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| | Frequently asked questions | |
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| | This is the complete list of frequently asked questions. | |
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| |  Are Heineken and Amstel the same around the world? | |
 | The reality is that 100% of all the Heineken beer brewed worldwide is done so using the same recipe and that about 95% of this beer has the same final product specifications. For the other 5 % we can say that, due to local legal/tax reasons (in most cases special alcohol regulations), the final product specification is only somewhat different. (e.g. in Ireland and Sweden).
For Amstel we have to be more careful as different recipes (raw material usages) and different final product specifications apply worldwide. For Amstel, our commercial managers are looking more to the local market circumstances (competition) and give the Amstel beer the best possible position (character) in that market. | |
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| | Are there still Heineken Holding A and B shares? | |
| No, A and B shares do no longer exist. During the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on 20 April 2005 it was decided to convert the A and B shares into one kind of (ordinary) shares since there is no need anymore for this (historical) difference. Next to the ordinary shares there are now only priority shares. | |
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| | Can I visit a Heineken brewery? | |
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The Heineken Experience is located at one of the most impressive industrial heritage sites of the Netherlands; the original Heineken brewery in Amsterdam. In this unique environment, you are going to experience Heineken's rich history and the tradition and craft of brewing. You’ll learn the extraordinary story of the people behind this remarkable company, now the most international beer distributor in the world. Be one of the first to visit the brewery after its new renovations (2008)! Brand new attractions include a mini brewery, a tasting bar, as well as the “Stable Walk”, where visitors will be able to access the stables to view Heineken's iconic Shire horses from nearby. Are you ready to be brewed in the Brew U simulator? A visit to the Heineken Experience takes about 90 minutes. Two drinks are included!
The Heineken Experience is open Monday - Sunday, from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Tickets cost 15,00 euros and the sales desk is open until 17:30. Trams 16, 24 and 25 stop just around the corner at the Heinekenplein. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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| | Does Heineken beer contain any gluten? | |
| Beer contains gluten, which comes from the grain from which it is brewed. Only a fraction of the gluten that the grain contains gets into the beer. The proportion depends on the kind of grain that is used. The use of barley results only in traces of gluten in the beer whilst wheat contributes considerably more. It also depends on the brewing process. Generally speaking: the clearer and blonder the beer is, the less gluten it may contain. Some people are allergic to gluten and have to follow a diet that minimises or excludes their gluten intake. Whether beer can be part of such a diet or not, is dependent on the extent of the allergy and the beer type consumed. In many cases lager beers pose no problem for people who have a gluten allergy. However, it is up to the individual to assess his or her sensitivity. | |
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| | Does Heineken contain any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? | |
| No. Heineken has a policy of not using GMO raw materials. | |
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| | Does Heineken use additives in its brewing process? | |
| Heineken is brewed in a natural brewing process, with no additives. It contains water, barley malt, hops, and the unique Heineken A-yeast for the fermentation in the brewing process. | |
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| | Does non-alcoholic beer really contain no alcohol? | |
| Not literally 'no alcohol'. In general non-alcoholic beers are made in one of three ways: a very short fermentation to get a beery taste but very little alcohol, or a normal fermentation after which the alcohol is removed by means of a selective filter, or a combination of the above methods. Every brewery has its own brewing methods and secret recipes - this is one of ours. | |
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| | How do I apply for a job within Heineken? | |
| You can find out more about working for Heineken by visiting our Careers website which will give you a flavour of the company. The site does not hold vacancies but the connections to our Operating Companies provide access to local opportunities. Additionally, our International Graduate Programme website can also be accessed through the careers site. Read more on our careers website. | |
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| | How do you guarantee the quality of your products? | |
| Maintaining quality across many markets presents an enormous challenge in logistics, sales, and business partnerships and in the brewing operation itself. Heineken breweries can call upon the expertise and support of Heineken Supply Chain - our specialist in-house consultancy that ensures global product quality.
For decades Heineken Supply Chain has designed, built and helped to operate breweries in all parts of the world. The service includes research and development work for new products, giving advice on brewing, logistics, technical staff, best practices studies and providing full feasibility and management studies for a wide range of projects. | |
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| | How much Heineken is being sold worldwide? | |
| According to our 2004 Annual Report, we sold 22.8 million hectolitres of Heineken and a total of 121.8 million hectolitres of beer. | |
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| | Is the company still owned by the family? | |
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| | What are the main ingredients in Heineken beer? | |
| Heineken contains water, barley malt and hops. | |
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| | What brands are part of Heineken's portfolio? | |
| Heineken has two international brands - Heineken and Amstel - that are widely available around the globe. Heineken can be found in approximately 200 countries, Amstel in over 100 countries. Alongside the two international brands we also have a growing portfolio of regional and national brands including Cruzcampo, "33" Export, Birra Moretti, Zywiec, Murphy’s and Star- the largest regional brand in Asia. All these brands are owned and managed by the local operating companies. Read more about our brands. | |
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| | What do the terms 'pilsener' and 'lager' mean? Are they the same? | |
| Essentially, they both refer to the same thing. However, the name Pilsener comes from the town Pilsen in the Czech Republic. Traditionally, the only true pilsener is beer from that region. Today, whether a beer is a lager or a pilsener usually depends on the common usage of the country in question. We use the name 'pilsener' to mean a bright, pure, bottom fermented beer, as opposed to darker and top fermented beers (often called 'ale' or 'stout'.) | |
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| | What does IFRS mean? | |
| International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). European Union regulation requires all publicly listed companies based in the EU to report their financial statements under IFRS as of January 1, 2005. IFRS replaces the previous Dutch GAAP. | |
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| | What does the implementation of IFRS mean for Heineken N.V.? | |
| The adoption of IFRS has impacted the valuation and classification of a number of items in Heineken’s income statement and balance sheet. The main changes in Heineken’s 2004 full year financial statements are listed below.
Summary of IFRS restatement
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Dutch GAAP |
IFRS restated (unaudited) |
| Year ended 31 December 2004 |
(€ million) |
(€ million) |
| Net Turnover |
10,005 |
10,062 |
| Operating Profit |
1,248 |
1,348 |
| Net Profit |
537 |
642 |
| Net Profit (BEIA)* |
791 |
803 |
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(€) |
(€) |
| Net Profit per share |
1.10 |
1.31 |
| Net Profit (BEIA) per share |
1.61 |
1.64 |
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| As at 31 December 2004 |
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| Shareholders’equity |
3,379 |
3,256 |
| Total Assets |
10,418 |
10,777 |
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*BEIA under IFRS = Before Exceptional Items and Amortisation of Brands
*BEIA under Dutch GAAP = Before Exceptional Items and Amortisation of Goodwill
Please click here for more 2004 Heineken N.V. IFRS figures. | | |
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| | What is Heineken doing to prevent alcohol abuse? | |
| First and foremost, we promote our products responsibly. This means that we do not promote misuse or abuse.
Secondly, we participate in initiatives aimed at raising awareness for alcohol abuse, such as drinking and driving campaigns and server training programmes.
We also organise sponsored events in a way that encourages responsible consumption and respect for the environment.
Additionally, we participate in a number of research organisations that are working to provide better insight into the causes and prevention of alcohol abuse.
Finally, we are actively seeking partnerships with organisations that share our concern for alcohol abuse and that deliver expertise that we do not have, such as treatment.
Heineken has had an active policy on alcohol that is directed to both consumers and employees for many years now. We publish our efforts to promote responsible consumption in order to encourage constructive public dialogue. We opened the website www.enjoyheinekenresponsibly.com
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| | What is 'light' beer? | |
| Light is a so-called reduced-alcohol, low-calorie beer: it contains at least 33 per cent less calories than Pilsener beers. The original gravity and the alcohol content determine the number of calories. Therefore, light beers are always lower in original gravity and alcohol.
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| | What is the discount between Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares? | |
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| | What is the exact product composition of Heineken beer? | |
| The product composition, based on average analysis data, for Heineken's two main brands are:
Heineken
Gravity: Original extract 11-12% by weight
Alcohol: 5% vol.
Carbohydrates: 3.0 gram/100ml
Proteins: 0.5 gram/100ml
Sodium 3mg/100ml
Energy value: 170KJoule/100ml = 40Kcal/100ml
Bitterness: 23 EBU
Colour: 7 EBC
Amstel
Gravity: Original extract 11-12% by weight
Alcohol: 5% vol.
Carbohydrates (mainly dextrins and polysaccharides): 3g/100 ml
Proteins: 0.5 gram/100ml
Sodium: 3mg/100ml
Energy value: 170 KJoule/100ml = 40Kcal/100ml
Bitterness: 21 EBU
Colour: 9 EBC | |
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| | What is the relationship between Heineken Holding N.V. and Heineken N.V.? | |
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| | What kind of background do I need for a management career at Heineken? | |
| We try to select the best, young, business-oriented graduates in Food, Chemicals, Technology, ICT, Law, Business Administration, Human Resources or Economics in the various countries where Heineken operates. Some basic qualities we look for are:
- Management talent and experience
- An interest in international work experience
- Top of graduating class with degrees in food/chemical technology, engineering, law, business administration, economics and ICT
- Familiarity with your national culture
- Highly motivated to begin a career with Heineken
- Eager to learn and develop
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| | When was Heineken founded? | |
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| | Where do I find more information on shares? | |
| For more information on shares please click here for the key facts. | |
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| | Where does the Red Star on the label come from and what does it stand for? | |
| The red star is an original icon of the brand, used since the very beginning. Its exact origins are unknown, and there are a few explanations. For instance one explanation is that it was a symbol of European brewers in the Middle Ages, who believed it to have mystical powers to protect their brew.
Another explanation is that four points of the star, accounted for the elements earth, fire, water and wind and that the fifth point is the unknown, which is a element that brewers in the middle ages couldn’t control.
A third explanation is that the position of a star on the front door of the brewery indicated the stage of the brewing process. During the Cold War, the original design was altered to avoid association with communism (it was replaced by a white star with a red outline). After the end of the Cold War, the original full red star was restored. For us, the red star's principle association is a festive, warm and cheerful mood. | |
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| | Where is Heineken sold? | |
| Heineken beer is available in approximately 200 countries. With more than 115 breweries in over 65 countries and export activities all over the world, Heineken is the most international brewery group in the world. In 2004 the total beer volume of the Heineken Group amounted to 121.8 million hectolitres. Below is a brief overview:
Western Europe
The Western European beer market is one of the most profitable in the world. In 2004, the beer market declined slightly as a result of the relatively poor summer, weaker European economies and unfavourable demographics. 43.5 million hectolitres of beer was brewed in Western Europe, compared to 40.7 million in 2000.
Central and Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern Europe is one of the world’s largest beer markets by region. Many markets have below-average per-capita consumption and countries are preparing to join the European Union. These elements are forecast to deliver acceleration in growth of purchasing power, beer consumption and to expand the market for premium beer. In 2004, 31.6 million hectolitres of beer were produced, compared to 10 million in 2000.
The Americas
Heineken has built a strong position in the Americas, with exports to the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. Heineken also owns a number of breweries in the Caribbean and Central America and has interests in and licensing agreements with several breweries in Central and South America. For the region as a whole (Latin and South America in particular) is still expected to offer growth opportunities in the future. 14.5 million hectolitres were brewed across the American region, compared to 7.4 million in 2000.
Asia Pacific
Strong recovery in the Asia Pacific economies has seen Heineken’s beer sales volumes increase 13% in 2004. Last year, 9.5 million hectolitres were produced in the region, compared to 7.5 million in 2000.
Africa and the Middle East
Beer and sales volume in Africa and the Middle East expanded in 2004, thanks mainly to wider distribution and increased production capacity. Total beer volume grew by more than 6% last year, with 13.5 million hectolitres of beer being produced. In 2000, 9.2 million hectolitres were produced. | |
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| | Why did Heineken Holding used to have A and B shares? | |
| When Heineken Holding N.V. was established, Mr Heineken and his partner chose for different shares. The shares that were owned by Mr Heineken were called B shares, while the others were A shares. Later, when stock dividends and recaps to place, only A shares were issued. | |
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| | Why is there a difference between the share price of Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V.? | |
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Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade at a discount to the Heineken N.V. shares. This seems odd, as dividend- and share split policy of both companies are equal. Also earnings per share and equity per share are the same. Although it is impossible to explain the discount between the two shares in detail there are some factors that might have an influence:
- The number of Heineken N.V. shares is double the number of Heineken Holding N.V., which makes Heineken N.V. shares more liquid.
- Heineken N.V. is part of the main Dutch index, AEX, and of important international indices where Heineken Holding N.V. is not, resulting in higher demand of Heineken N.V. shares.
- Heineken N.V. is on the list of most active funds of the Euronext Amsterdam, which makes the Heineken N.V. shares more visible than the Heineken Holding shares.
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