Heineken brands

For the corporation, seeHeineken N.V.

Dutch Heineken bottle

Heineken N.V.is a Dutch brewer which owns a worldwide portfolio of over 170beer brands,mainlypale lager,though some otherbeer stylesare produced. The two largest brands areHeinekenandTecate;though the portfolio includesAmstel,Fosters(in Europe and Vietnam),Sagres,Cruzcampo,Skopsko,Affligem,Żywiec,Starobrno,Zagorka,Zlatý Bažant,LaškoandBirra Moretti.

Heineken

HeinekenLager Beer is the company'sflagship product.It is a 5%abvpale lagerthat was first brewed in 1868. It is produced by 40breweriesin 39 countries around the world. In 2006, 2.58 billion litres ofHeinekenwas produced. Since 1975, most Heineken beer is brewed in the Heineken brewery inZoeterwoude,Netherlands.

Other beers produced under the Heineken brand name include:

• Heineken Dark
• Heineken Oud Bruin
• Heineken Premium Light
• Heineken Tarwebok

Buckler

Buckleris alow alcohol(0.5% abv) pale lager. It was launched in the summer of 1988. There was a recall in 2004 due to a fault in thepasteurisingprocess, and Buckler is no longer available in the Netherlands (Heineken's home market) after the brand's image declined following Dutch comedianYoup van 't Hekmocking the brand (and its consumers) in a show in 1989.

Buckler was the beverage of choice for US PresidentJoe Bidenat the "Beer Summit"withHenry Louis Gates,James Crowley and PresidentBarack Obama.The event was the result of the controversialarrest of Henry Louis Gates,which gained national attention regardinglaw enforcementracial profiling.Biden acknowledged that his choice of beer was “mostly ironic".

Former US PresidentGeorge W. Bush,who claimed that he gave up drinking alcoholic beverages after turning 40, drank Buckler while relaxing with Chancellor of GermanyAngela Merkeland British Prime MinisterTony Blairon 8 June 2007 during a break in the G8 summit.

Subsidiaries' brands

Europe

Heineken Italy

Heineken's Italian operation began in 1974 with the acquisition of the Dreher brewery. In 1996 it added the Moretti brewery. Heineken Italy has six brewing plants producing over 575 million litres of beer, and employs over 1,000 people. Its plants are: Pollein (AO),Massafra(TA), Messina, Comun Nuovo (BG), Assemini (CA).

Birra Dreher

Birra Dreher was founded inTriestein 1896. It was bought by Heineken in 1974.

Birra Ichnusa

Heineken also purchasedBirra Ichnusa,a brewery founded in 1912 inAssemini,a town near the Sardinian capitalCagliari.It is named after theLatinizedancient name Sardinia,Hyknusa.

Birra Moretti

Main article:Birra Moretti

Birra Moretti was founded inUdinein 1859 by Luigi Moretti. Heineken acquired the company in 1996, selling the brewing plant to the new Castello beer company.There are eight beers under the Birra Moretti brand.

Birra Morettiis the main brand, a 4.6% abvpale lagerlaunched in 1859; followed byLa Rossais a 7.2% strong dark lager ordunkel.Other brands includeDoppio Malto,Baffo d'Oro,andSans Souci.It also has a number of bottled beers named after regions of Italy, such asPiemontese,a 5.5%ABVfruit beer.

Affligem Brewery

The Op-Ale brewery inOpwijk,Belgium was licensed by theAffligem Abbeyto brew beers under the Affligem Abbey brand name, along with their own Op-Ale, as well as beers under the brand name of thePostel Abbey.Affligem was taken over by Heineken who renamed it the Affligem brewery.

The brewery produces a range of beers,including Affligem Blonde, a 6.8%pale ale;Affligem Dubbel, a 7%dubbel,Affligem Tripel, a 9.5%tripeland Affligem Patersvat, a 6.8%belgian ale.

Athenian Brewery

Amstel,Heineken,Athenian, Alfa Hellenic, Fischer, Marathon, Zorbas Athenian Brewery S.A. is one of the most important beer producers and traders in Greece. It was established in 1963 by a group of Greek entrepreneurs and is a member of Heineken Group N. V. In 1965, the first plant started its operation inAthens,producing Amstel beer. The second plant was inaugurated in 1974 in Thessaloniki, expanding the production, whereas Amstel became one of the most famous beers in the Greek market, just like it still is today.

In 1981, Athenian Brewery started Heineken beer's production in Greece, while a third plant started operating in Patra.

Amstel Brewery

Main article:Amstel Brewery

The Amstel brewery was founded in 1870 inAmsterdam,Netherlands. It was taken over by Heineken in 1968, and the brewing plant closed down in 1972,with production moving to the main Heineken plant atZoeterwoude.

Heineken offer several beers under the Amstel brand.Amstel Lageruses predominantlypilsener malt,although someVienna maltis also used. It is sold in 75 countries.Amstel Lightis a 3.5% abvpale lager.Amstel 1870is a slightly dark 5% abv lager. In France a beer calledAmstel Free,with minimal alcohol content – about 1% abv, is produced.

Beamish and Crawford

Beamish & Crawfordin Cork brews both anIrish stoutand ared ale.It has been part of Heineken since 2009.

Botchkarev Brewery

Botchkarev(Russian:Бочкарев) is a Russian brewery that started as a soft drinks company called Bravo, opening a brewery inSt Petersburgin 1988.

In 1993 a group of Icelandic businessmen founded a bottling plant inSaint Petersburg,which was later sold toPepsi.Since 1995 the company named "Bravo International" launched production ofalcoholiclong drinksandlemonadesunder "Bravo" brand at its new site.

In 1998 "Bravo International" started construction of a brewery in Saint Petersburg, where in February 1999, "Botchkarev" beer was first brewed. The "Botchkarov" brand of beer was created by Bravo's American marketing director, Brian Kean. The name and marketing message revived Russian beer-drinking traditions. Botchkarov is a Russian surname-- "botchka" which means barrel in Russian; and then linked it to the "proper" rules for beer consumption.

In 2002 Bravo sold its brewing business toHeineken.Since 2004 Bochkarev is brewed also under license inAlmatybrewery Tian Shan; since 2006 its production started at a newly acquired PIT brewery inKaliningrad.On top of that the beer has been available for export mainly inCIScountries and those with a notable number of Russian expats.

The assortment range includes the following beer types:

• Botchkarev lager (Botchkarev svetloye)
• Botchkarev classic (Botchkarev klassicheskoye)
• Botchkarev extra (Botchkarev krepkoye)
• Botchkarev without alcohol (Botchkarev bezalkogolnoye)

Brand Brewery

Brand Breweryis a Dutch brewery founded in 1871 by the Brand family inWijlre.The name comes from the Brand family which in 1871 purchased the Netherlands' oldest brewery (originally founded in 1340) and remained in management after its acquisition by Heineken.

The brewery produces eight beers.Brand Pilsis a 5.0% abv pale lager made since 1902. It is sold in the United States asRoyal Brand Beer;Brand Urtypis a 5.5% abv pale lager introduced in 1952 and claimed to be based on thePilsenerrecipe from 1842 – Urtyp stands for "original";Brand Oud Bruin(Brand Old Brown) is a 3.5% abvbrown ale;Brand Cuvéea 5.5% abvtop fermentingpale lager;Brand Imperator(since 1949) – 6.5% abv – amber colored, full maltedpremium beer;Brand Meibock(since 1994) a 6.5% abv goldbrown Spring seasonal beer;Brand Dubbelbock(since 1987) a 7.5% abv Autumn seasonal beer;Brand Sylvester(since 1984) a 7.5% abv Winter seasonal beer.

Caledonian Brewery

Main article:Caledonian Brewery

Caledonian Breweryis a Scottish brewery founded in 1869 inEdinburgh,primarily specialising inScottish ale.Between 2004 and 2008, the brewery was bought by Scottish and Newcastle.

See also:McEwan's

Central de Cervejas brewery

Main article:Central de Cervejas

Sociedade Central de Cervejas (SCC) is aPortuguesebrewery, founded in 1934, that produces a range of beers, mainly pale lagers. Its main output is the Sagres brand of beers. The company has been controlled since April 2008 by Heineken. The Sagres brand was created in 1940 to representSociedade Central de Cervejasat thePortuguese World Exhibition,and is named aftera town of the same name.It was the first beer to be exported by SCC, arriving first inGibraltarbefore being exported to the Azores and the various Portuguese Overseas Territories across the world.

Sagres beers made:

• Sagres
• Sagres Preta
• Sagres Bohemia
• Sagres Radler
• Sagres sem Álcool
• Sagres sem Álcool Preta
• Sagres Special Editions

Cruzcampo Brewery

Founded in 1904 by Roberto Osborne and Agustín Osborne inSeville,takes the name ofLa Cruz del Campo(The Cross of the Field), which used to be a cross in the middle of the field, which still stands today next to the brewery in Seville.

Nowadays it is part of theHeinekencorporation who bought it fromGuinness.Cruzcampo can be found anywhere in Spain, but it is inAndalusiawhere it is most consumed.It has breweries inSeville,Madrid,Valencia,JaénandArano.The logo since 1926 has been the figure ofGambrinus,a legendary creator of beer.Cruzcampo is the sponsor of theSpain national football team.

Beers also made:

• CruzcampoPilsen4.8% ABV
• Cruzcampo "Gran Reserva" 6.4% ABVstrong lager,winner of the 2009World Beer Awards.
• ShandyCruzcampo 0.9% ABV.
• Cruzcampo Export.
• Cruzcampo Sin,Alcohol Free.
• Cruzcampo Navidad(Brewed only in Christmas)
• Cruzcampo Light, 2.4% ABV
• Cruzcampo Pilsner,sin Gluten
• Big Cruzcampo.
• El León.
• Krone Lager.
• Spieler Pils.

De Ridder Brewery

The De Ridder brewery inMaastrichtwas taken over by Heineken and closed in 2002.Wieckse Witte,a 5% abvwhite beer,was introduced in 1988.

A glass of Fürstenberg

Fürstenberg Brewery

Main article:Fürstenberg Brewery

ThePrincely Fürstenberg Brewery(Fürstlich Fürstenbergische Brauerei KG) was founded inDonaueschingen,Germany in 1283 by the Princely House ofFürstenberg.Heineken acquired the brewery in October 2004 through theirBrau Holding InternationalAG company which is co-owned bySchörghuber.

The brewery producesFürstenberg Gold,andQowaz,a drink made from a mix of wheat beer,colaandlemongrass.

Karlovačko Brewery

TheKarlovačko Brewery(hr:Karlovačka pivovara,shortformKarlovačko) is a Croatian brewery, founded in 1854 by local landowner Baron Nikola Vranyczany in the town ofKarlovac.In 2003,Heineken Internationalacquired a majority stake.

As of December 2006, the following beers are brewed regularly by Karlovačko:

• Karlovačko pivo (lager)
• Karlovačko Radler lemon (radler)
• Karlovačko Radler grapefruit (radler)
• Karlovačko crno (dark lager)
• Karlovačko Rally (non-alcoholic beer)
• Heineken
• GösserDark
• Kaiser
• Edelweiss Snowfresh
• Desperados

Krušovice Brewery

Main article:Royal Brewery of Krušovice

A beer bottle of Krušovice beer

TheRoyal Brewery of Krušovice(Czech:Královský pivovar Krušovice,shortformKrušovice) is a Czech brewery, established in 1581 by Jiří Birka in the village ofKrušovice.The brewery gained a contract to provide beer to EmperorRudolf IIin 1583, allowing them to use theImperial Crown of Austriaas part of the company's logo. The company was acquired by Heineken in July 2007.

As of December 2023, the following beers are brewed regularly by Krušovice:

• Krušovice Originál 10°
• Krušovice Mušketýr 11°
• Krušovice Ležák 12°
• Krušovice Královský Ležák
• Krušovice černé

Laško Brewery

Main article:Laško Brewery

Murphy's Brewery

A glass of Murphy's Irish Red

Main article:Murphy's Brewery

Murphy's brewerywas founded inCork,Ireland in 1856. It was known as Lady's Well Brewery until it was purchased by Heineken in 1983, when the name changed toMurphy Heineken Brewery Ireland Ltd.

The two most notable brands areMurphy's Irish Stout,a 4.3%Irish stout,andMurphy's Irish Red,a 5%Irish ale.

France

• Ancre
• Fischer Tradition
• Fischer Réserve Ambrée
• Fischer Blanche
• Fischer La Belle Strasbourgeoise
• Pêcheur
• Adelscott
• Desperados
• Edelweiss

Brasserie Pelforth (Pelforth brewery)

Pelforth Brune

25 cl bottle ofPelforth Brune

Pelforthis a French brewery founded in 1914 inMons-en-Barœulby threeLilloisbrewers. It was originally called Pelican, after a dance popular at the time. Production was stopped during World War II, restarting in 1950. The brewery name was changed in 1972 to Pelforth. It was bought by Français de Brasserie in 1986, which was acquired by Heineken International in 1988.

The brewery produces the Pelforth brand of beers: Pelforth,an ale, was first brewed in 1935 using two different types of malt and English yeast. The name came from "Pel" for pelican, "forte" for strong, because it contains a lot of malt (43 kg/hL), and thehadded to give it an English feel. In addition to theBlonde(5.8% abv) andBrune(6.5% abv),Pelforth Amber(6% abv) was introduced in 2003. The Pelforth brewery also producesGeorge Killian's,a 6.5% amber orIrish ale.Among connoisseurs, it is "famous for its strong speciality beers".

Skopje Brewery

The Skopje Brewery (Macedonian:Пивара Скопје,Pivara Skopje) is aMacedonianbrewery inSkopje.It is a joint venture betweenCoca-Cola HBC AGandHeineken International.Skopje brews the Skopsko brand as well as Gorsko.

Skopsko(Cyrillic:Скопско) is a 4.9% pale lager introduced in 1924. The ingredients are water; barley malt; unmalted cereals; hops; and brewers yeast.The advertising slogan is "Our Best" (Macedonian:Нашето најдобро!).

Soproni Sörgyár

Heineken Hungáriais the Hungarian branch of the company. Its main production site, Soproni Sörgyár (Sopron) was founded in 1895. It was acquired by Heineken in 2003 by the purchase of the then-owner AustrianBräu-Union AG.

Starobrno Brewery

A selection of Starobrno beers

Main article:Starobrno Brewery

Starobrno (Pivovar Starobrno), is a brewery inBrno,Czech Republic, founded in 1325 by the Old Brno monastery. It is now owned by Heineken.The main brand isStarobrno,a 5% abv pale lager.

Zagorka Brewery

A bottle of Zagorka

The Zagorka brewery was founded in 1902 and is based inStara Zagora,Bulgaria. In the mid-1990s Zagorka became a fully owned subsidiary of Heineken. The brewery brews various Heineken brands for distribution within Bulgaria, and three exclusive brands:Zagorka(Bulgarian:Загорка,5%abv), named after the brewery's home city ofStara Zagora;andStolichno(a 6.5%abvstrong dark lager orbock) andAriana(a 4.5% pale lager), both originally produced inSofiaby theAriana Brewery.

Zlatý Bažant Brewery

Zlatý Bažant brewery was founded in 1969 inSlovakia,then bought by Heineken in 1995.There are several brands,among themZlatý Bažant12°(Golden Pheasant), a 5% abv (12 degreesPlato) pale lager, andKelt 12°,another 5% pale lager.

Żywiec Brewery

Main article:Żywiec Brewery

ŻywiecPorter

Żywiec Brewery was founded in 1852 by theHabsburgfamily inŻywiecinSilesia,Poland. It wasnationalisedafter the Second World War. The brewery was acquired by Heineken in the mid-1990s along with the Warszawskie Brewery,Warsaw.

The brewery produces several brands of beer, usuallypale lagersof varying strengths from usually 10.5° to 14° Balling or 4–6% alcohol, including:

• Żywiec Fullapale lager
• Żywiec PorteraBaltic porter
• Żywiec Full Lighta pale lager
• Królewskie(English translation: Royal), a 6% abvpale lagerdistributed in Warsaw and Poland. The label shows an image of KingSigismund III Vasa.In 2005 production was moved to theWarka Brewery.

Middle East and Africa

Al Ahram Brewery

"Stella (beer)" redirects here. For the pilsner beer of Belgian origin often called "Stella", seeStella Artois.

Stella Lager, brewed in Egypt

Al Ahram (Al Ahram Beverages Company or ABC) is an Egyptian brewery previously inGiza,Egyptand currently in Obour City, founded in 1897. The company was nationalized in 1963 during the tenure of Egypt's second president,Gamal Abdel Nasser.It was privatized in 1997. It was bought by Heineken International in 2002.

ABC produces the local brandsalong with a range of soft drinks.

Local Beers

• Stella 50cl, 33cl – 4.5% Alc/vol (Flagship Brand)
• Stella 50cl returnable bottle – 4.5%Alc/vol

A bottle Sakara Weizen

• Sakara Gold 50cl, 33cl – 4.0%Alc/vol
• Sakara Weizen 50cl – 5.0%Alc/vol (German Weißbier Style Brew)
• Sakara King 50cl – 10.0%Alc/vol
• Meister Max – 8.0%Alc/vol
• Sakara El King (Double Imperial Lager) – 15.0%Alc/vol
• Heineken 50cl, 33cl – 5.0%Alc/vol
• Desperados33cl – 5.9%Alc/vol – Tequila Flavored Lager

Non Alcoholic Beverages

• Amstel Zero – 0.0%Alc/vol
• Birell – 0.0%Alc/vol
• Fayrouz – 0.0%Alc/vol – Multiple flavors

Export Beer:

• Rex Strong Beer 50cl – 8% Alc/vol (Lebanon)
• Meister Export – 5.2% Alc/Vol

RTD Beverages

• ID Edge 5.0%Alc/vol – Watermelon
• ID Double Edge 10.0%Alc/vol – (Energy / Watermelon / Green Apple / Pineapple)
• Cubana Rum Mix 10.0%Alc/vol – (Melon / Cola)
• Butler's Gin Mix 10.0%Alc/vol – Lemon & Mint

Almaza Brewery

Almaza beer

Almaza (Brasserie Almaza S.A.L.)is a Lebanese brewery and beer brand, founded in 1933 in Bauchrieh by Lebanese shareholders, mainly the Jabre family, the Almaza Brewery was initially called Brasserie Franco-Libano-Syrienne.

In 1950, the name of the brewery changed to Brasserie et Malterie Almaza. In 1960, the second generation of shareholders took over the management of the brewery. After theLebanese Civil Warin the 1990s the brewery took its final name: Brasserie Almaza.

In December 2021, Philippe Jabre took majority ownership of Brasserie Almaza.

Almaza exports to Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia and in theGulf countries.

Beers:

• Almaza Pilsener 33cl 4.2% alc.
• Almaza Pilsener 50cl 4.2% alc.
• Almaza Pure Malt 6% alc. (malt beer)
• Al Rayess Beer 5% alc.
• Almaza Light 33cl 2.7% alc.
• Almaza Radler (beer & lemon) 33cl 2.0% alc.
• Laziza Apple Light 0% alc.
• Almaza Special Dark, 33cl 6.0% alc.

Sedibeng Brewery

Heineken entered the South African beer market by building a large greenfields brewery inMidvaalsouth of Johannesburg. This is a joint venture withDiageo(who own 25%) and was opened in 2010.

Brands produced here:

• Heineken Lager
• Amstel Lager
• Windhoek Lager
• Smirnoff Spin
• Smirnoff Storm

Asia-Pacific

Partnership with Fraser & Neave

Main article:Asia Pacific Breweries

Heineken andFraser & Neaveset up Malayan Breweries in 1931.In 1990, Malayan Breweries changed to its present name, Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) and acquired 90% ofDB Breweriesin 2004.

Asia Pacific Breweries

Launched in 1932, Tiger Beer became Singapore's first locally brewed beer.It is a 5%abvbottledpale lager.As APB's exclusive flagship brand, it is available in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Reebis a brand of beer produced by Asia Pacific Breweries. Reeb is "beer" spelled backwards. Its Chinese brand name is lực ba ti tửu. The first two characters lực ba (meaning "strong wave", pronouncedlibo) are the closest pronunciation there is in Chinese toReeb.Reeb's distribution is primarily in the Shanghai area.

DB Breweries

Main article:DB Breweries

Tui beer

DB Breweries is a New Zealandbrewing companyfounded in 1930 by Sir Henry Kelliher andMorton CouttsinAuckland.Asia Pacific Breweriesacquired 90% of DB Breweries in 2004.

There are several beers produced under the DB brand,includingDB Draught,a 4% amber coloured lager;Export Golda 4% pale lager

Export Goldwas first brewed as DB Export as a result of the "Black Budget"from thenMinister of FinanceArnold Nordmeyerwhich imposed extremely high duty on imported premium lagers, though the extent to which the 'black budget' influenced the creation of DB Export is currently under dispute.DB Export was initially brewed as a 5.4% premium lager and with "Export" in the title to compete with international premium lagers. In 1994, the name was changed from DB Export to DB Export Gold, and in 1998 to simply Export Gold.

Tui Brewery

The Tui Brewery was established in 1889 inMangatainokain theWairaraparegion of North Island New Zealand by Henry Wagstaff and Edward Lyons Russell; it was taken over byDB Breweriesin 1969. The brewery tower is shown in advertising campaigns for Tui Beer which feature a statement, such as "War will bring peace" followed by the dismissive tag line "Yeah right".Tui East India Pale Ale(Tui), a 4% amber lager, is the main brand.

Monteith's

Monteith'sBrewery Company was originally a family-owned brewery on New Zealand's South Island West coast. DB Breweries bought it and closed itsGreymouthbrewery in 2001; this was since reopened, however, and production also takes place atAuckland.

Further reading

• Foda, Omar D.Egypt's Beer: Stella, Identity, and the Modern State(U of Texas Press, 2019).online review