World: Carlsberg to continue to keep beer at heard of its business, CEO says

Carlsberg will continue to keep beer at the heart of its business, even as the share of local beer brands has, for the first time, fallen below half of the group's total sales. This was stated in an interview conducted by the Financial Times with the Danish brewing giant's CEO, Jacob Aarup-Andersen.

"We have a very strong heritage and a strong brewing DNA in the company, and I will not let go of that. Carlsberg is, at its core, a brewery," Aarup-Andersen told the British financial newspaper.

Aarup-Andersen noted that consumers' growing focus on moderation has led the company to strengthen its offerings in soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, but he also emphasized that beer remains crucial for the group's relevance.

In 2025, beer brands accounted for 49 percent of sales, while soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages had risen to about one third.

19 January, 2026