The story behind the star

For more than 160 years, Heineken has been built on something simple, but powerful: trust.

This archive tells the story of how a young entrepreneur entered a world he did not yet understand — and changed it by believing that quality was not luck, but responsibility. From a single Amsterdam brewery to a global company, every step in this history is shaped by people, decisions, risks, and vision.

This is not only the story of a beer.
It is the story of an idea — that customers deserve consistency, honesty, and care in every glass.

Some moments changed the company forever.
Others were small steps that quietly shaped the future.

Together, they form the history of Heineken.

Use the explorer below to travel through time, discover defining events, and follow the journey from 1863 to today.

Gerard Adriaan Heineken — The Man with a Vision

In 1863, a 22-year-old entrepreneur entered the brewing business without knowing how to brew beer.

What he did know was responsibility.

At a time when beer quality varied widely, Gerard Adriaan Heineken made a promise to customers across the country: he would leave nothing untried to deliver beer of the best possible quality — and if it failed, the loss would be his.

He did not sell beer.
He promised it.

That promise would become the foundation of a company, a culture, and a reputation that still defines Heineken today.

👉 Begin the story

Continue the Journey Through Time

You’ve reached the moment where the story begins.

From here, you can follow Heineken’s history year by year, explore defining periods, or search for specific moments that shaped the company.