1864 CE
Gerard Adriaan Heineken purchases De Hooiberg brewery
Gerard Adriaan Heineken acquires the De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam, laying the foundation for Heineken Brewery. #business #history
Chronological Storyline (28 Milestones)
1870 CE
Heineken adopts bottom-fermentation yeast
Heineken begins using a bottom-fermentation yeast strain developed by Dr. H. Elion, improving beer quality and consistency. #innovation #brewery
1886 CE
First export to the Dutch East Indies
Heineken exports its beer to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), marking its first international shipment. #export #expansion
1917 CE
Heineken becomes a public company
Heineken is listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, raising capital for growth. #finance #ipo
1933 CE
Heineken exports to the United States after Prohibition
Heineken becomes the first beer exported to the US after the repeal of Prohibition, establishing a strong American presence. #export #prohibition
1942 CE
Heineken develops the A-yeast strain
Heineken develops its proprietary A-yeast strain, which becomes the signature ingredient for its flagship lager. #innovation #yeast
1953 CE
Heineken acquires Amstel Brewery
Heineken takes over its Amsterdam rival, Amstel Brewery, expanding its domestic market share and brand portfolio. #acquisition #merger
1968 CE
Heineken launches Heineken Premium Light (later renamed)
Heineken introduces a light beer variant to target health-conscious consumers. #product #launch
1975 CE
Heineken opens its first brewery outside Europe, in Singapore
Heineken establishes Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) with a brewery in Singapore, marking a major Asian expansion. #globalexpansion #brewery
1984 CE
Heineken acquires the Dutch brand Brand Beer
Heineken takes over Brand Brewery, adding a specialty beer brand to its portfolio. #acquisition
1992 CE
Heineken acquires majority stake in Cruzzampo (Grupo Modelo? Actually wrong) Correct: Acqu
Heineken expands into Central and Eastern Europe by acquiring a majority stake in Polish brewery Zywiec. #acquisition #EasternEurope
1998 CE
Heineken N.V. reorganizes corporate structure
Heineken N.V. becomes the operational company, with Heineken Holding N.V. as the controlling shareholder. #corporate #restructuring
2002 CE
Heineken acquires majority of BBAG (Austrian brewer)
Heineken acquires a controlling stake in Brau Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft (BBAG), expanding in Central Europe. #acquisition #Austria
2005 CE
Heineken sells its stake in the Spanish brewery (actually? ) I'll use: Heineken acquires 5
Heineken enters the Egyptian market by buying a 50% stake in Al Ahram Beverages Company. #acquisition #Africa
2007 CE
Heineken and Carlsberg acquire Scottish & Newcastle
Heineken, together with Carlsberg, acquires the British brewer Scottish & Newcastle, with Heineken taking its UK, Irish, and other assets. #merger #acquisition
2010 CE
Heineken acquires FEMSA Cerveza from Coca-Cola FEMSA
Heineken buys the beer operations of FEMSA in Mexico and Brazil, gaining brands like Dos Equis and Tecate. #acquisition #LatinAmerica
2012 CE
Heineken acquires the remaining 50% of Asia Pacific Breweries
Heineken buys out its partner to take full ownership of APB, strengthening its grip on the Asian market. #acquisition #Asia
2014 CE
Heineken launches the 'Open Your City' campaign
Heineken starts a global marketing campaign emphasizing urban exploration and social experiences. #marketing #advertising
2015 CE
Heineken completes acquisition of 50% of Lagunitas Brewing Company
Heineken acquires a 50% stake in the American craft brewer Lagunitas, entering the craft beer segment. #acquisition #craftbeer
2016 CE
Heineken introduces the 'Brew a Better World' sustainability program
Heineken launches a comprehensive sustainability strategy focusing on environmental and social impact. #sustainability #CSR
2017 CE
Heineken acquires full ownership of Lagunitas
Heineken buys the remaining 50% of Lagunitas, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. #acquisition
2018 CE
Heineken divests its stake in the Chinese brewery (Cre? Actually) Heineken acquires Kirin'
Heineken completes the acquisition of Kirin's Brazilian beer operations, including brands like Schin, making Heineken the second-largest brewery in Brazil. #acquisition #Brazil
2019 CE
Heineken enters a strategic partnership with China Resources Beer
Heineken partners with CR Beer to distribute Heineken in China and also takes a stake in CR Beer. #partnership #China
2020 CE
Heineken launches Heineken 0.0 non-alcoholic beer globally
Heineken rolls out its non-alcoholic beer Heineken 0.0 worldwide, targeting the growing sober-curious movement. #product #innovation
2021 CE
Heineken sells its operations in Russia
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Heineken announces its exit from the Russian market, selling its business there. #divestment #geopolitics
2022 CE
Heineken names Dolf van den Brink as new CEO
Dolf van den Brink succeeds Jean-François van Boxmeer as CEO, leading the company through its next growth phase. #leadership #CEO
2023 CE
Heineken acquires the remaining stake in Lagunitas (again?) Actually earlier. Use: Heineke
Heineken launches Pure Piraña, a hard seltzer brand, to compete in the fast-growing seltzer market. #product #einnovation
2024 CE
Heineken reports record revenues of €30 billion
Heineken posts record annual revenues, driven by premiumization and global demand for its brands. #finance #revenue