Sweden & Czech Republic: Budvar signs sales, marketing deal with Carlsberg Sverige AB

Breweries Budějovický Budvar National Corporation and Carlsberg Sverige AB have signed an agreement concerning the sales and marketing of Budějovický Budvar beer in Sweden, which will be effective from April 1st, Budvar announced in its press release on March 19.

The enrichment of the Swedish beer culture is part of Carlsberg's strategy. Carlsberg's premium portfolio will contain special products from around the world – from China in the East to the USA in the West, from modern & trendy to traditional & classic trademarks, from light refreshing beer to dark and (heavy) strong types. Today the portfolio already contains several international premium and speciality beers, such as Leffe, Hoegaarden, Brooklyn, Spaten, Bass and Löwenbrau.

“We are very proud to provide the Swedish market with the tradition-rich Budvar. An important part of the Carlsberg strategy includes enriching Sweden's beer culture with high-quality local and foreign beers; and Budvar is a refreshing Czech element in our portfolio. So-called speciality beers and international premium beers are a growing trend both in Sweden and internationally”, says Stig Sunde, Carlsberg Sweden’s CEO.

“The Swedish market has a great potential for Budvar. Although starting from a fairly low level, we are looking forward to an increasing market share. Carlsberg Sverige is the best partner for us with its excellent combination of passion for beer and a unique business model in sales, marketing and distribution”, says Budějovický Budvar's CEO, Jiří Boček.

Founded in 1895, the Budějovický Budvar brewery is located in České Budějovice, a town in the southern part of the country in a region whose beer brewing traditions extend back over 700 years. Budějovický Budvar is a state-owned company. Over 50% of the brewery’s annual production of more than one hundred million litres is exported. The brewery is known by the brand name Budějovický Budvar in Sweden. All Budvar beers are produced in České Budějovice, ensuring complete taste enjoyment for their drinkers anywhere in the world.

Consumers in Sweden have grown fond of the Czech beers, whose flavours edged with a tangy hopiness make them easily approachable for those used to Swedish lagers.

Budějovický Budvar Premium Lager, a light Czech lager, is a golden-coloured, flavourful lager beer with a typically thick and dense head. It is made with Moravian malt, whole Zatec (Saaz) hops and water taken from artesian wells located 320 metres underground. Malt and aromatic hops can be discerned in Budějovický Budvar Premium Lager’s aroma. Its malty flavour is balanced by a mildly dry bitterness. The beer represents the Czech lager tradition at its best. It is a solid choice that goes well with almost all kinds of food.

Carlsberg is Sweden’s leading beverage business with strong international & local beverage brands. The company develops, produces and sells beer, mineral water and soft drinks and also distributes an extensive selection of wines. Carlsberg's success comes from combining the strongest brands with a high level of proficiency backed up by almost 300 years of solid experience. The company takes pride in continuous development work, creating a selection of high-quality beverages diversified to satisfy consumer preferences.
Carlsberg Sweden has two plants; one specialized on beer & one on water. Carlsberg, Pripps Blå, Falcon, Ramlösa, Pepsi and Schweppes are some of the top brands in the portfolio.
Carlsberg Sweden is part of the international Carlsberg Breweries Group, which operates in more than 40 countries.

Budějovický Budvar National Corporation brewery, based in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, has long been one of the most successful Czech companies in the food and drink industry. Thanks to its gradual and goal-oriented expansion into foreign markets and the strengthening of sales on the domestic market, the brewery managed to achieve a significant position in the beer market both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Based on the volume of exported beer, the original Czech premium lager brewed by Budějovický Budvar is one of the best-selling Czech beers abroad. This beer has been awarded numerous medals and diplomas from domestic and foreign quality competitions. Today Budějovický Budvar exports nearly half of its output to more than 50 countries on five continents.

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