Heineken and Diageo announce partnership

In January 2005 Heineken Russia and Diageo have announced that they would commence a partnership for the production and distribution of Guinness in Russia. From 1st of July 2005 Heineken Brewery LLC will become the authorized importer and distributor of Guinness and Kilkenny brands in Russia. Heineken will start local production of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout under license in St Petersburg before July 2005.
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout will be produced and sold in 0.5 litre cans and 0.5 litre bottles at the former Bravo brewery which Heineken bought in 2002. The acquisitions provided the company with a reported market share of 8.6 percent in Russia and strengthened its position as number three brewer on the Russian beer market. Heineken Russia is an employer of over 4,000 people..

At the moment Heineken Russia consists of a group of four non-listed companies located in different parts of the Russian Federation: Heineken Brewery LLC in St Petersburg with brand portfolio consisting of locally produced Heineken, national brands Bochkarev, Ohota, licensed Bavarian Löwenbräu, Buckler and imported Amstel and Murphy’s; Volga brewery in Nizhny Novgorod with key regional brands Rusich, Okskoye and Volga; Shikhan brewery in Sterlitamak (Bashkortostan) with popular local brands Shikhan, Solyanaya Pristan and Sedoy Ural; and Sobol Beer in Novosibirsk famous for its Sobol brand.