HCF News Q2 2026 (Board)
our history, our future
april- june 2026
thought leadership & inspiration
We are the single source of HEINEKEN (hi)story telling
talks & lectures
talks & lectures
Behind the Green | Pioneering in commerce
On 23 June, the first Behind the Green coffee session took place. Hosted by our Collection manager, the session explored the theme Pioneering in Commerce and took colleagues on a journey through more than 160 years of HEINEKEN history.
Using examples ranging from Gerard Heineken’s early business decisions to later commercial innovations, the session demonstrated how a pioneering mindset has helped shape the company over generations, and how those lessons remain relevant today.
The pilot session received enthusiastic feedback and highlighted the growing role of the Heineken Collection in bringing heritage, innovation and culture together. Through initiatives like Behind the Green, the Collection helps connect colleagues with the stories behind the company, turning historical insights into inspiration for today and tomorrow.
A promising first edition
The first edition of the For-EverGreen Day Awards delivered a strong result, with 127 submissions from across the organisation and high levels of engagement on Workvivo. The broad spread of entries across all categories confirmed that the initiative resonated with colleagues and demonstrated the value of recognising recent HEINEKEN achievements as part of our shared heritage.
The impact of the programme was also recognised beyond the Foundation. During a recent Global Corporate Affairs Townhall, the For-EverGreen Awards ceremony received a special mention as the highest-engaging Workvivo event of the year to date—a strong endorsement for a first edition.
The pilot year has also provided valuable insights on how to further strengthen participation and global reach. These learnings will help shape the next edition, which is already being prepared for launch after the summer.
Most importantly, the Awards are helping to capture stories of innovation, growth and productivity from across HEINEKEN. As the first winning objects arrive at the Collection, these stories are becoming part of our shared heritage and future storytelling.
From award winner to heritage object
The first objects from the For-EverGreen Awards have officially arrived at the Heineken Collection. The award-winning glasses from HEINEKEN Taiwan, made from recycled Heineken® bottles and inspired by Taiwan’s iconic 143 sharing glass, have now been accessioned into the collection.
To mark their arrival, the team created a short reveal video showcasing the objects and the story behind them. By becoming part of the Heineken Collection, these glasses are now preserved not only as examples of innovation and sustainability, but also as part of HEINEKEN’s shared heritage and future storytelling.
More For-EverGreen Awards objects from around the world are steadily making their way to the Collection. Together, they are helping to capture recent HEINEKEN history and ensure that today’s pioneering ideas become tomorrow’s heritage.
collection management
Minimising risk, maximising potential
Documenting the collection
Good collection management starts with good documentation. During April, hundreds of photographs were taken of acquisitions made between 2022 and 2024, helping to ensure that newly acquired objects are properly recorded, accessible and ready for future research, exhibitions and storytelling initiatives.
acquisitions
The Collection continued to grow this spring with several notable acquisitions. Among them are the first objects registered as part of the For-EverGreen Day Awards: the award-winning Sustainable Cups from HEINEKEN Taiwan. Innovation meets sustainability in these iconic 143 sharing glasses containing 20% recycled glass from Heineken bottles.
Another remarkable acquisition came from the estate of Café Lusthof in Amsterdam, including parts of what is believed to be the largest illuminated Heineken sign ever produced, alongside historic labels, a painted advertising board and a mirror clock.
The Collection also acquired two original Heineken Bokbier designs by renowned artist André Vlaanderen from the 1920s. Sourced through auction, these rare works add further depth to the Collection and provide valuable material for future storytelling.
Archive Revive
loans & exhibitions
The Collection continues to make its heritage accessible to wider audiences through loans and exhibitions. Eighteen objects were provided to Museum Wierdenland in Groningen for its exhibition on beer culture, including historic posters, bottles, cans and glassware.
Preparations are also underway for a new display at HEINEKEN’s Amsterdam headquarters, where selected heritage objects will showcase the company’s history and innovation journey. The display will feature the For-EverGreen Day Award-winning glass from Taiwan and provides a dedicated space for future winners.
Collection Emergency Response (CER)
Preparing for the next valuation round
Behind the scenes, work is underway to update the collection’s insurance records. New valuation lists have been prepared, including a significant number of objects from the Stables collection, which joined the Heineken Collection last year. The next valuation round is scheduled for the second half of the year and will help ensure the collection remains appropriately insured and documented.
Preserving rare audio recordings
Work is underway to digitise a unique set of glass-cut records from 1947 and 1948. Once completed, the recordings will add valuable new content to the Collection’s growing digital archive, including performances by the Heineken men’s choir from Rotterdam, celebrations marking 75 years of H.B.M., and several historic speeches and songs. By preserving these fragile recordings in digital form, their stories can continue to be shared with future generations.
Welcoming heritage enthusiasts and partners
This spring, the Heineken Collection welcomed a variety of visitors, from international brewing enthusiasts to former brewery representatives and business partners. Particularly valuable was a visit from representatives connected to Brouwerij De Ster in Wouw, who shared photographs and historical information that help enrich the story of this former brewery and its longstanding connection to HEINEKEN. The team also hosted colleagues and customers for guided visits to the exhibition and depot, offering a closer look at the work of preserving and sharing our brewing heritage.
heritage returns to the heineken villa
In April, the period room objects from the Heineken Villa returned to their original setting following the renovation of HEINEKEN’s Head Office. Having spent several months in temporary storage, the objects are once again helping to bring the history of the Heineken family and company to life within this historic space.
AV update
Historic film footage from the Heineken Ontvangstcentrum and Heineken Experience, digitised in 2024, took centre stage during the Heineken Experience’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The films were featured on narrowcasting screens throughout the building and on the main screen in the Koelschip, bringing decades of history to life for visitors and colleagues alike.
The value of the growing digital film archive extends beyond anniversaries. Footage digitised in 2025 is already being used in presentations on HEINEKEN’s sports and music sponsorship heritage, helping tell the story behind some of the company’s most iconic partnerships.
The Collection is also increasingly finding its way onto social media. Together with Boomerang, our team has worked on new heritage-focused content for the Heineken Experience channels. During the Experience’s 25th birthday celebrations, we interviewed visiting Amsterdammers, capturing their memories and personal connections to this Amsterdam icon.
Depot climate
This summer, the depot’s climate control system is being replaced as part of an important infrastructure upgrade. During the works, additional measures have been taken to safeguard the collection, including enhanced monitoring and protective coverings for vulnerable storage areas. Once completed, the new system will help ensure stable conditions for the long-term preservation of the collection.
Documenting the collection
Good collection management starts with good documentation. During April, hundreds of photographs were taken of acquisitions made between 2022 and 2024, helping to ensure that newly acquired objects are properly recorded, accessible and ready for future research, exhibitions and storytelling initiatives.
acquisitions
The Collection continued to grow this spring with several notable acquisitions. Among them are the first objects registered as part of the For-EverGreen Day Awards: the award-winning Sustainable Cups from HEINEKEN Taiwan. Innovation meets sustainability in these iconic 143 sharing glasses containing 20% recycled glass from Heineken bottles.
Another remarkable acquisition came from the estate of Café Lusthof in Amsterdam, including parts of what is believed to be the largest illuminated Heineken sign ever produced, alongside historic labels, a painted advertising board and a mirror clock.
The Collection also acquired two original Heineken Bokbier designs by renowned artist André Vlaanderen from the 1920s. Sourced through auction, these rare works add further depth to the Collection and provide valuable material for future storytelling.
Archive Revive
loans & exhibitions
The Collection continues to make its heritage accessible to wider audiences through loans and exhibitions. Eighteen objects were provided to Museum Wierdenland in Groningen for its exhibition on beer culture, including historic posters, bottles, cans and glassware.
Preparations are also underway for a new display at HEINEKEN’s Amsterdam headquarters, where selected heritage objects will showcase the company’s history and innovation journey. The display will feature the For-EverGreen Day Award-winning glass from Taiwan and provides a dedicated space for future winners.
Collection Emergency Response (CER)
Preparing for the next valuation round
Behind the scenes, work is underway to update the collection’s insurance records. New valuation lists have been prepared, including a significant number of objects from the Stables collection, which joined the Heineken Collection last year. The next valuation round is scheduled for the second half of the year and will help ensure the collection remains appropriately insured and documented.
Preserving rare audio recordings
Work is underway to digitise a unique set of glass-cut records from 1947 and 1948. Once completed, the recordings will add valuable new content to the Collection’s growing digital archive, including performances by the Heineken men’s choir from Rotterdam, celebrations marking 75 years of H.B.M., and several historic speeches and songs. By preserving these fragile recordings in digital form, their stories can continue to be shared with future generations.
Welcoming heritage enthusiasts and partners
This spring, the Heineken Collection welcomed a variety of visitors, from international brewing enthusiasts to former brewery representatives and business partners. Particularly valuable was a visit from representatives connected to Brouwerij De Ster in Wouw, who shared photographs and historical information that help enrich the story of this former brewery and its longstanding connection to HEINEKEN. The team also hosted colleagues and customers for guided visits to the exhibition and depot, offering a closer look at the work of preserving and sharing our brewing heritage.
heritage returns to the heineken villa
In April, the period room objects from the Heineken Villa returned to their original setting following the renovation of HEINEKEN’s Head Office. Having spent several months in temporary storage, the objects are once again helping to bring the history of the Heineken family and company to life within this historic space.
AV update
Historic film footage from the Heineken Ontvangstcentrum and Heineken Experience, digitised in 2024, took centre stage during the Heineken Experience’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The films were featured on narrowcasting screens throughout the building and on the main screen in the Koelschip, bringing decades of history to life for visitors and colleagues alike.
The value of the growing digital film archive extends beyond anniversaries. Footage digitised in 2025 is already being used in presentations on HEINEKEN’s sports and music sponsorship heritage, helping tell the story behind some of the company’s most iconic partnerships.
The Collection is also increasingly finding its way onto social media. Together with Boomerang, our team has worked on new heritage-focused content for the Heineken Experience channels. During the Experience’s 25th birthday celebrations, we interviewed visiting Amsterdammers, capturing their memories and personal connections to this Amsterdam icon.
Depot climate
This summer, the depot’s climate control system is being replaced as part of an important infrastructure upgrade. During the works, additional measures have been taken to safeguard the collection, including enhanced monitoring and protective coverings for vulnerable storage areas. Once completed, the new system will help ensure stable conditions for the long-term preservation of the collection.
Amsterdam’s iconic krulletter
The Collection received a historic café door featuring the distinctive Amsterdam krulletter style created by sign painter Leo Beukeboom. The donation strengthens an already growing archive documenting this unique element of Amsterdam’s streetscape and its longstanding connection to the hospitality venues that have served Heineken® for generations.
connected collection
Exploring the full potential of our data
Heritage beyond the archives
Our collection continues to find new ways into the hospitality world. This spring, the Heineken Collection supported the L.A.N.X. darts initiative with historical insights, helped shape the visual identity of hospitality concept La Casita through carefully selected archival imagery, and supplied historic photographs for a striking photo wall in a newly renovated venue in the north of the Netherlands. Each project shows how heritage can add character, authenticity and storytelling power to the places where people enjoy Heineken® today.
Memorix Nexus
As part of the transfer to Nexus, a dedicated subdomain (data.heinekencollection.com) was launched to enable structured data publishing and support future integrations and applications. The first test datasets were successfully validated by the Netwerk Digitaal Erfgoed (NDE) in line with its Linked Data principles.
Platform availability and traffic monitoring
Separately, a temporary disruption of the collection platform highlighted increasing levels of external traffic, including AI-driven bot activity. This reinforced the importance of robust infrastructure and monitoring. Should similar incidents occur more frequently, additional downtime may result as firewall failsafe measures are triggered to protect the platform from further impact.
HEINEKEN’s hosting provider, WeAreTriple, investigated the source of the increased traffic, but the results were inconclusive. To reduce the risk of future disruptions, mitigation measures have been implemented, including increased caching to offload external traffic and enhanced event logging to provide better insight should a similar situation arise again.
Heritage beyond the archives
Our collection continues to find new ways into the hospitality world. This spring, the Heineken Collection supported the L.A.N.X. darts initiative with historical insights, helped shape the visual identity of hospitality concept La Casita through carefully selected archival imagery, and supplied historic photographs for a striking photo wall in a newly renovated venue in the north of the Netherlands. Each project shows how heritage can add character, authenticity and storytelling power to the places where people enjoy Heineken® today.
Memorix Nexus
As part of the transfer to Nexus, a dedicated subdomain (data.heinekencollection.com) was launched to enable structured data publishing and support future integrations and applications. The first test datasets were successfully validated by the Netwerk Digitaal Erfgoed (NDE) in line with its Linked Data principles.
Platform availability and traffic monitoring
Separately, a temporary disruption of the collection platform highlighted increasing levels of external traffic, including AI-driven bot activity. This reinforced the importance of robust infrastructure and monitoring. Should similar incidents occur more frequently, additional downtime may result as firewall failsafe measures are triggered to protect the platform from further impact.
HEINEKEN’s hosting provider, WeAreTriple, investigated the source of the increased traffic, but the results were inconclusive. To reduce the risk of future disruptions, mitigation measures have been implemented, including increased caching to offload external traffic and enhanced event logging to provide better insight should a similar situation arise again.
