Heineken

Heineken's story began on 15 February 1864, when 22 year old Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the De Hooiberg (The Haystack) brewery in the heart of Amsterdam. With little brewing experience but considerable courage and self-confidence, Heineken set out to brew a beer of consistently high quality at a time when Dutch beer had a poor reputation.

From one Amsterdam brewery to a global name

Under Heineken's leadership, and later that of his family, the company grew from a single Amsterdam brewery into one of the world's largest brewing companies. Two milestones proved decisive: the shift to bottom fermentation in the late 1860s, and the development of the A-Yeast strain by Dr H. Elion in 1886, which still shapes the beer's flavour today and made a genuinely repeatable taste possible.

Values that have grounded the company for over 150 years

Heineken's culture rests on four founding values that continue to guide the business:

• Passion for consumers and customers
• Courage to dream and pioneer
• Care for people and the planet
• Enjoyment of life

A truly global brewer

Today Heineken owns more than 165 breweries in over 70 countries, producing hundreds of international, regional and speciality beers and ciders alongside the flagship brand, including Amstel and Birra Moretti. The company employs close to 90,000 people worldwide.

Brewing a better world

Heineken's stated purpose is to brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world, brought to life through its Brew a Better World sustainability strategy. Despite its global scale, the company remains rooted in its Dutch heritage and family origins.

Culture

• Passion for quality: a founding principle since Gerard Adriaan Heineken took over De Hooiberg in 1864
• Courage to dream and pioneer: an entrepreneurial spirit that shaped a global brand
• Care for people and the planet: sustainability woven through the Brew a Better World strategy
• Enjoyment of life: bringing the joy of true togetherness to consumers worldwide

Human Resources

Heineken fosters a we culture among its people, promoting true human connections in support of its purpose of brewing the joy of togetherness.

• Roles across brewing, commercial and corporate functions in more than 70 countries
• A rich portfolio including Heineken, Amstel and Birra Moretti
• A culture grounded in quality, courage, care and enjoyment