Carlsberg’s net profit nearly halved 

What’s the Danish for ‘Damn it. Last year did not go well for us.’ That must have been on many Danish executives’ lips when Carlsberg posted a net profit for 2004 of DKK 477 million (EUR 64 million), nearly half that of 2003 at DKK 956 million."EBITDA fell to DKK 3.4 billion from DKK 3.6 billion in 2003. Net sales increased 4 percent to DKK 36 billion largely due to increased sales in Russia and Poland. However, in Sweden the situation was more than grim so that Carlsberg will now have to cut 200 jobs as a cost saving measure." The company blamed the unfavourable dollar exchange rate and the introduction of a ban on smoking in pubs in several European countries for the disappointing sales. Nevertheless, Carlsberg is still predicting a 15 percent rise in net profits for 2005.

Czech Republic - beerland with a long tradition

The 30th International Congress of the European Brewery Convention will take place in the Czech from 14 to 19 May 2005 capital of Prague. The big breweries of the country will be hosting the technical visits. But there is even much more to Czech beer tradition and culture.
There are not many countries or nations around the world where beer means as much as it does to the Czechs. It’s a matter of history. Beer brewing has a long tradition here. The ancient Celts began brewing beer several thousand years ago and beer has been brewed from hops in what is now Prague since the year 993. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Czech Republic is the "Promised Land" for beer. Beer is such a sacred potion for the Czechs that its patron is no other than the famous patron of all Czechs, St. ..

Largest part of Czech hop exports go to Japan

There was a slight increase in the export of hops from the Czech Republic in 2004. Although the export of raw hops and pressed hops was lower than in previous years there was a rise in the exports of hop pellets. The largest part of hops went to Japan, this was followed by exports to Germany, Poland, Belgium, Great Britain, China, Russia, Slovakia, Finland, altogether the hops in 2004 went directly from the Czech Republic to 36 countries.
The imports of hop extract declined to 10 year low last year. Majority of hop pellets used by Czech breweries come from Czech hop production. Apart from the fine aroma SAAZ hops, Czech breweries also use other Czech hop varieties Sladek, Premiant, Bor and Agnus. Last year also a new aroma hop ­variety Harmonie was registered.

Ginga all round the world

As of April this year, InBev will roll out Brahma globally - that is in more than 15 countries worldwide. According to InBev, the selling of Brahma outside of its Brazilian home market is expected to contribute EUR 30 million to InBev’s balance sheet by the end of 2007.
In a statement InBev says: ‘Rather than just a new brand, Brahma brings an entirely new experience and an exciting new attitude to the category. Its taste is light and refreshing, and has a clean and crisp finish with a papaya after-note. The curved bottle with embossed Brahma lettering gently and ergonomically fits into consumers’ hands. The design exudes modernity, sophistication, and creativity and the "Rio-Flash" colour of the Brahma brand block exudes all the passion and excitement wrapped up in Brazil.

Beware of the watchdog

Ah, the vagaries of politics: While the Slovenian competition watchdogs thought nothing of turning their beer market into a virtual monopoly, the UK’s Competition Commission decided that such things must be nipped in the bud. Hence they blocked Scottish & Newcastle and Carlsberg’s proposed deal to merge their Serviced Dispense Equipment technical services operation with Coors’ draught beer dispensing assets. According to local media reports, the Competition Commission feared the deal between the three brewers would have led to less competition, lower standards and higher prices.

Where the music plays

Hark his words. According to John Brock, Chief Executive Officer of InBev, acquisitions in the beer markets of China, Russia and Latin America offer the highest growth potentials. This is not to say that InBev, the combination of Interbrew and AmBev, will neglect future takeover targets in mature markets. However, there has to be a strategic fit. A ‘land grab’ is not what Brock has in mind.
In 2004, western European beer markets contributed 32 percent to InBev’s EBITDA of EUR 2.1 billion, the United States 20 percent, central and eastern Europe 13 percent, Asia 8 percent and Latin America 22 percent. AmBev only began contributing to InBev’s accounts from September 2004 onwards. InBev’s turnover in 2004 was EUR 8.5 billion (+21.6%). In 2004 EBITDA margin was 24.6 percent (2003: 21. ..

A winter’s tale

When the going gets tough - Increased consolidation and aggressive sales promotions, rapacious bargain hunters and declining demand: Did the international brewers know what they were in for when they entered the German beer market?

It’s a funny old world. For months a rumour had gone round that the marriage of true minds between Germany’s hotelier-to-brewer Schörghuber and Heineken had hit the rocks. But come October and there were smiling faces all around when their vassals announced the acquisition of the Fürstenberg brewery - a brewery established in the 13th century and situated in the Black Forest. In 2003 Fürstenberg brewery, which was owned by the House of Fürstenberg, had sold 700,000 hl of beverages and achieved a turnover of EUR 57 million. Heineken got lucky.

This was the conclusion drawn by Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Mezger, Scientific Assistant at the Faculty of Technology I in the Weihenstephan Scientific Centre for Nutrition, Land Use and Environment of the Technical University of Munich, in his lecture on the occasion of the 7th Bad Kissingen Brewer’s Day 2004 held in Bayreuth on March 25th, 2004. 99.5% of hops produced worldwide is processed in breweries, the remainder goes to the pharmaceutical industry. Valuable components of hops are:
--hop resins: 10 - 25% of hop dry matter;
--hop oils: 0.5 - 3.0% of hop dry matter;
--hop tannins: 4 - 14% of hop dry matter.
75% of hop essential oils are terpene hydrocarbons and 25% oxy-compounds. They also contain small quantities of sulphur compounds. Threshold levels are 5 µg/l and > 20 µg/l..

Teimuraz Bolloev, 51, Baltika’s charismatic and colourful president of 13 years, handed in his resignation shortly before Christmas last year. His decision did not come as a surprise to Scottish & Newcastle that jointly owns Baltika with Carlsberg. While no one knows his plans for the future, it is not ruled out that as one of President Vladimir Putin’s close associates, Bolloev could take a high-level government job.
As early as September, in the wake of the Beslan hostage drama, when Chechen rebels, who were backed by Muslim militants, took more than 1,200 people hostage in this North Ossetian village, leaving several hundred dead, some Russian politicians tipped Bolloev to become North Ossetia’s next president. According to the Stepan Razin brewing company (St.0 to 1..

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..