The Heineken story began in 1864 when Gerard Adriaan Heineken purchased the 'De Hooiberg' brewery in Amsterdam. He dedicated himself to brewing a high-quality beer, and in 1873, he established the 'Heineken's Bierbrouwerij Maatschappij' (Heineken Beer Brewing Company). The brewery quickly gained popularity, and Heineken expanded its operations, opening a second brewery in Rotterdam in 1874. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Heineken focused on innovation, becoming one of the first breweries to establish an in-house laboratory for quality control. After Gerard's death in 1893, his son Henry Pierre Heineken continued to develop the brand, expanding internationally and solidifying Heineken's reputation for excellence. The original Amsterdam brewery remained in operation until 1988, when it was transformed into the Heineken Experience, opening its doors to the public in 1991.