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2nd January 2020

Budweiser Budvar UK Toasts a Fantastic Year for Draught Beer

Budweiser Budvar UK, Daughter Company of the Czech brewery based in Budweis, has announced a strong 2019 UK performance for draught sales.

UK Managing Director Simon George says, “with Draught beer +32% and Tankové Pivo, our Tank Beer, up +20%, 2019 has been a fantastic year. We’ve partnered again with some of the best operators in the market and welcomed new customers such as BrewDog-Draft House, Bloomsbury Leisure, and the Five Points Pembury Tavern and we’ve added 3 great new additions to the senior team.”

Nick Payne joins from BrewDog as our On-Trade Sales Director and Rich Sanna joins from C&C Group to take up the Multiple Grocer Controller role. Finally, Josh Smith has joined from Goose Island Beer Company taking on the UK Marketing Manager role.

Nick Payne says, “I am proud to join an independent brewery steeped in so much history that is still in the hands of the people of the Czech Republic and world-renowned for brewing one of the best examples of a Bohemian lager.”

Josh Smith added, “I am very much excited to soon share our plans for 2020 which include a stunning brand update and a beautiful new, bespoke glass which finally gives the beer the vehicle it deserves. 2019 has been fantastic for our brewery and 2020 looks to be even better!”

In 2019 Petr Dvořák, Managing Director of the Global business also welcomed long term supporter and award-winning beer writer Roger Protz to the brewery to present him with the rarest of honours, the Freedom of the Brewery. He is the second person in the UK to receive the esteemed award and is recognised for his support in keeping Budweiser Budvar Brewery in the hands of the Czech people.

Notes for Editor

Founded in 1895 Budweiser Budvar has brewed some of the finest examples of Czech lager in their hometown of České Budějovice. (Budweis in German) In May 2004 the brewery was awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) protection for its beers which means the brewery will only ever brew in its hometown and will only use the finest local ingredients. These include, whole cone Saaz hops from Zatech, Moravian malts, water drawn from an Artesian well located 300 meters below the brewery and their house yeast strain. The brewery was nationalised after the second world war and has remained in the hands of the people ever since. It is a source of national pride and cherished by the people of the Czech Republic.