Amstel beer: history, types + interesting facts
The second most important brand of the Heineken Group, born in the middle of the XIX century on the banks of the river of the same name, is popular all over the world.
A fragrant amber drink with a characteristic slightly bitter taste, drunk in more than 70 countries. Annual sales exceed 35 million liters per year.
Brand history
The Amstel brewery was founded in 1870 in Amsterdam by two entrepreneurial friends, Charles de Pesters and Johannes van Marwijk Koya. Novice Dutch brewers set out to not only brew beer, but to brew it well. And this approach has become truly innovative.
The fact is that most local producers produced a very mediocre cloudy ale, the brewing time of which was limited to 1 day. The owners of the young plant have increased the heat treatment time to 20 days, and started using ice from a local river to cool the drinks during transportation.
Innovative technology has led to the birth of clear amber beer of excellent quality. In addition to the traditional ingredients - hops, malt, water and yeast - it contains another, no less important ingredient: time.
In just 2 years, the annual volume of lager produced at the young brewery increased to 10 thousand liters. tons. The first hectoliters were produced in Ukraine, and 10 years later local products were exported. The original foam beer was highly appreciated in the UK and Indonesia.
By the middle of the XX century, Amstel products accounted for a third of all beer exported from the Netherlands. As a result, in the 50s and 60s, the company built 5 breweries outside the country: in Suriname, Jordan, Curacao, Greece and Puerto Rico.
In 1968, the brand became the property of the Heineken concern.
In 1972, the old plant in Amsterdam was closed. Amstel beer was started to be produced in Sutherwade and at other Heineken breweries, including in the CIS countries.
In Russia, drinks under the legendary brand have been produced since 2011.
Overview of types
In Europe, the Amstel brand is represented by more than a dozen varieties of foamy beer. There are 3 variants of the famous beer available on the domestic market:
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Amstel Premium Pilsener
A premium light lager with a deep, balanced flavor with pronounced hop notes and a pilsner-like bitterness.
The most popular Dutch beer with a 150-year history. Available in tin cans, glass and PET bottles, kegs.
Strength: 4,8%.
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Amstel IPA
New for 2018. Pale ale brewed on the basis of 3 varieties of malt (burnt, caramel and light barley) and a mixture of hops.
It has a bright aroma, mild character and fruity-citrus aftertaste.
Strength: 5,5%. Available in a 0.45 liter glass bottle.
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Amstel 0.0 Non-Alcoholic
A non-alcoholic version of the famous lager produced using the technology of stopped fermentation.
Differs in mild taste and rich hop aroma. Supplied in tin cans.
Additionally, there are 2 non-alcoholic versions with citrus juices: Amstel 0.0 Natur and Amstel Natur Lime.
Most consumers say that the imported versions of Amstel beer are of incomparably better quality than the local beer produced under license. But the cost of such samples is many times higher.
Interesting facts
The Amstel River gave its name not only to the brewery and the beer brand, but also to the capital of the Netherlands - the city of Amsterdam, which grew out of a small village.
Amstel cooperates with UEFA and is the official sponsor of the Europa League.
Update: 26.08.2019
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale