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End User Interview
Due to high demands on micro-bacteriological conditions, in the filtration department all tanks and equipment are manufactured in stainless steel.
Water – the most essential ingredient With water comprising up to 96 % of beer, Heineken places the highest priority on its quality and safety. To ensure consistency, the brewery operates its own onsite purification plant.“ We use a reverse osmosis distillation process to remove virtually all impurities from the water,” explains Erik.“ After purification, specific minerals are reintroduced to achieve the precise water profile required for brewing.”
The Heineken secret
The Zoeterwoude brewery holds a unique and strategic role within the global Heineken network— it is the only site in the world responsible for producing Heineken’ s proprietary A-type yeast.“ This yeast is made according to a confidential formulation,” explains Erik.“ The entire process takes place in a dedicated high-sanitation area, effectively a stainless steel cleanroom designed to maintain the highest standards of microbiological control.” To ensure purity and process integrity, the facility uses specially treated ultra-pure water to generate clean steam, which is critical to maintaining sterility throughout the yeast production cycle. Once the yeast is cultivated and quality-checked, it is shipped under tightly controlled conditions to Heineken breweries around the world, serving as the foundational ingredient that ensures product consistency across global operations.
The water treatment system is currently undergoing a phased upgrade, with components gradually being replaced with grade 316 stainless steel to enhance hygiene and durability.“ Given that water is the foundation of our product, we approach its treatment with the utmost care and precision,” he adds.
Future proof Heineken’ s Zoeterwoude brewery balances tradition with innovation, modernising its infrastructure with stainless steel, energy-efficient systems, and smart engineering. Led by experienced professionals like Erik Smit, the site is steadily evolving into a more sustainable, resilient operation— ready to meet the demands of the future while honouring its legacy.
An iconic Heineken truck doing its rounds in Deventer, the Netherlands. Photo: Dreamstime www. heat-exchanger-world. com Heat Exchanger World July 2025
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