Heineken’s specially designed “Beer Level,” guarantees perfectly aligned beers
With 25 million serves of Heineken across 192 countries every single day, there is a true science to maintaining its perfectly balanced taste and refreshment.
From 100% Natural Ingredients, Heineken’s famous A-Yeast and horizontal fermentation tanks – and now a ‘Beer Level’ – a ‘highly scientific’, Heineken filled spirit level to ensure bars and tables across the globe are perfectly flat to guarantee the perfect pint presentation.
The playful ‘Beer Level’ comes as Heineken launches a global campaign and TVC ‘The First Ahhh!’. The campaign captures the iconic and refreshing ‘first sip’ feeling you get from a crisp, uniquely balanced Heineken when finishing your day and starting your evening – no matter where you are in the world.
Nabil Nasser, global head, Heineken brand, says: “As a brand rooted in more than 150 years of brewing heritage, our perfectly balanced, refreshing taste has become known across the world as a great beer to have with friends. ‘The First Ahhh!’ embodies that feeling at the end of the day when you can grab a beer with a group of friends. We also want to bring some fun to our credentials by creating this Giant Spirit (or Beer) Level, highlighting our dedication to the craft in true Heineken wit and style. We’re excited to bottle up that unique ‘First Ahhh!’ feeling and share it with the world.”
Heineken has delivered its consistent taste and perfectly balanced taste to the world with its unique recipe for more than 150 years. Ever wondered what makes the perfect serve? Heineken master brewer Willem van Waesberghe recommends looking out for the following six signs:
- The glass should be held at the base – this keeps the beer as cool and crisp as possible.
- The tap should be opened in one firm motion – your server needs to be confident – if opened slowly, they risk squeezing the line, resulting in excess foam falling into the glass before the tap is fully opened.
- The glass should be tilted precisely at a 45-degree angle with the beer pouring down the inside of the glass – this creates that mesmerising whirlpool effect that whips up the foam underneath. Remember – the nozzle should never touch the beer, as this breaks the surface tension which impacts the crisp, refreshing taste.
- The head of foam should be solid and perfectly balanced on the arms of the iconic Red Star, all the way to the rim of the glass – in scientific terms, the perfect pint should consist of 95% beer, 5% foam, as this best brings out the beer’s aroma, whilst preventing oxidation and your beer going flat.
- Your server should start skimming the moment the beer overflows, using a wet skimmer at a 45-degree angle – this removes excess foam and creates an unbroken seal. Skimming removes large bubbles on top of the foam that protects it from oxygen and maintains the head for longer.
- Wherever you enjoy a Heineken, the ‘first sip’ feeling is best enjoyed in a glass – no matter where you are in the world, pour your Heineken from the bottle and into a lager glass to unlock the full flavour experience.
Willem van Waesberghe, master brewer at Heineken says: “It’s easy to take for granted the refreshment and uniquely balanced taste a Heineken always provides – whether Original, Silver or 0.0 – as it is so consistent wherever in the world you enjoy it. However, there is a true science behind the sip, driven by our five-star brewing principles, including Heineken’s famous A-yeast, quality pure malt, 100% natural ingredients, a horizontal brewing method and our verified star brewers, a title that takes 10 years to attain – that provide you with the ‘First Ahhh!’ feeling.”
Heineken has worked with renowned UK chef Lee Tiernan of London’s ‘F.K.A. Black Axe Mangal’, an expert when it comes to balancing taste and flavour, to showcase how its five-star premium brewing credentials make Heineken a consistent ”go-to” for diners to enjoy as the first drink of the night.
Lee Tiernan, chef and restauranteur says: “From the moment people walk into FKABAM, they want an experience that not only starts the night, but also something they’ll remember for the rest of their evening. The end goal of a beer and food pairing is that when combined, you end up with a more balanced flavour than each would be alone. That’s why Heineken is the perfect accompaniment for most dishes – its moderate body, light, fruity taste with a lingering fruit and balanced bitterness finish complements a huge range of flavours. My favourite ingredients to enjoy with a Heineken include fatty lamb shanks, spicy sausages and the umami flavours of fermented shrimp.”
To learn about the Heineken’s five core brewing principles and heritage, visit the home of Heineken in Amsterdam at the Heineken Experience.
