken retaining its position as a sponsor.
11. Employee Strike: In 2022, workers at Heineken breweries in Spain went on strike over pay and working conditions. This disrupted the production process temporarily and highlighted tensions between Heineken’s management and its workforce.