Šariš Brewery

Šariš Brewery was established in 1964 in Veľký Šariš, a town near Prešov in eastern Slovakia. Although the brewery was founded in 1964, its first beer was not brewed until 26 May 1967. From its beginnings, the brewery developed around the production of lager-style beers for the Slovak market, and its location became central to the identity of the Šariš brand. The brewery’s principal range has included pale beers identified by degree, a premium 12-degree lager, dark beer, and draught products. Šariš 10° is described as the first Šariš brand brewed at the brewery in 1967 and was positioned as a light draught table beer. The wider portfolio later included Šariš 12° Premium, made from light malt through two-phase fermentation and subsequent long cold refermentation; Šariš 11° Tmavý, a dark beer using four types of malt and hops; and Smädný mních, a light draught beer. Šariš 12° Premium received three gold medals at the Monde Selection world quality competition in Brussels, according to the supplied reference material. Between 1997 and 2017, Šariš Brewery was part of SABMiller, one of the world’s major brewing groups. A significant organizational change occurred on 1 January 2007, when Pivovary Topvar began operating in Slovakia as a combination of the existing Pivovar Šariš and Topvar breweries. This created a consolidated Slovak brewing company while preserving the Šariš brewery and brand in Veľký Šariš. The next major transition was the sale of the brewery to Asahi Breweries of Japan on 13 December 2016. Asahi acquired 100% of the shares of Pivovary Topvar, the company operating the combined Slovak brewing assets. The historical reference describes SABMiller membership as continuing through 2017, reflecting the period in which the ownership transition and broader international brewing consolidation were completed. Under Asahi ownership, Šariš became part of a multinational brewing portfolio while retaining its Slovak production base and regional brand identity. Šariš is therefore characterized by continuity of place and product alongside changes in corporate ownership. The brewery remains in Veľký Šariš and continues to be associated with Slovak lager brewing. The supplied sources do not provide sufficient detail to document later product launches, current production volumes, export distribution, plant investments, or named executives.

• 2016

  Sold to Asahi Breweries

  [1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  Asahi Breweries acquired Šariš Brewery through the purchase of all shares in Pivovary Topvar on 13 December 2016.

• 2007

  Pivovary Topvar began operations

  [1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  Pivovary Topvar began operating in Slovakia after the combination of Pivovar Šariš and Topvar.

• 1997

  Joined the SABMiller group

  [1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  Šariš Brewery became part of global brewing group SABMiller.

• 1967

  First Šariš beer brewed

  [1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  The brewery produced its first litres of Šariš beer on 26 May 1967.

• 1964

  Brewery founded

  [1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  Šariš Brewery was founded in Veľký Šariš near Prešov, Slovakia.

A popular Slovak beer brand with strong regional roots, offering accessible pale lagers, draught beer, and selected premium and dark styles.

• Premium lager

  Šariš 12° Premium

  A premium pale lager produced from light malt. The brewing process is described as using two-phase fermentation followed by an extended period of cold refermentation. Šariš identifies this beer as a flagship product of the brewery, and the supplied reference states that it received three gold medals at the Monde Selection quality competition in Brussels.

• Dark beer

  Šariš 11° Tmavý

  A dark Šariš beer brewed with four varieties of malt and hops. It extends the brewery’s portfolio beyond pale lager by offering a darker malt profile within the brand’s Slovak beer range.

• Light draught lager · 1967

  Šariš 10°

  A light draught table beer described as the first Šariš brand brewed by the brewery in 1967. It represents the brand’s traditional, accessible lager segment and its long-standing connection with draught beer in Slovakia.

• Light draught beer

  Smädný mních

  A light draught beer whose Slovak name translates approximately as “Thirsty Monk.” It is listed among the established products associated with Šariš Brewery.

• 2016

  Acquisition by Asahi BreweriesM&A

  Background

  Šariš Brewery was part of the Pivovary Topvar operating structure after the combination with Topvar.

  Action taken

  Asahi Breweries purchased the brewery and acquired 100% of the shares of Pivovary Topvar on 13 December 2016.

  Aftermath

  Šariš entered Asahi’s international brewing portfolio while retaining its Slovak brewery base.

  Source

• 2007

  Consolidation into Pivovary TopvarM&A

  Background

  Slovakia’s Šariš and Topvar breweries were brought under a combined operating company.

  Action taken

  Pivovary Topvar began operating on 1 January 2007.

  Aftermath

  Šariš continued as a brewery and brand within the consolidated Slovak brewing operation.

  Source

• 2016

  Asahi acquired Šariš through the purchase of Pivovary Topvar[1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  On 13 December 2016, Šariš Brewery was sold to Asahi Breweries. Asahi became the owner of 100% of Pivovary Topvar’s shares.

• 2007

  Pivovary Topvar began operating through the combination of Šariš and Topvar breweries[1]Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  A combined Slovak operating company, Pivovary Topvar, began operating on 1 January 2007, bringing together Pivovar Šariš and Topvar.

1. 1Šariš Breweryen.wikipedia.org