Heineken

Heineken is a 5% ABV pale lager beer made by the Dutch company Heineken. Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought the De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam in 1864; the first beer under the Heineken name was brewed in 1873. With its green bottle and red star, it is one of the world's most recognised beer brands.

What makes Heineken different?

Heineken is brewed with its own distinctive yeast strain, rooted in the bottom-fermenting yeast developed by Dr Elion, a student of Louis Pasteur. The recipe has a simple composition of water, barley malt and hops. Main production in the Netherlands has taken place at the Zoeterwoude plant since 1975; the beer is now sold in more than 190 countries.

How should it be served?

It is served well chilled. Leaving a two-finger head of foam when pouring into a glass helps preserve the carbonation and aroma. Drinking from the bottle is also common. It should be kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

What does Heineken pair well with?

Its balanced, refreshing character accompanies many dishes. Pizza and pasta, barbecue meats, burgers and salted nuts are classic pairings. It also goes well with fried foods and lightly spiced dishes.