Prazdroj Brewing operations in full swing

“Beer production for summer stock is in full swing. Our weekly output is now up to 180 brews, consuming over 2,000 tons of malt, which is one-third to one-half more than the winter production,” says Pavel Semik, the Pilsen Plant Manager, who adds that “the weekly capacity of the Pilsen brewery is some 140,000 hectolitres, at maximum, since beer must be given its due time. The fermentation and maturation times have been maintained in line with the traditional recipes. Our beer must be of consistent quality, no matter whether it’s the summer or winter.”

The bottling lines of the largest Czech brewery have a throughput of 134,000 bottles per hour and can run up to 150 hours a week, in four shifts. In hot weather and with increased consumer demand, Pilsen can put out nearly 11 million half-litre bottles, plus about 1 million 0.33 litre bottles and over 110 thousand fifty-litre kegs a week, as was the case in the record month of July last year.

In summer, all storage facilities, including several external warehouses, must be used to the full, a sufficient quantity of containers must be provided and container turnover must be carefully managed. In total, the breweries of Plzensky Prazdroj will be using over one million crates, 210,000 kegs and 21 million bottles a week.

The three breweries of Plzensky Prazdroj are capable of brewing 235,000 hectolitres of beer a week.

Notes for editors:

• With total sales of over 10.7 million hectolitres in the calendar year 2008 (including licensed production abroad) and exports to more than 50 countries around the world, Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s., is a major beer producer in the region and the largest exporter of Czech beer.
• Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s. is a member of the global group SABMiller plc. Pilsner Urquell is the international flagship of the SABMiller brand portfolio.
• SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers, with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents.

Contact:
Jiri Marecek
Manager external communication
724 617 219

Pilsen