Kotayk Brewery
An Armenian brewery founded during the Soviet period and based in Abovyan, Kotayk Province.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Kotayk Brewery is an Armenian brewing company based in Abovyan in Kotayk Province. It was established in 1974 as a state-owned enterprise under the government of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. The plant began with limited production capacity, and large-scale brewing commenced in 1978 after the installation and completion of its full equipment base. Its origins therefore place it among Armenia's industrial breweries developed during the Soviet era, while its later ownership history reflects the country's transition to a market economy after independence. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, businessman Gagik Tsarukyan took control of the brewery in 1995. Under his ownership, the company produced beer under the Kotayk and Artsakh brands. In 1997, the French Castel Group became the brewery's major shareholder through a reported US$17 million investment, described in the reference material as one of the earliest foreign investments in Armenia. Castel's involvement brought the brewery into an international beverage group while retaining its Armenian production base and local brand identity. The ownership structure changed again in 2006, when Tsarukyan sold his 29% stake to Castel Group for a reported US$4 million. In June 2011, the brewery was sold back to Tsarukyan's Multi Group Concern and became a limited liability company. A further change occurred on 11 February 2022, when 100% of the factory's shares were transferred in a commercial transaction to Arash Nosratialamdari and Garik Mkrtchyan. The two buyers became equal owners, each holding 50%. Kotayk Brewery's documented portfolio includes six beer varieties: Kotayk Gold, Kotayk Lager, Kotayk Tshani, Erebuni Strong, Erebuni, and Urartu. The range combines products carrying the Kotayk name with beers using historical or culturally resonant Armenian names such as Erebuni and Urartu. Listed alcohol content ranges from 4% for Urartu to 6.4% for Erebuni Strong. The available reference material does not establish the brewery's current production volumes, export footprint, financial performance, employee count, or detailed distribution network. Its clearly documented market is Armenia, and its primary positioning is as a domestic Armenian beer producer with Soviet-era industrial roots and a portfolio built around recognizable local brand names.
History
Kotayk Brewery was founded in 1974 in Abovyan, Kotayk Province, as a state-owned industrial enterprise of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. The facility initially operated on a limited scale. After the brewery's complete equipment installation, it entered large-scale production in 1978. This development placed Kotayk within the Soviet-era system of regional food and beverage manufacturing, with Abovyan serving as the company's long-term production base. The brewery's ownership changed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1995, Gagik Tsarukyan took over the company and expanded its commercial identity around the Kotayk and Artsakh beer brands. Two years later, in 1997, Castel Group acquired a major shareholding through a reported US$17 million investment. The transaction was significant in the brewery's history because it connected an established Armenian producer with a large international beverage group and was characterized in the reference material as one of the earliest foreign investments made in Armenia. The relationship between Tsarukyan and Castel developed further in March 2006, when Tsarukyan sold his 29% stake to Castel Group for a reported US$4 million. Castel thereby increased its control of the brewery. The company later changed hands again in June 2011, when it was sold back to Tsarukyan's Multi Group Concern. At that point, Kotayk Brewery became a limited liability company, marking another stage in its transition from a Soviet state enterprise to a privately controlled Armenian company. A complete ownership transfer took place on 11 February 2022. Gagik Tsarukyan completed the sale of the factory, transferring all of its shares to Arash Nosratialamdari and Garik Mkrtchyan. The buyers became equal owners, each holding 50%. The available source does not provide further detail about subsequent management, production investment, or corporate restructuring. The brewery's documented production range consists of six beers. Kotayk Gold has an alcohol content of 4.7%, while Kotayk Lager is listed at 4.2% and Kotayk Tshani at 4.5%. The Erebuni line comprises Erebuni Strong at 6.4% and Erebuni at 4.7%. Urartu is listed at 4%. The names draw on Armenian cultural and historical associations while covering standard lager-style offerings and a stronger beer variant. The source material identifies Armenia as the relevant operating market but does not establish the scale of exports or the current geographic reach of distribution. Kotayk Brewery's history is consequently defined by three overlapping characteristics: an industrial foundation in the Soviet period, repeated changes between Armenian and international private ownership after independence, and continued use of local brand and historical naming. Information available in the supplied references is insufficient to document current executives beyond the recorded owners, recent marketing campaigns, financial results, or detailed manufacturing technology.
- 2022
Full sale to new owners
[1]All shares were transferred to Arash Nosratialamdari and Garik Mkrtchyan, who became equal owners.
- 2011
Ownership returns to Multi Group Concern
[1]The brewery was sold back to Gagik Tsarukyan's Multi Group Concern and became a limited liability company.
- 2006
Tsarukyan stake sold to Castel
[1]Gagik Tsarukyan sold his 29% share to Castel Group for a reported US$4 million.
- 1997
Castel Group becomes a major shareholder
[1]Castel Group invested a reported US$17 million and became a major shareholder.
- 1995
Gagik Tsarukyan takes control
[1]Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Gagik Tsarukyan took over the brewery and produced beer under the Kotayk and Artsakh brands.
- 1978
Large-scale production begins
[1]After the brewery's full equipment was completed, it began large-scale production.
- 1974
Brewery founded
[1]Kotayk Brewery was established in Abovyan as a state-owned enterprise of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Products and positioning
A domestic Armenian brewery combining a long-established Abovyan production base with mainstream lager and stronger beer varieties sold under Kotayk and historically resonant Armenian names.
Beer
Kotayk Gold
A Kotayk-branded beer listed with an alcohol content of 4.7%. The supplied reference does not provide further information about its recipe, packaging, launch date, or distribution.
Lager beer
Kotayk Lager
A lager in the brewery's core Kotayk range, listed with an alcohol content of 4.2%. Additional details about ingredients, formats, and market performance are not established by the supplied sources.
Beer
Kotayk Tshani
A Kotayk-branded beer listed at 4.5% alcohol by volume. The available reference identifies the product but does not describe its style or commercial positioning in greater detail.
Strong beer
Erebuni Strong
The stronger member of the documented Erebuni range, with an alcohol content of 6.4%. Its name refers to Erebuni, an important historical name associated with Armenia, but the source does not provide detailed product or packaging information.
Beer
Erebuni
A beer in the Erebuni line, listed with an alcohol content of 4.7%. The supplied material does not specify its precise beer style, launch date, or sales markets beyond the brewery's Armenian market.
Beer
Urartu
A beer named after Urartu, the ancient kingdom associated with the Armenian highlands, and listed with an alcohol content of 4%. Further information about its formulation and distribution is not available in the supplied reference.
Brand decisions
2022
Complete transfer to new private ownersM&ABackground
The brewery underwent another ownership transition after its period under Multi Group Concern.
Action taken
On 11 February 2022, 100% of the factory's shares were sold to Arash Nosratialamdari and Garik Mkrtchyan.
Aftermath
Nosratialamdari and Mkrtchyan became equal owners, each holding 50% of the company.
2011
Sale back to Multi Group ConcernM&ABackground
After Castel Group's major-shareholder period and the 2006 transfer of Tsarukyan's stake, ownership of the brewery changed again.
Action taken
The brewery was sold back to Gagik Tsarukyan's Multi Group Concern and reorganized as a limited liability company.
Aftermath
Control returned to Tsarukyan's business group; the supplied source does not describe subsequent operational effects.
1997
Accepting Castel Group investmentM&ABackground
After the brewery's post-Soviet transition into private ownership, Castel Group invested in the company and became a major shareholder.
Action taken
The company accepted a reported US$17 million investment from Castel Group.
Aftermath
The transaction connected Kotayk Brewery with an international beverage group and made Castel a major shareholder.
Investment. US$17 million (1997)
Sources1 sources
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