Amstel is a Dutch beer brand with roots stretching back to 1870, when two businessmen founded the Amstel Brewery in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The brewery took its name from the Amstel river, on the banks of which it was established on the Mauritskade. For nearly a century it operated as an independent competitor to Heineken in Amsterdam, until Heineken International acquired the brand in 1968. Today, Amstel is brewed at Heineken facilities and has grown into a globally recognised premium lager brand, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2020 with an expansion into markets such as China. Amstel built its reputation on slow brewing with 100% pure malt and natural ingredients, resulting in clean, accessible lager styles that appeal to a broad audience. The portfolio has expanded well beyond its original golden Amstel Beer and now includes Amstel Lager, Amstel Premium Pilsener, and Amstel Light — a leading imported light beer in the United States. These beers are characterised by their approachable bitterness, crisp malt character and refreshing finish, hallmarks of the classic Dutch pilsener tradition. As part of the Heineken portfolio, Amstel is one of the company's most prominent international brands alongside Heineken itself. Amstel Light in particular has built a loyal following in the American market, where it is positioned as a quality imported light beer for discerning drinkers.