New Zealand: Beck’s now brewed under licence in New Zealand

Famous Beck’s beer is now being made in New Zealand by Lion Breweries instead of being imported from its home in Germany, Otago Daily Times communicated on September, 23.

The local brew is already on tap, and it is now replacing the bottled beer on retail shelves.

The only perceivable difference between the two will be freshness, and the fact that a new label says it is made under licence in New Zealand.

Beck's is made in 13 other countries, including China.

Besides Beck’s, other international brands are produced under licence in New Zealand. Lion has produced Stella Artois here for the past nine years, and Kilkenny and Guinness for 18 years. Independent Breweries produces the Danish Carlsberg and Tuborg brands, and DB produces the Dutch Amstel and Heineken brands.

Beck's owner, Belgium-based AB InBev (which also owns the Stella Artois, Budweiser and Hoegaarden brands, among others) provided the all-important yeast which gives a beer its distinctive flavour, and the same German hops are being used.

Beck's is a relatively pale brew, and the biggest problem has been to find a New Zealand malt which produces the required light hue.

In the meantime, Australian malt is being imported.

The same light green bottle is being used and, like most beer bottles, it is being imported.

23 September, 2009