8 fun facts about the Heineken Experience

The original Heineken brewery is an official Anchor Point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage—meaning it’s one of the most significant industrial landmarks in Europe, recognized for its historic and technological impact.

Most breweries skip this step, but not Heineken! It lets you taste wort, the sweet, unfermented liquid that kicks off the brewing process. It’s an odd but still informative way to learn how Heineken tastes before the fermentation begins.

Green wasn’t a random pick for the Heineken brand. The bottle’s color protects what’s inside from light damage, and it has become a globally recognized symbol of design consistency and visual impact over the years.

The Heineken Experience features a replica stable area and rare historical images that show how horses were fed, cared for, and prepped each day to handle long delivery routes through Amsterdam.

Heineken was one of the first major companies to open its brewery to the public while production was still ongoing. Visitors could watch the full process, from brewing to bottling, in real time.

Heineken’s red star has uncertain roots. Some historians believe it’s a medieval symbol for quality, while others say it symbolizes earth, fire, water, air, and “brewer’s magic.” During the Cold War, it changed to white to prevent association with the Soviet Union.

Freddy Heineken designed the WOBO bottle in 1960 to reduce glass waste by creating interlocking bricks for affordable housing. Though never mass-produced, prototypes and a WOBO wall remain at the Heineken Experience, highlighting this eco-friendly innovation.

Look carefully at the Heineken logo and you’ll spot a tilted “e” that forms a subtle smile. This clever design choice was made to give the brand a warm, inviting personality without using words.