Heineken

Heineken requires no introduction — it’s been brewed in Amsterdam since 1873 and has grown into one of the most recognised beer brands on earth, sold in over 190 countries. Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the de Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam at the age of 22, and what he started has become a global empire. Whether that’s a good or bad thing probably depends on your views about beer culture, but the honest truth is that Heineken itself is a competently made lager that does what it’s supposed to do.

Tasting Notes

Heineken pours a clear, bright pale gold with a white head. The nose is clean and lager-fresh — light grain, a subtle floral hop note, and the mild skunky quality that comes from the green bottles it’s traditionally sold in (less noticeable in draught). On the palate it’s crisp and clean: light malt, mild bitterness, and a refreshing finish that’s neither offensive nor remarkable. It’s a well-made, consistent international lager and nothing more or less than that.

Verdict

Serve ice cold and drink it in a context where you want something cold, fizzy, and unchallenging. Heineken is the lager for situations where the beer is secondary to the occasion — a hot day, a stadium event, a place where the craft beer list doesn’t exist. It’s not exciting, but it’s reliable. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.