130 years of Czech beer: The story of Budweiser Budvar
In 1895, a significant chapter in the Czech brewing industry began. This distinctly Czech company was established in response to the Czech-German rivalry in Budějovice and the dominance of the German Měšt'anský Pivovar.
Czech national brewers, led by August Zátka, established a brewery that continued the long-standing tradition of Budějovice beer production. On October 7, 1895, the first brewmaster of the Czech Joint Stock Brewery brewed the first batch of beer. This moment marked the beginning of the history of the famous Budějovice brewery.
Budvar – A Brand of Global Importance
In 1930, the Budvar trademark was registered, becoming synonymous with quality and a leading brand of export lager. The name "Budvar" refers to the town of České Budějovice (Budweis in German) and to a brewing tradition dating back to the 13th century. The success of the brand led to the brewery being renamed Budvar – Czech Joint Stock Brewery in 1936.
Litigation and global success
Since 1907, Budvar has faced lawsuits over the "Budweiser" brand, primarily against the American company Anheuser-Busch InBev. Budvar has been successful not only in the courtrooms but also on international markets - its beer is now available in more than 70 countries.
The fact that Budvar is drunk a lot in Poland, Germany or Slovakia probably won't put anyone off, but you know you can buy it even when you see the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Lord of the Rings landscape in New Zealand or the endless plains of Mongolia.
Record production and Czech pride
In 2024, Budweiser Budvar reached a historic milestone, brewing a record 1.927 million hectolitres of beer, the equivalent of 77 Olympic swimming pools! Exports accounted for over 70% of production, while the domestic market also saw significant growth. Over the last three years, Budvar has contributed CZK 1.35 billion to the Czech state budget.
“We are very happy that we are succeeding in our long-term mission—to spread the glory of Czech beer far beyond the borders of the country,” said Budvar’s director, Petr Dvořák, adding that this opens the door for other Czech breweries.
The combination of tradition, art, and modernity
Budweiser Budvar not only continues the tradition of Czech beer but also blends it with art. In 2024, the brewery collaborated with Czech microbreweries on unique beer specials such as breweries Zlatá Kráva, Dva Kohouti, Cobolis, and Lucky Bastard. On top of this, the TMBK graphic designer created a limited-edition can for Budvar 33.
