Heineken's domestic formula differs from the export formula (primarily due to the amount of hops added to the export formula, IIRC), which is covered on the tour. The domestic Heineken really is much better than the stuff we get in North America.
I live in Amsterdam and almost everybody I know considers Heineken only tolerable - it's the Bud Light of the region.
Personally I think Heineken 0% is better than the normal pils.
Much of the problem with many skunky lagers lacking taste is storing them in bottles that don't block UV (green, for example) for extended periods of time.
Not saying it's exemplary, but freshness is probably a factor sometimes