E-Malt.com News article: The Czech Republic: Radegast officially granted the registered name Czech beer

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) confirmed that the Radegast brand can use the registered geographical name Czech beer, the brand’s owner SABMiller plc communicated on December, 1.

CAFIA awarded the certification based on an audit and a series of checks, which took place directly in the Radegast brewery. This document proves that the most popular beer in Moravia represents the high-quality Czech beer industry.

The term "Czech beer" is officially protected as a geographical name, which is registered by the European Commission, based on the demands of the Czech union of breweries and malt plants.

"Registration of the name by the European Commission is, without a doubt, a big international success for the Czech beer industry, and it will help with the preservation of the Czech beer phenomenon in its traditional conception. That is why we asked a certification body to confirm the right to use it," says Ivo Kaňák, manager of the Radegast brewery.

Two thirds of beer consumed around the world is Pilsner beer. In comparison with foreign lagers, the Czech Pilsner is unique. It distinguishes itself by a larger amount of the residue (unfermented) extract, by a lighter colour, higher pH, and by a larger amount of polyphenols. Lower beer fermentation means less alcohol in beer.

Radegast beer is produced by Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s., is a member of the SABMiller PLC Pilsner Urquell global group.

With total sales of 10.7 million hectolitres in the 2008 calendar year (including licenced production abroad) and with export to more than 50 countries, Plzeňský Prazdroj is the biggest producer of beer in the region and the biggest exporter of Czech beer.


02 December, 2009