David XL Green, the world's greenest draught system, named Environmental Leader Top Product of the Year 2014

Amsterdam, March 26, 2014 /3BL Media/ - HEINEKEN today announced that its David XL Green, the world's greenest draught system received the prestigious Top Product of the Year Award 2014 in the Environmental Leader Product & Project Award. An expert panel of judges considered David XL Green as an exemplary innovation that provides bar owners with energy and environmental benefits.

David XL Green draught system stores and chills the kegs in a fridge directly below the counter so the beer does not have to travel far to the tapping point. This ensures that every beer is served at the right temperature and together with the green fridge this results in a 50% lower energy consumption versus conventional draught systems. Each 20 litre refillable stainless steel keg has a new disposable beer line to avoid potential contamination that may occur with a conventional installation if not cleaned properly. Together, these improvements result in a longer shelf life of 30 days for David kegs, ensuring that consumers always experience fresh draught beer. Since its launch in the summer of 2012, more than 2500 David XL Green draught systems have been supplied to 25 markets in Europe, Africa & Middle East, Asia and the Americas. David XL Green (double tap of beer) is the line extension of David Green (single tap of beer), the world's first 'green' draught beer system.

Commenting on the win, Commercial Manager Global Innovation, Erik van der Aa said, "Consumers these days are becoming increasingly knowledgeable and appreciative of how a perfect beer should look and taste. And they want their draught beer to be perfect every single time. David XL Green improves the overall beer quality served and guarantees that consumers always enjoy fresh draught beer, hence building consumer trust and loyalty benefitting both our brand as well as our customers".

Maarten ten Houten, Sustainability Manager Global Innovation stated: "Green Cooling is one of the main focal points of our sustainability strategy, as cooling represents about 29% of HEINEKEN's total carbon footprint. For 2020 we have the ambition to reduce our cooling footprint by 50% for fridges, David XL Green actively contributes to that goal."

In their report the judges commented: "David XL Green is a very creative product that solves customer problems, reduces costs, and delivers energy and greenhouse gas savings." Paul Nastu, publisher of Environmental Leader, which is the initiator of the award, added: "The caliber of the entries this year was even more impressive than last year, and showed the excitement and innovation taking place in the industry today. There was tough competition for those that entered, and the products that were awarded Top Product or Project of the Year are those that the judges say have viable attributes that set them apart from others in the field."

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Notes to Editors
With David XL Green outlet owners benefit from an easy to use system, no beer losses, no cleaning costs, low maintenance, significantly lower energy costs compared to even the newest conventional draught systems available and cost savings of around EUR 1000 - 1200 a year (depended on local beer price and annual sales volume)."
At the 2013 Canadean International Beer Awards in Prague David XL Green was the winner in the 'Best environmental/sustainability initiative of the year' category. During the event Heineken® Fountain Extra Cold, another innovative cooling draught system was also recognized. For more information visit: http://www.theheinekencompany.com/cooling-story-for-website.

About Environmental Leader
Since 2006, Environmental Leader's website and daily email newsletter have provided the definitive and objective voice in reporting on business-related energy, environmental, and sustainability issues. For more information visit: www.environmentalleader.com.

About the Environmental Leader Product & Project Awards
In its second year, the Environmental Leader Product & Project Awards recognize excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, or in corporate projects that improved environmental or energy management and increased the bottom line. It is a five-point rating system designed to offer companies feedback and recognition. Third-party judges came from the following companies: Anheuser Busch InBev, Arrow Electronics, Autodesk, Citigroup Inc., Con Agra Foods, Environmental & Operational Risk Management, GlaxoSmithKline, ISS Facility Services, Microsoft, Owens Corning, Power Advocate, Puma, Sam's Club, Sustainability and Risk Management Reputation Limited, Trupoint Advisers, the University of California Berkeley, Williams Creek Consulting, and YES Bank. For a complete list of winners, visit www.environmentalleader.com/environmental-leader-product-project-awards/.

About HEINEKEN
HEINEKEN is a proud, independent global brewer committed to surprise and excite consumers with its brands and products everywhere. The brand that bears the founder's family name - Heineken® - is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world's most valuable international premium beer brand. The Company's aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world's most valuable brand portfolio. HEINEKEN wants to win in all markets with Heineken® and with a full brand portfolio in markets of choice. The Company is present in over 70 countries and operates more than 165 breweries. HEINEKEN is Europe's largest brewer and the world's third largest by volume. HEINEKEN is committed to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 250 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Heineken®, Amstel, Anchor, Biere Larue, Bintang, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Desperados, Dos Equis, Foster's, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Strongbow, Tecate, Tiger and Zywiec. Our leading joint venture brands include Cristal and Kingfisher. The number of people employed is over 85,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the NYSE Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY).
Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com.

Brewing a Better Future: It is HEINEKEN's strategy for creating shared, sustainable value: for our company, for society and for the planet. And it is fundamental to how we do business. Developed with our stakeholders and based on insight into global trends, our strategy focuses on the four areas where we can make the biggest difference: water, CO2, local sourcing and responsible consumption. These are underpinned by our values and behaviours: living our values, leading by example, and working together to make a difference.