Budweiser Budvar Brewery

Overview

Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik

trade name	Budweiser Budvar Brewery
former name	Czech Joint-Stock Brewery (1895–1930) Budvar-Czech Joint-Stock Brewery České Budějovice (1930–1967)
type	State-owned enterprise
industry	Alcoholic beverages and brewing
foundation	1895
hq location	Karolíny Světlé 512/4
location city	České Budějovice
key people	Petr Dvořák (CEO) Adam Brož (brewmaster)
products	Lager varieties, such as pale lager, dunkel and eisbock
production	1.6 million hL of beer (2015)
revenue	CZK 2,470 million (2015)
operating income	CZK 349.8 million (2015)
num employees	653 (2015)
location country	Czech Republic
homepage	https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/

Budweiser Budvar is a brewery in the Czech city of České Budějovice, best known for its original Budweiser or Budweiser Budvar pale lager brewed using artesian water, Moravian barley and Saaz hops.[1][2] Budweiser Budvar is the fourth largest beer producer in the Czech Republic and the second largest exporter of beer abroad.[3]

The state-owned brewery and its Budweiser pale lager have been engaged in a trademark dispute with Anheuser-Busch over the right to market and sell the beer under the name Budweiser since the start of the 20th century, and consequently is imported as Czechvar in some countries. The brewery is incorporated as Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik ("Budweiser Budvar, national enterprise").

History

Budweiser Budvar

Production

Budweiser Budvar beer is produced in the brewery at České Budějovice, drawing artesian water from wells beneath it, with Moravian barley and Saaz hops, known as a noble hop variety, from the Žatec region.[1] It is matured for a minimum of 90 days, contrasted with 72 hours of lagering (maturation) for mass-market beers.[2] In 2004, the European Union awarded Budweiser Budvar Protected Geographical Indication status.[2] Budweiser is the brewery's "signature product" and a "symbol of national pride".[6] The drinks reviewer Michael Jackson said the following of the company's lager in 2002:"Budweiser Budvar is a great beer because it has great raw materials and great brewers. They produce it in a slow and painstaking way. Its integrity is best served by its being produced in its town of origin, in a region with pride in its beer.[12]" In 1990, the company brewed 450,000 hectolitres (59,000 cu. yd.) of beer a year and exported to 18 countries; in 2013, 1.42 million hectolitres (185,000 cu. yd.) and 66 countries; and in 2015, 1.6 million hectolitres (210,000 cu. yd.) and 76 countries, respectively.[2][13][14] It is the most bought foreign beer in Germany, selling approximately 290,000 hectolitres (38,000 cu. yd.) in 2016,[1] and the best selling Czech beer in the United Kingdom.[15]

Trademark dispute

Budweiser Budvar Brewery and the American brewery Anheuser-Busch have been engaged in an ongoing trademark dispute over the name Budweiser since the start of the 20th century. In 1939, only one week before the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, Budweiser Budvar agreed to concede exclusive rights to the American brewery in the United States area.[16] During World War II and the Cold War, Budweiser Budvar was unable to compete with then independent Anheuser-Busch. In 1994, then CEO of Budweiser Budvar, Jiří Boček, decided not to sign a trademark agreement with the American brewery to divide their territory across the world.[13] On 29 July 2010, Anheuser-Busch lost its last-instance appeal in the European Court of Justice, meaning it may not register the name Budweiser as a European Union trademark for beer.[17]

Consequently Budweiser Budvar beer is imported as "Czechvar" in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines and the United States[18]

Beers

The company brews different types of lager:[20] Additionally, Budweiser Budvar brewery produces beer under the Pardál brand.[21]

Classic, a pale draught beer with 4.0% ABV (in Czech: 10° or Výčepní).
Original, 90-day matured pale lager and flagship of the brand, marketed as a premium lager, contains 5.0% ABV (in Czech: 12° or Ležák).
Dark, a dark lager with Munich, caramel and roasted malt and 4.7% ABV (in Czech: Tmavé).
Special, the original pale lager with added cultures of yeast (krausened lager) and 5.0% ABV (in Czech: Kroužkovaný ležák).
Cvikl, an unfiltered yeast pale lager with 4.0% ABV (in Czech: Nefiltrované, zwickel).
Strong, a strong pale lager matured for 200 days, contains 7.5% ABV (in Czech: 16° or Speciál).

Budweiser Budvar Brewery

History

1265–1895

1895–present