The most famous Czech beer, Pilsner Urquell, brewed since 1843 only in the West Bohemian city of Pilsen, Czechia, will be produced under license in Poland by SABMiller’s Czech subsidiary Plzenský Prazdroj.

"The licensed production is a step in the long-term strategy to build Pilsner Urquell as one of the brands of choice world-wide. As professional tests confirmed, the quality of licensed beer is identical with the original Pilsner. Beer is produced using the same process as in Pilsen," the company said in a statement.

Demand for beer is rising in Eastern Europe. SAB's Czech and Polish beer sales rose 8 percent combined in the last three months, the company said. The Czech Republic is the world's leading beer consumer, averaging 160 liters per capita per year.

12 September, 2002