Heineken N.V.

On 15 February 1864, Gerard Adriaan Heineken purchased De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam. It is uncertain whether the funds for the acquisition came from his father, a cheese trader, or his mother, who had inherited proceeds from her first husband's family's investments in West Indies slave plantations.

The Heineken Experience is a museum located in the original Heineken brewery in Amsterdam, providing insights into the company's history and brewing processes. It offers interactive exhibits, 'rides,' and tastings for visitors.

In 1869, Heineken transitioned to using bottom-fermenting yeast in their brewing process, a significant development for the company.

The Heineken Brewery was founded in 1873 in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Gerard Adriaan Heineken. It has grown to become one of the largest and most well-known beer brands in the world.

In 1874, Gerard Adriaan Heineken brewed a Pilsner style lager beer using Bohemian yeast, which is still used today. He faced challenges with batches turning sour, leading to advancements in yeast science.

In 1875, Heineken Lager was recognized with an award, solidifying its reputation for quality and excellence.

In 1876, Louis Pasteur published 'Etudes Sur La Bière', discussing beer fermentation and the prevention of souring due to micro-organisms. This publication inspired brewers like Heineken and Henry Younger.

In 1879, Dr. Emil Christian Hansen isolated and described lager yeast (S. pastorianus) at Carlsberg brewery. He developed techniques for pure yeast cultivation, impacting the brewing industry.

Heineken received the prestigious Diplome d’Honneur at Amsterdam’s International Colonial Exhibition in 1883, recognizing the brewery's excellence in brewing. This award further solidified Heineken's position among the world's top manufacturers.

In 1886, Heineken introduced its unique A-Yeast, a key ingredient that sets its beer apart from others in the market.

In 1889, Heineken achieved a significant milestone by winning the Grand Prix Paris, gaining international recognition for its quality.

In 1914, Dr. H.P. Heineken takes over the company and expands Heineken's reach to the United States by appointing an importer in New York, marking the beginning of international expansion for the brewery.

In 1917, Heineken demonstrated its commitment to science and internationalism, showcasing a broader engagement beyond brewing.

Shortly after the end of Prohibition in 1920, Heineken began exporting to the United States, becoming one of the most successful imported beer brands in the country.

In 1931, Heineken entered the first of many joint brewing ventures in countries it exported to, establishing Malayan Breweries in Singapore and later participating in breweries in Indonesia, Nigeria, Zaire, and other African nations.

After the revocation of prohibition in 1933, Heineken Lager became the first European beer permitted into the USA. This marked a significant milestone for Heineken's global expansion and recognition.

Alfred Heineken, after learning about marketing in the U.S., introduced new marketing strategies for the company in 1948. He emphasized the importance of modern conveniences and implemented techniques like selling beer in grocery stores and radio advertising.

In 1951, Heineken emphasized marketing and entrepreneurship, shaping its brand identity and business approach for the future.

In 1963, Heineken established the technical services group H.T.B. to institutionalize its meticulous quality control efforts. The unit provided laboratory services, research on raw materials, project engineering, and other services for all breweries associated with the company.

In 1968, Heineken purchased the Amstel Brewery, Holland's second largest brewery, which was known for brewing lager beers. This acquisition allowed Heineken to diversify its product range and expand its markets internationally.

In 1970, Heineken expanded its product line by purchasing the struggling James J. Murphy brewery in Cork, Ireland, which allowed them to enter the stout market. This acquisition also included the production of Heineken light lager brew under license.

In 1971, Heineken bought the Bokma distillery, known for producing Holland's most popular gin, Bokma Genever. This acquisition further strengthened Heineken's presence in the spirits market.

In 1972, Heineken changed its name from Heineken's Bierbrouwerij Maatschappij N.V. to Heineken N.V. This change reflected the company's evolving global presence and focus on international markets.

In 1980, Heineken entered the low-calorie beer market with the introduction of Amstel Light. This move marked the company's diversification into new product segments to cater to changing consumer preferences.

In 1993, Heineken expanded into China, a rapidly growing beer market, by establishing export offices and breweries in the country.

The Wall Street Journal reports on Heineken's nearing deal to acquire the Spanish brewing unit of Diageo on June 10, 1999.

In 2000, Heineken expressed keen interest in acquiring Bass PLC's brewing operations in the United Kingdom, setting the stage for a potential battle with competitors like SAB, Anheuser-Busch, and Carlsberg A/S.

Heineken has been an integral partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2005, promoting the theme of 'Enjoyed together around the world.'

On 18 April 2007, the European Commission fined Heineken €219.3m for participating in a price fixing cartel in the Netherlands along with Grolsch and Bavaria. The cartel operated between 1996 and 1999, controlling 95% of the Dutch market.

On January 12, 2010, Heineken International purchased the brewery division of Mexican company FEMSA in an all-stock deal, gaining brands like Dos Equis, Sol, Tecate, and expanding its presence in Latin America.

On September 10, 2015, Heineken International revealed its acquisition of a 50% ownership in Lagunitas Brewing Company, enabling the latter to expand globally, albeit losing its craft brewer status due to the stake percentage.

Following the merger between Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller in October 2016, Heineken became the second-largest brewer in the world.

After acquiring 50% of Lagunitas Brewing Company, Heineken declared on May 4, 2017, its intention to buy the remaining 50%, thus becoming the exclusive owner of Lagunitas.

June 2018 marked the appointment of Maggie Timoney as the CEO of Heineken USA, making her the first woman to lead a major beer supplier in the United States.

Heineken Silver, a light beer with 4% alcohol by volume, was introduced in 2020. It is brewed with a blend of malted barley, hops, and water, offering a refreshing and crisp taste while being lower in calories than Heineken Lager Beer.

In June 2021, Heineken raised its ownership in United Breweries of India to 61.5%, gaining majority control over the company.

In March 2022, Heineken decided to leave Russia, including its other brands like Affligem and Amstel, due to the situation in Ukraine. Despite previous investments and new product launches, Heineken found the ownership of its Russian subsidiary no longer sustainable.

In April 2023, Heineken completed the acquisition of Distell and Namibia Breweries, further expanding its portfolio and market presence.

May 2023 saw Heineken N.V. repurchasing €333 million in shares from FEMSA, resulting in FEMSA no longer holding any shares in Heineken N.V. except for those underlying the exchangeable bond.

In August 2023, Heineken announced the sale of its assets in Russia to a local company, Arnest, for a symbolic amount of €1 plus a commitment to repay domestic debt. This move marked the end of Heineken's presence in the Russian market.

In 2024, Heineken N.V. organized a forum for discussions and interactions related to their business and industry.