Czech Republic: Czech beer makers brewed 3.74 million hl of beer in Q1 2005

Beer production in the Czech Republic decreased by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. Czech beer makers brewed 3.74 million hl of beer in Q1 2005, according to Czech Association of brewers. Czech beer production is expected to increase slightly in 2005 and according to experts should be supported mainly by beer exports. In 2005 beer exports of the Czech Republic are forecast to rise by about 10% compared to 2004.

Czech breweries produced about 18.75 million hl of beer during 2004, 1.1 % up compared to 2003. Beer production for the domestic market decreased in 2004 compared to 2003 but the volume of beer exports rose by 25 % to 2.64 million hl during the same period.

The Czech Republic is a country of 10 million people with 1.2 million living in the capital, Prague. And Czechs are serious pivo (beer) drinkers. Beer is part of the Czech national identity, which is why it is ranked the top beer-consuming nation in the world at 160 liters annually per man, woman and child.

04 May, 2005