Velkopopovický Kozel
A Czech lager brand from Velké Popovice, recognized for its goat emblem and range of pale, dark, mixed and non-alcoholic beers.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Velkopopovický Kozel is a Czech beer brand produced at the brewery in Velké Popovice, a town southeast of Prague. Its modern brewing history began in the nineteenth century, although the locality has older brewing references and the first batch associated with the modern Kozel brewery was produced in 1874. The brewery itself was built in 1875 after the enterprise was acquired and developed by František Ringhoffer, an industrialist and mayor of Smíchov. The brand name comes from the Czech word “kozel,” meaning male goat. The goat became the defining visual symbol of the beer after the First World War, when the brewery was competing in a crowded Czech brewing market and sought a distinctive identity. A French painter visiting Velké Popovice is credited with creating an early goat emblem in gratitude for the hospitality he received; the symbol was introduced in 1922 and subsequently became central to the label and brand story. The association was reinforced by the German word “bock,” historically used for a strong dark beer and also associated with a goat. The brewery experienced disruption during both world wars. Production continued during the First World War under restrictions and with limited innovation, followed by renewed growth during the interwar period. The Second World War created additional difficulties, particularly in obtaining brewing materials. After the war, the brewery was nationalized and faced labor shortages. In 1951, management responded by employing women, and women remained a substantial part of the workforce for many years; bottling was described as being exclusively handled by women during part of this period. In 1965, Kozel became associated with an early tank-beer distribution innovation when it delivered beer in tank trucks, helping establish a tradition of serving beer from tanks in pubs. Following the end of the socialist period, the brewery regained independence in 1991 and became a public limited company in 1992. The business later entered a larger brewing group. Kozel and Radegast were acquired in 2002 by Pilsner Urquell, then part of SABMiller. In 2016, the brand was transferred to Asahi Breweries as part of SABMiller’s divestment of assets required in connection with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller and related competition remedies. The brand is now part of Asahi Group’s international beer portfolio. Velkopopovický Kozel’s portfolio includes pale beers of different strengths, dark lager, a blend of pale and dark beer, a premium-style pale lager, a stronger dark lager and a non-alcoholic variant. The Czech range includes Kozel 10, Kozel 11, Kozel Černý, Kozel Řezaný, Kozel Mistrův Ležák, Kozel Mistrův Tmavý and Kozel Nealko. Kozel 11 entered the market in 2005. The beers are sold in the Czech Republic and exported to roughly thirty countries, with licensed production reported in several markets including Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, Ukraine and Turkey. The brewery also maintains a visitor-facing goat tradition: live goats have been kept at the site since the 1930s, and goats have traditionally been given the name Olda after an early caregiver. This mascot and brewery-tourism element remain important parts of the brand’s identity.
History
The brewing tradition associated with Velké Popovice predates the modern brand, with historical references to brewing in the locality reaching back to the fourteenth century. The present brewery developed during the nineteenth century. František Ringhoffer, a wealthy industrialist and mayor of Smíchov, acquired the declining enterprise after a period of disputes and helped establish a modern brewery. The first Kozel beer was brewed in 1874, while the brewery buildings were completed in 1875. The brewery survived the First World War while operating under restrictions and with limited opportunity for innovation. It expanded again during the interwar period, but the Second World War brought further production controls and shortages of essential raw materials. After the war, the brewery was nationalized. A shortage of available workers led management in 1951 to recruit women, who subsequently formed a large part of the workforce; bottling was for a period carried out entirely by women. In 1965, Kozel delivered beer in tank trucks, an innovation associated with the development of tank-serving pubs and an enduring aspect of Czech beer service. The goat identity emerged after the First World War. “Kozel” means male goat in Czech, while bock, a style historically connected with dark and strong beer, also has a goat-related meaning in German. To distinguish the brewery in a competitive market, the owners developed a strong dark beer and adopted the goat as its emblem. Brand tradition attributes the original drawing to a French painter who visited the town and responded to local hospitality. The goat emblem was introduced in 1922. In the 1930s, the brewery added a live goat as a visitor attraction. Later goats were traditionally named Olda after an early caretaker, creating a continuing mascot tradition. After the political and economic changes at the end of the socialist period, the brewery became independent in 1991 and was reorganized as a public limited company in 1992. In 2002, Kozel and Radegast were acquired by Pilsner Urquell, which belonged to SABMiller. The brand subsequently became part of SABMiller’s international brewing portfolio. In 2016, SABMiller sold the brand to Asahi Breweries as part of the asset divestments associated with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s takeover of SABMiller and the need to address competition concerns. The modern range includes pale beers, dark lager, a blend of pale and dark beers, premium-style lagers and a non-alcoholic beer. Kozel is distributed internationally in approximately thirty countries, with licensed production reported in Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, Ukraine and Turkey. The brand’s marketing continues to rely on its Czech origin, brewery heritage, approachable lager portfolio and distinctive goat imagery.
- 2016
Transferred to Asahi
[1]Asahi acquired Kozel from SABMiller as part of the regulatory divestment process connected with the AB InBev–SABMiller transaction.
- 2005
Kozel 11 introduced
[1]The Kozel 11 pale lager entered the market.
- 2002
Acquired by SABMiller
[1]Kozel and Radegast were acquired by Pilsner Urquell, then part of SABMiller.
- 1992
Became a public limited company
[1]The brewery was reorganized as a public limited company.
- 1991
Brewery regained independence
[1]The brewery became independent after the post-socialist restructuring of the Czech economy.
- 1965
Tank-truck beer delivery
[1]Kozel delivered beer in tank trucks, helping establish the tradition of tank beer in pubs.
- 1930
Live-goat brewery tradition established
[1]The brewery began keeping a live goat as a visitor attraction, a tradition that continued through subsequent generations.
- 1922
Goat emblem introduced
[1]The goat symbol was introduced as the brand’s visual emblem and later became a defining part of its packaging and identity.
- 1875
Modern brewery built
[1]The brewery in Velké Popovice was built after František Ringhoffer acquired and developed the local brewing enterprise.
- 1874
First Kozel beer brewed
[1]The first batch associated with the modern Velkopopovický Kozel brewery was brewed in Velké Popovice.
Products and positioning
A traditional Czech beer brand positioned around local brewing heritage, approachable lager styles, the Velké Popovice brewery and its memorable goat mascot. Its range spans everyday pale and dark beers, stronger premium lagers and a non-alcoholic option.
Pale draught beer
Kozel 10
A pale draught beer in the brewery’s lower-strength range. It is identified as a 10° beer and has an alcohol content of approximately 4.2% ABV. The product represents Kozel’s accessible, everyday Czech lager style.
Pale lager · 2005
Kozel 11
A pale lager identified as an 11° beer, with approximately 4.6% ABV. Introduced in 2005, it is positioned between the lighter draught style and the brand’s stronger premium lager offerings.
Dark draught beer
Kozel Černý
Kozel’s dark beer, commonly presented as a dark draught lager. It has approximately 3.8% ABV and is central to the brand’s historical association with dark, strong beer and the goat symbolism behind the Kozel name.
Mixed lager
Kozel Řezaný
A blend of pale and dark Kozel lagers. The mixed style combines characteristics of the brand’s light and dark beers and is listed at approximately 4.6% ABV.
Pale lager
Kozel Mistrův Ležák
A stronger 12° pale lager with approximately 4.8% ABV. The product serves as a more premium expression of Kozel’s pale lager style while retaining the brand’s Czech brewery identity.
Dark lager
Kozel Mistrův Tmavý
A dark lager with approximately 4.4% ABV. It extends the brand’s dark-beer heritage into a stronger and more premium-oriented format than the standard dark draught beer.
Non-alcoholic beer
Kozel Nealko
A non-alcoholic beer designed for occasions when consumers want a Kozel-style beer without standard alcoholic strength. It is reported as containing no more than 0.5% ABV.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Kozel Space Beer Stunt
Russia
A Russian viral advertising activation sent canned Kozel beer into space and later released it by parachute. The stunt was recorded and distributed online to generate attention around the brand. The event became a widely circulated viral promotion.
Outcome. The event became a widely circulated viral promotion.
Brand decisions
2016
Transfer to AsahiM&ABackground
The sale followed Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller and asset divestments intended to address global antitrust and competition requirements.
Action taken
Asahi Breweries acquired Velkopopovický Kozel from SABMiller.
Aftermath
The brand became part of Asahi Group’s international beer business.
2005
Launch of Kozel 11Product launchBackground
The brand expanded its pale lager range beyond its established draught and dark-beer formats.
Action taken
Kozel introduced the 11° pale lager, listed at approximately 4.6% ABV.
Aftermath
Kozel 11 became one of the brand’s principal pale lager offerings.
2002
Join the SABMiller portfolioM&ABackground
The brewery and its brands entered a period of consolidation in the international brewing industry.
Action taken
Kozel and Radegast were acquired by Pilsner Urquell, then owned by SABMiller.
Aftermath
Kozel became part of SABMiller’s international beer portfolio until its later transfer to Asahi.
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