The origins of the enterprise lie in Amsterdam, where in 1864
Gerard Adriaan Heineken acquired the brewery De Hooiberg
dating from 1592. Soon after the takeover the field of activity
was extended to the whole of the Netherlands and a start was
made on activities abroad.
Heineken is now an international brewery enterprise
producing and distributing leading beer brands. In more than
90 breweries throughout the world, spread over some 50
countries, beer is brewed under the supervision of Heineken.
Our products are sold in over 150 countries. This makes
Heineken the most international brewery group in the world.
The international brands of the enterprise are Heineken,
Amstel, Buckler and Murphy's Irish Stout. They play a
central role in the brand policy and are supported by a large
number of national brands.
Heineken has brewery interests, licensing and export
activities in every continent. The main area of activities is in
Europe. The European operating companies have breweries
in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland,
Hungary and Switzerland. In the United States, the principal
market outside Europe, our brands are only imported.
Heineken is the leading beer brand in Europe and also the
biggest import brand on the beer market in the United States.
Research and development occupy an important position in
the enterprise. These activities are co-ordinated from the
Research Development centre in the Netherlands.