Heineken beer: history and overview of types
The Dutch company, founded at the end of the XIX century, during its existence "overgrown" with more than a hundred factories scattered around the world, and turned into a real giant of the brewing industry.
You can buy products of the popular premium brand in almost any country. The manufacturer produces the foamy drink under various brands, the most famous of which are Heineken and Amstel. It all started with a small brewery in Amsterdam.
History of the Heineken company
The date of the corporation's foundation is considered to be 1873, when the company received its current name. However, the beer brewery was purchased by the company's founder Gerard Adrian Heineken a little earlier - in 1864.
Initially, a small brewery was set up to produce a popular ale among the townspeople, for the production of which top fermentation was used. Things were going well, but did not bring serious profit until an enterprising businessman decided to take a chance and introduced innovations drawn from Bavarian professionals to the process.
The changes have been good for the brewery. Having tried a little-known method of bottom fermentation in brewing, Heineken abruptly changed its course and became popular in no time.
The year 1886 was significant for the company, when Dr. Elion, a student of Louis Pasteur, discovered a special type of A-yeast. This secret ingredient is still a part of the famous brewery's products and, along with other ingredients, determines its unique taste. Innovations did not stop there - Gerard Heineken equipped the plant with modern equipment: refrigerators and special lamps.
At the beginning of the XX century, the company entered the Asian and American markets, and in the second half of the century it began to rapidly increase capacity and open plants in European countries, pushing the leaders of the brewing industry and becoming on a par with such giants as Anheuser Busch InBev and Carlsberg. It is worth noting that throughout its development, Heineken Corporation has maintained family traditions and continuity, passing the reins to the younger generation.
The secret of Heineken's popularity
The recipe for the production of Heineken foamy drinks is still closely guarded and is a secret. The Dutch manufacturer considers the process of creating beer a real magic, as evidenced by the image of a star on the product label. Four of its rays symbolize the ingredients (barley, water, hops and yeast) that must be of consistently high quality, and the fifth symbolizes the magic of brewing.
At the heart of production:
100% purity of products and naturalness of the fermentation process.
The use of a horizontal fermentation method, more suitable for the original A-yeast, instead of the usual vertical one.
Long maturation period (about 1 month) and strict quality control at all stages.
All this allows us to create a special balanced taste that is recognizable to the consumer. It has distinct grain, bread and malt notes with a hint of herbs, fruit and light bitterness.
Common to all Heineken beers is a noble golden amber hue and a refreshing effect, which makes it ideal for drinking in the heat.
Types of Heineken beer
Each enterprise of the corporation produces drinks under its own brands (Amstel, Edelweiss, Desperados, Zlaty Bazant, Doctor Diesel, etc.).) with original characteristics and design. Traditional Dutch Heineken beer includes the following varieties:
Heineken (4.8%)
A time-tested classic drink made according to old recipes from the 19th century. Several varieties of hops and Heineken-A yeast are used in the process. In addition to malt and hop notes, the beer's flavor includes hints of bananas, caramel and roasted chestnuts. It is recommended to cool the foamy drink to 6-8 degrees before serving. Seafood dishes, balyk, raw game are good as appetizers.
Heineken Light (3.2%)
A light golden beer with the addition of Cascade hops, which are traditionally used to make craft beverages. The taste is characterized by a subtle sourness that perfectly harmonizes with the sweetness of malt and slight bitterness of hops.
Heineken 3 (3.3%)
One of the latest developments to use the mashing method in the production process. The addition of caramel malt gives the beer a high aroma and bright amber color. Balanced multifaceted taste, medium strength and low calorie content distinguish this product.
Heineken 0.0 (non-alcoholic)
The drink is made on the basis of classical technology using our own yeast according to a specially developed recipe. Double filtration provides the beer with a recognizable sweet and malt flavor with a delicate hint of unfermented wort. The fruit and grain tones characteristic of all Heineken products are also present. The low-calorie drink is almost not bitter and perfectly refreshing.
Heineken is produced in glass (0.33 l, 0.5 l or 0.65 l) and aluminum cans (0.5 l), in five-liter barrels and large metal kegs (20 and 30 l).
Update: 29.11.2018
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale