Pivovar Krásné Březno

Pivovar Krásné Březno, also known as Pivovar Zlatopramen, was a Czech brewery located in Krásné Březno, a district of Ústí nad Labem. It was part of the Drinks Union group and produced the Zlatopramen beer brand until 2011. The brewery's history dates back to at least 1510, with a documented brewery on the Březnice estate. In 1867, a new brewery was built by JUDr. Russ, and in 1893 it was acquired by the Spolek právovárečného měšťanstva (Association of Brewing Citizens), forming a joint-stock company with 84 shareholders. The brewery gained prominence, earning the title of imperial court supplier in 1903 and producing numerous beer styles. In 1967, the Zlatopramen brand was registered. After privatization in 1992, it became part of Akciová společnost Ústecké pivovary, and in 1997, the subsidiary Drinks Union was founded. In 2008, the brewery became part of the Heineken concern. Due to the deteriorating condition of the building and efforts to increase efficiency, Heineken ceased production at Krásné Březno on 10 November 2011, transferring production to the nearby Velké Březno brewery. The Zlatopramen brand continues to be maintained and brewed by other breweries within the Heineken group. At its peak, the brewery employed approximately 250 people and had an annual output of 270,000 hl in 2001. The last director was Libor Čech, who had been head brewer since 2007.

The history of brewing in Krásné Březno dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1249, King Wenceslaus I granted brewing rights to the town of Ústí, and in 1349, Emperor Charles IV confirmed these rights. A 1510 supply contract confirms the existence of a brewery on the Březnice estate (Krásné Březno). By 1642, a noble brewery existed in Krásné Březno. In 1867, the new owner of the estate, JUDr. Russ, built a new brewery. In 1893, the brewery was acquired by the Spolek právovárečného měšťanstva (Association of Brewing Citizens), and 84 brewing citizens established a joint-stock company. In 1901, Emperor Franz Joseph I visited Ústí nad Labem. In 1903, the brewery obtained the right to use the imperial eagle and the title 'court supplier'. From 1904 to 1906, English King Edward VII, during his stays in Mariánské Lázně, drank exclusively the Ústí Kaiser-Bier. In 1909, brewer Bedřich Spalek conducted an inspection tour of customers in the USA; output was 86,000 hl. By 1913, the brewery was producing and selling at least 16 beer brands, including Kaiser-Bier, Victoria, Ústecké měšťanské, Albis, 22° Ústecký Porter, 14° Regenerátor, 10° Bock, 12° Doppelbock, 11° Ležák, and 12° Exportní. In 1930, a bottling line with a capacity of 5,000 bottles per hour was installed. In 1931, a new brewhouse was installed, which remained in use until closure. In 1945, the property was confiscated by the state and placed under national administration. In 1961, wooden lager vessels were replaced with metal tanks. In 1967, the Zlatopramen brand was registered. In 1975, plastic bottle crates were introduced. In 1992, the brewery was privatized into Akciová společnost Ústecké pivovary. In 1997, the subsidiary Drinks Union was founded. In 2001, the brewery's output was 270,000 hl. In 2008, the brewery became part of the Heineken concern. In 2011, due to the technical condition of the building, Heineken ended beer production at this brewery on 10 November; the Zlatopramen brand continues to be maintained and brewed by other breweries in the concern. The last director was Libor Čech (born 1975), who had overseen quality as head brewer since March 2007. He had worked in breweries of the Drinks Union group since the age of 16 and had experience in all brewing operations, trained by former brewers of the Velké Březno brewery, Jana Rostová and Jiří Rottenborn.

• 2011

  Heineken ends beer production at the brewery on 10 November; the Zlatopramen brand continues to be brewed by other breweries in the concern.

• 2008

  The brewery becomes part of the Heineken concern.

• 2001

  The brewery's output is 270,000 hl.

• 1997

  The subsidiary Drinks Union is founded.

• 1992

  The brewery is privatized into Akciová společnost Ústecké pivovary.

• 1975

  Plastic bottle crates are introduced.

• 1967

  The Zlatopramen brand is registered.

• 1961

  Wooden lager vessels are replaced with metal tanks.

• 1945

  Property is confiscated by the state and placed under national administration.

• 1931

  A new brewhouse is installed, which remains in use until closure.

• 1930

  A bottling line with a capacity of 5,000 bottles per hour is installed.

• 1913

  The brewery produces and sells at least 16 beer brands.

• 1909

  Brewer Bedřich Spalek conducts an inspection tour of customers in the USA; output is 86,000 hl.

• 1904

  English King Edward VII drinks exclusively Ústí Kaiser-Bier during his stays in Mariánské Lázně (until 1906).

• 1903

  The brewery obtains the right to use the imperial eagle and the title 'court supplier'.

• 1901

  Emperor Franz Joseph I visits Ústí nad Labem.

• 1893

  The brewery is acquired by the Spolek právovárečného měšťanstva; 84 brewing citizens establish a joint-stock company.

• 1867

  New owner JUDr. Russ builds a new brewery.

• 1642

  A noble brewery exists in Krásné Březno.

• 1510

  A supply contract confirms the existence of a brewery on the Březnice estate (Krásné Březno).

• King Wenceslaus I grants brewing rights to the town of Ústí.

• Emperor Charles IV confirms the town's rights.

Traditional Czech brewery brand, known for Zlatopramen, positioned as a regional beer with historical significance.

• Zlatopramen 11°

  A Czech lager beer.

• Zlatopramen 12°

  A Czech lager beer.

• Zlatopramen 11° tmavý

  A dark lager beer.

• Zlatopramen světlé výčepní

  A light draught beer.

1. 1Zlatopramen official websitezlatopramen.cz
2. 2Pivovar Krásné Březno - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Pivovar Krásné Březno - Czech Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org