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Pale Lager • Family Member since 1873

Heineken Lager

Beer Description

First brewed in Amsterdam in 1873 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken, this 100% natural premium pilsner evolved from a local Dutch export into the world’s most globally distributed lager. Its signature character is defined by a meticulous 28-day brewing process—twice as long as most industrial lagers—and a unique horizontal fermentation method. This specific technique allows the proprietary "A-Yeast," perfected in 1886, to thrive under ideal pressure, resulting in the iconic balanced taste and subtle fruity notes that have remained unchanged for over 150 years.

Heineken Lager

At a glance

Style
Pilsner
Style category
International Lager
First brewed
1873
In Heineken portfolio since
1873
Still in portfolio
Yes
Name History
  • 1864-1873 — Beijersch
  • 1873-1953 — Heineken’s Lager Beer
  • 1910-1920 — H.B.M Lager
  • Early Export (France- Belgium) — Bière de Bavière
  • Early Export (South Africa) — Windmill Beer
  • Heineken Export Lager
  • Heineken Cerveza

Brewing & appearance

Color
Brilliant Gold
Filtered
yes
Fermentation
Bottom Fermented
ABV range
4.1–5.0%
Ingredients
  • Water
  • Malted Barley
  • Hops
  • A-Yeast

Taste Profile

Flavor profile
  • Fresh
  • Crisp
  • Malty
  • Bitter
  • Floral
Body
Medium-Light
Finish
  • Clean
  • Snappy
  • Fresh Bitterness

Brewed by Tradition: The Sites 109 Currently Brewing 21 Past Sites

Since 2025
BR Passos — Heineken Brasil – Unidade Passos (MG Unit)
Since 2024
IN Nanjangud — Mysuru/Mysore Brewery
Since 2024
PA Panama City — Cervecerías Barú-Panama S.A
Since 2023
IN Thiruvallur — Chennai Brewery (Unit 1)
Since 2023
NA Windhoek — Namibia Breweries Limited
Since 2022
SR Paramaribo — Surinaamse Brouwerij N.V.
Since 2020
BR Alagoinhas — Cervejaria Heineken Alagoinhas. (BA Unit)
Since 2020
PE Lima — Cervecería Tres Cruces (Heineken Peru)
Since 2020
EC Guayaquil — Heineken Ecuador Brewery
Since 2020
PY San Antonio — Bebidas del Paraguay S.A.
Since 2020
RO Miercurea — Miercurea Ciuc Brewery
Since 2020
CD Kinshasa — Brasserie de Léopoldville (Bralima)
Since 2019
CO Sesquilé — Sesquilé Brewery
Since 2019
CI Abidjan — Brassivoire
Since 2019
MZ Maputo — HEINEKEN Mozambique
Since 2019
LK Mawathagama — DCSL Breweries Lanka Limited
Since 2018
RW Gisenyi — Bralirwa Brewery
Since 2018
GB Manchester — Royal Brewery
Since 2018
MX Chihuahua — Meoqui Brewery
Since 2018
BZ Ladyville — Belize Brewing Company (BBC)
Since 2018
TL Hera — HEINEKEN Timor-Leste
Since 2017
BR Igrejinha — Heineken Brewery (RS Unit)
Since 2017
VN Vung Tau — HEINEKEN Vietnam Brewery Vung Tau
Since 2017
GE Tsilkany — Global Beer Georgia (GBG)
Since 2017
MN Ulaanbaatar — APU Joint Stock Company (APU JSC)
Since 2016
MM Hmawbi – HEINEKEN Myanmar Brewery (APB Alliance Brewery)
Since 2016
KH Phnom Phen — Cambodia Brewery Limited (CBL)
Since 2016
SL Laško town — Pivovarna Laško
Since 2015
CN Zhejiang — Heineken Brewery Zhejiang (Jiashan)
Since 2015
BB Newton — Banks (Barbados) Breweries Ltd.
Since 2015
RO Ungheni — Bere Mureș S.A.
Since 2014
PG Lae — Guinea Brewery
Since 2013
SB Honiara — Solomon Breweries Ltd
Since 2013
BO Santa Cruz — Bebidas Bolivianas BBO
Since 2012
IN Daman — Daman Brewery
Since 2011
IN Taloja — Mumbai/Raigad Brewery
Since 2011
IN Ponda — Goa Brewery
Since 2011
CN Guangzhou — Heineken Brewery Guangzhou
Since 2011
VN Da Nang — HEINEKEN Vietnam Brewery Da Nang
Since 2010
BR Ponta Grossa — Cervejaria Heineken Ponta Grossa
Since 2010
MX Nuevo León — Monterrey Brewery
Since 2010
MX Veracruz — Orizaba Brewery
Since 2010
NC Noumea —  Grande Brasserie de Nouvelle-Calédonie (GBNC)
Since 2010
RO Craiova — Craiova Brewery
Since 2009
CZ Krušovice — Royal Brewery Krušovice
Since 2008
IT Cagliari — Birra Ichnusa brewery Assemini
Since 2008
PL Warka — Warka Brewery (Browar Warka)
Since 2008
ES Sevilla — La Cartuja/Seville East
Since 2008
PT Lisbon — Vialonga Brewery
Since 2008
FI Lahti — Hartwall Lahti Brewery
Since 2008
TN Grombalia – SONOBRA SA (Société Nouvelle de Brasserie)
Since 2008
DZ Rouiba – Tango S.A.R.L
Since 2008
LA Vientiane — Heineken Lao Brewery Co., Ltd.
Since 2008
IN Unnao — Unnao Brewery
Since 2007
VN Tien Giang — HEINEKEN Vietnam Brewery Tien Giang
Since 2005
ID Mojokerto — PT Multi Bintang Indonesia (Sampangagung)
Since 2005
IL Netanya — Tempo Beverages Ltd.
Since 2004
AT Schwechat — Schwechat Brewery
Since 2004
HU Martfű — Martfű Brewery
Since 2004
AU Sydney — Tooheys Brewery (Lion)
Since 2003
HU Sopron — Sopron Brewery
Since 2003
SK Hurbanovo — Hurbanovo Brewery
Since 2003
CL Quilicura — Compañía de las Cervecerías Unidas (CCU)
Since 2003
AR Luján — Cervecería de Luján
Since 2003
AR Santa Fe — Cervecería de Santa Fe
Since 2003
AR Salta — Cervecería de Salta
Since 2003
CL Lautaro — Planta Temuco
Since 2003
NO Bergen — Hansa Borg Bryggerier
Since 2001
PL Zywiec — Archduke Brewery (Browar w Żywcu)
Since 2001
EG Obour – Al Ahram Beverages Company (ABC)
Since 2001
SE Vårby — Wårby Bryggerier AB
Since 1999
TT San Juan — Carib Brewery Ltd
Since 1999
CH Chur — Calanda Bräu
Since 1997
CN Hainan — Hainan Asia Pacific Brewery (Haikou)
Since 1996
BG Stara Zagora — Zagorka Brewery
Since 1996
VN Hanoi — HEINEKEN Vietnam Brewery Hanoi
Since 1995
IT Comun Nuovo — Birrificio di Comun Nuovo
Since 1995
TH Nonthaburi — Thai Asia Pacific Brewery (TAPB)
Since 1994
NZ Auckland — Waitemata Brewery
Since 1994
VN Ho Chi Minh City — Vietnam Brewery Ltd. (VBL)
Since 1992
VC Kingstown — St. Vincent Brewery Limited (SVBL)
Since 1990
SG Tuas — Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) / Heineken Asia Pacific.
Since 1990
BR Jacareí — Heineken Brewery (SP Unit)
Since 1990
BR Araraquara — Heineken Brewery (SP Unit)
Since 1990
MY Selangor — Heineken Malaysia Berhad / Sungei Way Brewery
Since 1988
FR Marseille — Brasserie de la Valentine
Since 1987
BS Nassau — Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL)
Since 1986
FR Mons en Barœul — Brasserie du Pélican
Since 1986
CR Heredia — Cervecería Costa Rica
Since 1986
JP Chitose — Kirin Brewery Chitose Plant
Since 1985
GR Patra — Patras Brewery
Since 1985
HT Port Au Prince — Brasserie Nationale Haiti, BRANA S.A.
Since 1985
ES Madrid — San Sebastián de los Reyes
Since 1985
ES Jaen — La Imora Brewery
Since 1984
ES Valencia — Quart de Poblet Brewery
Since 1984
JP Nagoya — Kirin Brewery Nagoya Plant
Since 1983
JP Yokohama — Kirin Brewery Yokohama Plant
Since 1981
GR Thessaloniki — Thessaloniki Brewery
Since 1978
IE Cork — Lady’s Well Brewery
Since 1978
IT Aosta — Pollein Brewery
Since 1976
LC Vieux Fort – Windward & Leeward Brewery Ltd
Since 1975
NL Zoeterwoude — Heineken Netherlands Supply ZW
Since 1975
FP Papeete — Brasserie de Tahiti
Since 1975
GD st George — CARIB Brewery (Grenada)
Since 1974
IT Massafra — Massafra Brewery
Since 1973
JM Kingston — Desnoes and Geddes
Since 1973
ID Tangerang — PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Tbk.
Since 1961
KN Basseterre — CARIB Brewery (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited 
Since 1958
NL Den Bosch — Heineken Netherlands Supply HB

Once Brewed At

2016–2025
BR Pacatuba — Heineken Brewery (CE Unit)
1980–2025
FR Schiltigheim — Brasserie de l’Espérance (ALBRA)
2010–2023
RO Constanța — Constanța Brewery
2005–2023
RU Novosibirsk — Sibirsky Brewery
2002–2023
RU St Petersburg — Bravo Brewery
1980–2023
MA Casablanca — Société des Boissons du Maroc
2000–2022
ES Arano — Navarre
2005–2020
CM Douala – Société Anonyme des Brasseries du Cameroun (SABC)
2000–2008
ES Sevilla — La Cruz del Campo
1993–2003
AR Zárate — Cervecería y Maltería Quilmes
1981–2003
KR Incheon — Oriental Brewery Co., Ltd.
1968–2003
GB Luton — Whitbread
1967–1997
ID Surabaya — Nederlandsch-Indische Bierbrouwerijen
1975–1992
NO Arendal — Arendals Bryggeri A/S
1971–1990
SG Singapore — Malayan Breweries
1953–1988
NL Amsterdam — Heineken Steam Brewery
1967–1985
ES Burgos — Compañía Hispano-Holandesa de Cervezas
1971–1977
SE Falkenberg — Bryggeri AB Falken
1953–1968
NL Rotterdam — Heineken Crooswijk Brewery
1953–1963
VE Caracas – Brewery C.A. Cervecería Heineken de Venezuela
1953–1957
ID Surabaya — Nederlandsch-Indische Bierbrouwerijen

Official Import & Distribution Markets 129 Active Markets

Since 1992
Albania
Since 1954
American Virgin Islands
Since 1953
Angola
Since 2020
Anguilla — Presence (2020)
Since 1960
Antigua and Barbuda
Since 1995
Armenia
Since 1953
Aruba
Since 1995
Azerbaijan
Since 1982
Bahrain
Since 1979
Bangladesh
Since 1954
Belgium
Since 1953
Benin
Since 1954
Bermuda
Since 1979
Bhutan
Since 1954
Bolivia
Since 1954
Bonaire
Since 1982
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Since 1993
Botswana
Since 1960
British Virgin Islands
Since 1979
Brunei
Since 1950
Burkina Faso
Since 1953
Burundi
Since 1975
Cabo Verde
Since 1991
Canada — Presence (1991-)
Since 1962
Cayman Islands
Since 1954
Chad
Since 1983
China
Since 1975
Congo
Since 2008
Cook Islands
Since 1982
Croatia
Since 1990
Cuba
Since 1954
Curacao
Since 1954
Cyprus
Since 1954
Denmark
Since 1977
Djibouti
Since 1962
Dominican Republic
Since 1954
El Salvador
Since 1992
Estonia
Since 1978
Eswatini
Since 1953
Ethiopia
Since 2008
Federated States of Micronesia
Since 1990
Fiji
Since 1954
Finland
Since 1977
Gabon
Since 1958
Gambia
Since 1990
Germany
Since 1953
Ghana
Since 1964
Gibraltar
Since 2008
Guam
Since 1954
Guatemala
Since 1950
Guinea
Since 2008
Guyana
Since 1954
Honduras
Since 1972
Hungary
Since 1953
Iceland
Since 2003
Iraq
Since 1954
Ireland
Since 2023
Japan
Since 1993
Kazakhstan
Since 1953
Kenya
Since 2008
Kiribati
Since 1999
Kosovo
Since 2017
Kyrgyzstan
Since 1992
Latvia
Since 1958
Liberia
Since 1995
Liechtenstein
Since 1992
Lithuania
Since 1954
Luxembourg
Since 1960
Madagascar
Since 2010
Malawi
Since 1972
Maldives
Since 1950
Mali
Since 1954
Malta
Since 1959
Martinique
Since 1950
Mauritania
Since 1965
Mauritius
Since 1992
Moldova
Since 1959
Monaco
Since 1982
Montenegro
Since 1960
Montserrat
Since 2024
Morocco
Since 1979
Nepal
Since 1954
Nicaragua
Since 1950
Niger
Since 1982
North Macedonia
Since 1992
North Macedonia
Since 1984
Oman
Since 1979
Pakistan
Since 1952
Papua New Guinea
Since 2007
Portugal
Since 1977
Puerto Rico
Since 2000
Qatar
Since 1972
Romania
Since 1953
Réunion
Since 1970
Réunion
Since 1954
Saba
Since 1960
Saint Barthélemy
Since 2008
Samoa
Since 1995
San Marino
Since 1950
Senegal
Since 1982
Serbia
Since 1965
Seychelles
Since 1953
Sierra Leone
Since 1954
Sint Maarten
Since 1972
Slovakia
Since 1982
Slovenia
Since 1953
South Africa
Since 1953
St. Kitts and Nevis
Since 1954
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Since 1953
Sudan
Since 1954
Sweden
Since 1954
Switzerland
Since 2002
Tanzania
Since 1953
The Republic of Congo
Since 1950
Togo
Since 2004
Tonga
Since 1954
Turkey
Since 1960
Turks and Caicos Islands
Since 2002
Uganda
Since 1992
Ukraine
Since 1982
United Arab Emirates
Since 1953
United States
Since 1954
Uruguay
Since 2017
Uzbekistan
Since 2008
Vanuatu
Since 2021
Venezuela
Since 2008
Wallis and Futuna
Since 1985
Zambia
Since 1953
Zimbabwe

Historical Import Markets (Defunct Distribution) 71 Past Markets

2002–2021
Afghanistan
Imported 1954–2008 (Now Brewed Locally)
Algeria
1964–1964
Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station (1964)
1960–2020
Anguilla — Presence (Early)
Imported 1984–1997 (Now Brewed Locally)
Argentina
Imported 1953–2004 (Now Brewed Locally)
Australia
Imported 1954–2004 (Now Brewed Locally)
Austria
Imported 1959–1986 (Now Brewed Locally)
Bahamas
Imported 1954–2015 (Now Brewed Locally)
Barbados
1992–2022
Belarus
Imported 1969–2018 (Now Brewed Locally)
Belize
Imported 1982–1996 (Now Brewed Locally)
Bulgaria
Imported 1996–2016 (Now Brewed Locally)
Cambodia
1954–1990
Canada — Presence (early)
Imported 1954–2003 (Now Brewed Locally)
Chile
Imported 1954–2019 (Now Brewed Locally)
Colombia
Imported 1954–1986 (Now Brewed Locally)
Costa Rica
1954–1959
Cuba
Imported 1972–2009 (Now Brewed Locally)
Czechia
Imported 1954–2020 (Now Brewed Locally)
Ecuador
Imported 1953–2002 (Now Brewed Locally)
Egypt
Imported 1953–1986 (Now Brewed Locally)
France
Imported 1995–2017 (Now Brewed Locally)
Georgia
Imported 1954–1981 (Now Brewed Locally)
Greece
Imported 1953–1975 (Now Brewed Locally)
Grenada
Imported 1960–1984 (Now Brewed Locally)
Haiti
Imported 1979–2011 (Now Brewed Locally)
India
1962–1979
Iran
Imported 1992–2005 (Now Brewed Locally)
Israel
Imported 1954–1990 (Now Brewed Locally)
Italy
Imported 2016–2019 (Now Brewed Locally)
Ivory Coast
Imported 1960–1972 (Now Brewed Locally)
Jamaica
Imported 1970–1983 (Now Brewed Locally)
Japan
Imported 1953–1971 (Now Brewed Locally)
Malaysia
Imported 1953–1979 (Brewed Locally until 2023)
Morocco
Imported 2016–2019 (Now Brewed Locally)
Mozambique
Imported 1953–1995 (Now Brewed Locally)
Myanmar
1990–2010
New Caledonia
Imported 1954–1994 (Now Brewed Locally)
New Zealand
Imported 1953–1964 (Now Brewed Locally)
Nigeria
Imported 2008–2017 (Brewed Locally until 2003)
North Korea
Imported 1953–1975 (Now Brewed Locally)
Norway
Imported 1992–2003 (Now Brewed Locally)
Norway
Imported 1959–2024 (Now Brewed Locally)
Panama
Imported 1954–2020 (Now Brewed Locally)
Paraguay
Imported 1954–2020 (Now Brewed Locally)
Peru
1953–2016
Philippines
Imported 1972–2000 (Now Brewed Locally)
Poland
Imported 1993–2002 (Brewed Locally until 2023)
Russia
Imported 1991–2017 (Now Brewed Locally)
Rwanda
Imported 1954–1976 (Now Brewed Locally)
Saint Lucia
Imported 1954–1984 (Now Brewed Locally)
Singapore
Imported 1990–2013 (Now Brewed Locally)
Solomon Islands
Imported 1953–1981 (Brewed Locally until 2003)
South Korea
Imported 1954–1984 (Now Brewed Locally)
Spain
Imported 1979–2021 (Now Brewed Locally)
Sri Lanka
Imported 1961–2021 (Now Brewed Locally)
Suriname
Imported 1954–1998 (Now Brewed Locally)
Switzerland
1954–1972
Syria
Imported 1960–1974 (Now Brewed Locally)
Tahiti
1987–2022
Taiwan
Imported 1953–1995 (Now Brewed Locally)
Thailand
Imported 2002–2018 (Now Brewed Locally)
Timor-Leste
Imported 1953–1999 (Now Brewed Locally)
Trinidad and Tobago
1953–2008
Tunisia
Imported 1953–1968 (Now Brewed Locally)
United Kingdom
Imported 2003–2017 (Now Brewed Locally)
United Kingdom
Imported 1953–2015 (Brewed Locally until 1963)
Venezuela
Imported 1992–1994 (Now Brewed Locally)
Vietnam
1954–1989
West Germany (FRG)
1953–1967
Yemen