Czech Republic & Sweden: Gambrinus beer gaining in popularity in Sweden

Gambrinus, the favourite Czech beer, is gaining in popularity among Swedish consumers, brewer Plzeňský Prazdroj communicated on March, 10.

Last year Swedes drank close to 10,000 hectolitres of Gambrinus beer, which represents close to 2 million beers. More than two thirds of the total amount of beer consumed came from Swedish pubs.

Gambrinus is distributed on the Swedish market as a premium beer. In comparison with 1996, the total amount of beer consumed increased more than twofold in 2009, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the upcoming years. Swedes prefer beer on tap to beer in a bottle, so two thirds of beer is on tap. The biggest customer for Gambrinus beer is the Swedish chain of pubs The Bishop Arms, which serves their Swedish regulars mainly Gambrinus 12%. Gambrinus is also distributed to about a hundred other pubs and stores.

"Sweden is one of the most important countries of export for Gambrinus," says Jiří Rákosník, Senior Brand Manager of the Gambrinus brand. "The 12% has found its home, so to speak, in the north. That is due to its composition and its taste," adds Rákosník.

With total sales of 10.5 million hectolitres in the calendar year 2009 (including licensed production abroad) and with export to more than 50 countries around the world, SABMiller’s Czech unit Plzeňský Prazdroj is the leading producer of beer in the region and the biggest exporter of Czech beer.

12 March, 2010