{{Short description|Czech beer brewery}} {{about|the Czech brewery|the US-made Budweiser beer|Budweiser}} {{Infobox company | name = Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik | logo = Budweiser Budvar Brewery logo.png | logo_size = 300 | trade_name = Budweiser Budvar Brewery | former_name = {{unbulleted list|Czech Joint-Stock Brewery (1895–1930)|Budvar-Czech Joint-Stock Brewery České Budějovice (1930–1967)}} | type = State-owned enterprise | industry = Alcoholic beverages and brewing | foundation = {{start date and age|1895}} | hq_location = Karolíny Světlé 512/4 | location_city = České Budějovice | key_people = {{unbulleted list| Petr Dvořák (CEO)| Adam Brož (brewmaster) }} | products = Lager varieties, such as pale lager, dunkel and eisbock | production = {{increase}} 1.6 million hL of beer<ref name=":5" /> (2015) | revenue = {{increase}} CZK 2,470 million<ref name=":5" /> (2015) | operating_income = {{increase}} CZK 349.8 million<ref name=":5" /> (2015) | num_employees = 653<ref name=":5" /> (2015) | location_country = Czech Republic | homepage = {{URL|https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/}} }}
'''Budweiser Budvar''' ({{Langx|cs|Budějovický Budvar}} {{IPA|cs|ˈbuɟɛjovɪtskiː ˈbudvar|}}) is a brewery in the Czech city of České Budějovice ({{langx|de|Budweis}}), best known for its original Budweiser or Budweiser Budvar pale lager brewed using artesian water, Moravian barley and Saaz hops.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.faz.net/bierblog/2016/02/16/wem-gehoert-das-deutsche-bier-137/|title=Wem gehört das deutsche Bier?|date=2016-02-16|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine|access-date=2017-12-05|language=de-DE}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/budweiser-budvar-cesk-bud-jovice-how-to-visit-budweis-tours-tastings-breweries-how-to-get-there-a8045256.html|title=How Budweiser Budvar became the heart of Czech beer culture|last=Redmayne|first=Nick|date=2017-11-09|work=The Independent|access-date=2017-12-05|language=en-GB}}</ref> Budweiser Budvar is the fourth largest beer producer in the Czech Republic and the second largest exporter of beer abroad.<ref>{{cite news|title=MAPA: Komu patří pivovary v Česku? Čtyři piva z deseti jsou z Prazdroje|url=https://ekonomika.idnes.cz/podily-pivovaru-na-tuzemskem-trhu-dt2-/ekoakcie.aspx?c=A151014_105550_ekoakcie_fih|work=iDNES.cz|date=14 October 2015}}</ref>
The state-owned brewery and its Budweiser pale lager have been engaged in a trademark dispute with Anheuser-Busch over the right to market and sell the beer under the name ''Budweiser'' since the start of the 20th century,<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> and consequently is imported as '''Czechvar''' in some countries. The brewery is incorporated as '''Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik''' ("Budweiser Budvar, national enterprise").
== History ==
=== 1265–1895 === thumb|left|Share of the ''Český akciový pivovar'' in Budvar, issued 30. November 1924 thumb|Former brewery logo The history of brewing in České Budějovice ({{langx|de|Budweis}}) dates back to 1265, when Ottokar II, King of Bohemia, granted the city brewing rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/en/o-spolecnosti/historie.html|title=History of the brewery|website=Budějovický Budvar, n.p.|language=en|access-date=2017-12-06}}</ref> At one point, the city was the imperial brewery of the Holy Roman Empire.<ref name=":2" /> To promote the quality of the drink, nearby towns were forbidden from brewing. To distinguish Budweis beer from that coming from other regions, it was called Budweiser Bier ("beer from Budweis" in German).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/en/o-spolecnosti/budejovicky-budvar.html#ochranne-znamky|title=Budweiser Budvar Brewery's trademarks|website=Budějovický Budvar, n.p.|language=en|access-date=2017-12-06}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/food-whats-in-a-name-dont-ask-bud-lovers-that-1477295.html|title=What's in a Name? Don't Ask Bud Lovers That|last=Remakant|first=Manu|date=2017-07-30|work=News18|access-date=2017-12-06}}</ref> By the early 16th century, the Czech brewing industry was providing up to 87% of the total revenue for municipalities. The Thirty Years' War between 1618 and 1648, however, devastated much of Central Europe and with it, the Czech beer industry. Concurrently, the Kingdom of Bohemia became a part of the Habsburg monarchy after the war.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|title=The Czechs in a Nutshell|last=Englund|first=Terje B.|publisher=Baset|year=2004|isbn=8073400510|location=Prague|pages=37–38}}</ref>
A separate brewery, Budweiser Bürgerbräu ({{Langx|cs|Budějovický měšťanský pivovar}}) was founded in 1795 by the city's German-speaking citizens and started brewing Budweiser Bier in 1802.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/centuries-old-budweiser-bier-heading-for-st-louis-to-take-on-american-giant|title=Centuries-old 'Budweiser Bier' heading for St Louis to take on American giant|last=Kenety|first=Brian|date=2005-08-22|work=Radio Praha|access-date=2017-12-06|language=en}}</ref> The company began shipping its beer to the United States in 1875. A year later, Adolphus Busch, a German immigrant to the United States and a businessman, encountered the brewery's Budweiser often during his visit to Europe. Thus, he decided to name his own beer Budweiser and brew it according to the Bohemian process.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/budweisers-america-no-longer-exists-2016-05-11|title=Budweiser's 'America' no longer exists|last=Notte|first=Jason|date=2016-05-11|work=MarketWatch|access-date=2017-12-06|language=en-US}}</ref> Budweiser Bürgerbräu was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2014 to aid its claim on the Budweiser trademark.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ab-inbev-buys-czech-brewery-1404321411|title=InBev Buys Brewery Where Budweiser Name Began|last=Rousek|first=Leos|date=2014-07-02|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2017-12-06|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
=== 1895–present ===
[[File:Pivovar Budvar - budova 2.jpg|thumb|Budweiser Budvar's headquarters and brewery in the Kněžské Dvory suburb of České Budějovice, pictured in 2011]] Budweiser Budvar Brewery was incorporated in 1895 as the Czech Joint Stock Brewery when local Czech breweries in České Budějovice, then part of Austria-Hungary, merged and started brewing Budweiser with new technology. The name ''Budvar'' is a portmanteau of ''Bud''ějovice Pivo''var'' 'Budweis Brewery'.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Oliver |first=Garrett |title=The Oxford Companion to Beer |year=2011 |isbn=978-0195367133 |pages=191 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |language=en}}, s.v. 'Budweiser Budvar'</ref> With the German occupation of Czechoslovakia during World War II and its communist-rule during the Cold War, the brewery was unable to compete with the American Anheuser-Busch as production faltered. By 1948, all Czech breweries had been nationalized by the communist government.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":1" />
The brewery reported in 2015 that it had grown by 226% since 1991 and that its total sales volume had increased by 39% in the last ten years.<ref name=":5" />
== Budweiser Budvar == [[File:Beer_vats_at_Budweiser_brewery.jpg|thumb| Historical beer vats inside the brewery in České Budějovice, pictured in 2004 ]]
=== Production === Budweiser Budvar beer is produced in the brewery at České Budějovice, drawing artesian water from wells beneath it, with Moravian barley and Saaz hops, known as a noble hop variety, from the Žatec region.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> It is matured for a minimum of 90 days, contrasted with 72 hours of lagering (maturation) for mass-market beers.<ref name=":2" /> In 2004, the European Union awarded Budweiser Budvar Protected Geographical Indication status.<ref name=":2" /> Budweiser is the brewery's "signature product" and a "symbol of national pride".<ref name=":4" /> The drinks reviewer Michael Jackson said the following of the company's lager in 2002:<blockquote>Budweiser Budvar is a great beer because it has great raw materials and great brewers. They produce it in a slow and painstaking way. Its integrity is best served by its being produced in its town of origin, in a region with pride in its beer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-001717.html|title=Does the world understand Czech beers?|last=Jackson|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Jackson (writer)|date=2002-05-02|type=Speech at the Czech Embassy in London|access-date=2017-12-05}}</ref></blockquote> In 1990, the company brewed 450,000 hectolitres (59,000 cu. yd.) of beer a year and exported to 18 countries; in 2013, 1.42 million hectolitres (185,000 cu. yd.) and 66 countries; and in 2015, 1.6 million hectolitres (210,000 cu. yd.) and 76 countries, respectively.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|url=https://business.time.com/2014/01/27/where-a-budweiser-isnt-allowed-to-be-a-budweiser/|title=Where a Budweiser Isn't Allowed to Be a Budweiser|last=Cunningham|first=Benjamin|date=2014-01-27|magazine=Time|access-date=2017-12-05|language=en-US|issn=0040-781X}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/en/media/tiskove-zpravy/2016/obchodni-vysledky2015.html|title=Budweiser Budvar Brewery's 2015 business and economic results|date=2016-07-21|website=Budějovický Budvar, n.p.|language=en|access-date=2017-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206205109/http://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/en/media/tiskove-zpravy/2016/obchodni-vysledky2015.html|archive-date=2017-12-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the most bought foreign beer in Germany, selling approximately 290,000 hectolitres (38,000 cu. yd.) in 2016,<ref name=":0" /> and the best selling Czech beer in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radio.cz/en/section/spotlight/enjoying-a-czech-beer-in-london|title=Enjoying a Czech beer in London|last=Willoughby|first=Ian|date=2003-03-26|work=Radio Praha|access-date=2017-12-05|language=en}}</ref>
=== Trademark dispute === [[File:Budweiser Coop.jpg|thumb|Budweiser as sold in Geneva, Switzerland in 2017]] {{Main|Budweiser trademark dispute}} Budweiser Budvar Brewery and the American brewery Anheuser-Busch have been engaged in an ongoing trademark dispute over the name ''Budweiser'' since the start of the 20th century. In 1939, only one week before the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, Budweiser Budvar agreed to concede exclusive rights to the American brewery in the United States area.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://is.cuni.cz/webapps/zzp/download/120256567|title=Fair Use of Trademarks: Anheuser-Busch v Budějovicky Budvar|last=Watkins|first=Kirby|publisher=Charles University|year=2007|location=Prague}}</ref> During World War II and the Cold War, Budweiser Budvar was unable to compete with then independent Anheuser-Busch. In 1994, then CEO of Budweiser Budvar, Jiří Boček, decided not to sign a trademark agreement with the American brewery to divide their territory across the world.<ref name=":3" /> On 29 July 2010, Anheuser-Busch lost its last-instance appeal in the European Court of Justice, meaning it may not register the name ''Budweiser'' as a European Union trademark for beer.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2010-07-29|title=Judgment in Case C-214/09 P Anheuser-Busch Inc. v OHIM and Budĕjovický Budvar, národní podnik|url=https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2010-07/cp100077en.pdf|journal=Court of Justice of the European Union}}</ref>
Consequently Budweiser Budvar beer is imported as ''"Czechvar"'' in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines and the United States<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.czechvar.com/contact.html|title=Contact us|website=www.czechvar.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212204/http://www.czechvar.com/contact.html|archive-date=2015-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/first-czech-beer-to-hit-phl-market/|title=First Czech beer to hit PHL market|date=2017-10-22|website=BusinessMirror|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-06}}</ref> and Anheuser-Busch sells its beer as ''"Bud"'' in most of the European Union.
=== Beers === thumb|Budweiser Budvar beer logo [[File:Budvar-mug.JPG|thumb|upright|A mug of Budweiser pale lager]] The company brews different types of lager:<ref>{{cite web|title=Naše pivo|url=https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/piva|website=Budejovickybudvar.cz|language=cs|access-date=2018-03-18}}</ref> * ''Classic'', a pale draught beer with 4.0% ABV (in Czech: 10° or ''Výčepní''). * ''Original'', 90-day matured pale lager and flagship of the brand, marketed as a premium lager, contains 5.0% ABV (in Czech: 12° or ''Ležák''). * ''Dark'', a dark lager with Munich, caramel and roasted malt and 4.7% ABV (in Czech: ''Tmavé''). * ''Special'', the original pale lager with added cultures of yeast (krausened lager) and 5.0% ABV (in Czech: ''Kroužkovaný ležák''). * ''Cvikl'', an unfiltered yeast pale lager with 4.0% ABV (in Czech: ''Nefiltrované'', zwickel). * ''Strong'', a strong pale lager matured for 200 days, contains 7.5% ABV (in Czech: 16° or ''Speciál''). * ''Free'', a low-alcohol beer with 0.5% ABV (in Czech: ''Nealkoholické''). * ''Cryo'', an eisbock with 21% ABV (in Czech: ''Mražený speciál''). Additionally, Budweiser Budvar brewery produces beer under the Pardál brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pivo Pardál ... pivo vyladěné samotnými pijáky!|url=https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/piva/pardal|website=Budejovickybudvar.cz|language=cs|access-date=2018-03-18}}</ref> * ''Pardál'', a pale draught beer with 3.8% ABV. * ''Pardál Echt'', a pale lager with 4.5% ABV. * ''Pardál Echt kvasnicový'', an unfiltered yeast beer with 4.5% ABV. * Pardálovo Bezové, an elderberry beer with 2.0% ABV.
== List of brewmasters == The following is a list of Budweiser Budvar Brewery's brewmasters:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beerculture.org/2009/01/15/new-brewmaster-at-budvar/|title=A New Brewmaster Takes Over at Budweiser Budvar|last=Rail|first=Evan|date=2009-01-15|website=Beer Culture|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-06}}</ref> * Antonín Holeček, 1.4.1895–31.3.1899 * František Felix, 1.4.1899-31.12.1908 * Josef Brych, 1.1.1909–26.2.1919 * Vladimír Kořán, 1.3.1919-31.12.1935 * Oldřich Miškovský, 1.1.1936–30.4.1942 * Václav Rambousek, 1.5.1942–10.4.1948 * Rudolf Smolík, 1.1.1949–31.7.1959 * Miloš Heide, 1.8.1959–31.12.1984 * Josef Tolar, 1.1.1985–31.12.2008 * Adam Brož, 1.1.2009–present
== See also == {{Commons category|Budweiser Budvar}} * Beer in the Czech Republic * Pilsner
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==Further reading== * {{Cite journal|last=Hall|first=Timothy|date=2003|title=Pivo and Pohoda: The Social Conditions and Symbolism of Czech Beer Drinking|url=https://josotl.indiana.edu/index.php/aeer/article/download/370/445|journal=Anthropology of East Europe Review|volume=21|pages=109–126}} * {{Cite book|title=Budweisers into Czechs and Germans: A Local History of Bohemian Politics, 1848-1948|last=King|first=Jeremy|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2005|isbn=9780691122342|location=New Jersey}}
==External links== * {{Official|https://www.budejovickybudvar.cz/en/index.html}} * [https://czechvar.com/ Official website of Czechvar]
{{Portal bar|Czech Republic|Beer|Companies}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|48.9935766|14.4761973|region:CZ-31_type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Products with protected designation of origin Budejovicky Budvar Category:Beer brands of the Czech Republic Category:Food and drink companies established in 1895 Category:1895 establishments in Austria-Hungary Category:19th-century establishments in Bohemia Category:České Budějovice