Before Beck’s became part of the global brewing giant AB InBev, it stood tall as a symbol of German brewing heritage and innovation. Founded in 1873 in the port city of Bremen, the brewery quickly made a name for itself with its crisp, refreshing lagers and a fierce commitment to quality. The Beck’s brand became synonymous with Bremen and went on to become one of Germany’s most famous exports.
Brauerei Beck’s kicked off when master brewer Lüder Rutenberg, merchant Heinrich Beck, and master cooper Thomas May joined forces to create something big. With a combination of brewing expertise and business acumen, the trio launched Beck’s, and it didn’t take long for them to start exporting their beer to the United States—just two years after opening. It was a bold move at the time, but it paid off. Beck’s quickly established itself internationally, becoming one of the first German beers to break into the US market. Not bad for a brewery that had just started out!
Like any self-respecting German brewery, Beck’s adhered to the Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity law. This meant that only four ingredients could be used: water, barley, hops, and yeast. Beck’s didn’t mess about—they prided themselves on sourcing only the best ingredients. The water came from deep wells under Bremen, the hops from the famous Hallertau region, and the barley was locally sourced. Together, these elements created a light, crisp lager with just enough bitterness to make it memorable. By the turn of the 20th century, Beck’s had established itself as one of Germany’s top brewers.
One of the most striking things about Beck’s is its iconic green bottle. Back when brown bottles were the norm (because they protected the beer from sunlight), Beck’s decided to stand out with green glass and a bold red and silver label. This decision was part of a strategy to create a unique identity, and it worked. The green bottle and the key logo—a nod to Bremen’s coat of arms—became instantly recognisable around the world. That key symbol, by the way, was a tribute to Bremen’s long-standing role as a gateway for international trade. Beck’s wasn’t just a beer; it was a piece of Bremen’s history.
As the 20th century progressed, Beck’s continued to grow, not just in Germany but internationally. They expanded their export markets, reaching countries like Australia and Japan. By the 1960s, Beck’s had become the biggest exporter of German beer, with nearly 40% of its production heading overseas. Much like Heineken today, Beck’s became the go-to beer for German businessmen across the globe. Whether you were in New York, Tokyo, or Johannesburg, if you wanted to signal a bit of German sophistication and quality, you ordered a Beck’s. With its crisp, clean taste and instantly recognisable green bottle, Beck’s was synonymous with German precision and reliability. It was more than just a beer—it was a symbol of international business culture, enjoyed in boardrooms, hotel bars, and corporate events worldwide.
Despite their global success, Beck’s remained fiercely independent. The brewery was still owned by the founding families in Bremen, and they kept their focus on quality, refusing to cut corners or compromise. This loyalty to tradition made Beck’s a source of pride for Bremen and, by extension, Germany. Even as global beer giants started buying up smaller breweries, Beck’s held strong, maintaining its independence and reputation as one of the world’s finest brewers.
That all changed in 2002 when Beck’s was acquired by Interbrew, which later became AB InBev after a series of mergers. For many, this marked the end of an era. While the brewery continues to produce the same beer, Beck’s had always been about independence and tradition, something that inevitably shifted under corporate ownership. But long before that, Beck’s had already cemented its place as a global powerhouse, known for its green bottles, world-class pilsners, and unwavering dedication to the craft.
So, while Beck’s is now part of the AB InBev family, it’s worth remembering the legacy it built as an independent brewery. From bold international moves in the 19th century to becoming Germany’s largest beer exporter in the 20th, Beck’s was always ahead of the game. And at the heart of it all was Bremen, a city that gave the world one of its most recognisable beers. That legacy won’t be forgotten.
In 1993, I had the privilege of living and working in Bremen, a city whose brewing heritage runs deep. I spent that year playing rugby, making new friends, and, naturally, drinking my fair share of Beck’s and Haake Beck. In fact, we even had both of them on tap in the boardroom at Meistermarken Werke, where I worked. It doesn’t get much more German than that!