That green bottle, the red star, the smiling ‘e’ like an instant welcome from an old friend. Heineken has that recognizable refreshing friend since 1873. At the heart of Heineken’s success lie pure, natural ingredients: malted barley, water, hops and a small but significant extra called A-Yeast. Heineken’s unique A-Yeast is responsible for the rich balanced taste and subtle fruity notes that have distinguished every single Heineken since the 19th century.