Pivovar Velke Popovice celebrates its 131st anniversary. It is now the third largest brewery in the Czech Republic

To celebrate its 131st anniversary, Pivovar Velke Popovice gradually handed out gifts, both to itself and other people. During 2005 it reinforced its position as the third largest brewery in the Czech Republic. It is one of the major breweries whose output increases in double-digit figures and today it is approaching the 1.5 million hectolitre mark. Velkopopovicky Kozel beer dominated in many domestic and international competitions of quality. The brewery opened a new visitor route and renewed the historic brewery courtyard. The Velkopopovicky Kozel brand launched a new product – 11° Medium – and after Russia and Slovakia also started up licensed production in Hungary. The history of the brewery and its plans for the future were the subject of discussion at the celebrations of the 131st anniversary of the first brew in the Velke Popovice brewery, which took place at the weekend. 

„We are glad that our brewery is able to add another successful link to a long and rich tradition. This motivates us to work even harder, and during the year the brewery succeeded in implementing several important measures. We expanded the Velkopopovicky Kozel portfolio to include the 11° Medium. Output continues to rise – during 2005 this increased by more than 17 % and we are getting near the historic mark of 1.5 million hectolitres of beer a year. In the Czech Republic we continue to strengthen our position as the third-largest Czech brewery, behind Pilsen and Radegast. Our beer is also very successful abroad: due to ever growing exports and above all licensed production, Velkopopovicky Kozel is now the best-selling Czech beer outside the Czech Republic. The confidence of experts and consumers in the beer’s quality is confirmed among other things by the titles of Czech beer of the year, Dark beer of the year and the prizes that Velkopopovicky Kozel has won at the international competition Monde Selection in Brussels,“ said Pavel Semik, manager of the Velke Popovice brewery.

„We are gradually reconstructing and modifying the brewery. In the summer, for example, we reconstructed the historic brewery courtyard according to the original plans and opened the new visitor route, which could be viewed by people attending the traditional June Kozel Day. We are conscious of the connection between the brewery and the region, and as a result are investing not only in developing technology and quality but also in environmental projects, for example water treatment plants, in which we have invested CZK 50 million alone. We also provide significant support to publicly beneficial activities for the Velke Popovice municipality,“ added Pavel Semik.

More information:

Alexej Bechtin, press officer Plzensky Prazdroj, tel.: 257 287 209, 724 617 219
Radim Kovacs, AMI Communications, tel.: 234 124 112, 724 012 617

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  Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s., is the Czech market leader and, with exports to 50 countries worldwide is also the biggest exporter of Czech beer. Plzensky Prazdroj is part of the international brewing company SABMiller plc, one of the largest in the world, with a presence in 40 countries on four continents.


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  Velkopopovicky Kozel is a brand that holds an irreplaceable position in the Plzensky Prazdroj portfolio. It is one of the brands with the most dynamic growth, both on the Czech and international markets. Velkopopovicky Kozel dark beer is also the market larder for dark beers in the Czech Republic. Last year, Pivovar Velke Popovice celebrated the 130th anniversary of its foundation in  1874.


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  You can find up-to-date information on projects supported by the Velkopopovicky Kozel brand at www.kozel.cz.
  

Velke Popovice