E-Malt.com News article: Ukraine & Moldova: Iconic Guinness beer to be distributed by Slavutich, Carlsberg Group

Slavutich, Carlsberg Group, one of the largest beer manufacturers in Ukraine, and Diageo, a leading manufacturer of premium beverages in the world, signed an agreement about distributing the cult Irish beer brands - Guinness, Kilkenny and Harp in Ukraine and Moldova, Beer Business reported on July, 27.

This agreement will allow both companies to strengthen their positions in the Ukrainian beer market.

According to retail auditor AC Nielsen, within 5 months of 2011 the segment of the imported beer in Ukraine has increased up to 190% in volume terms and up to 137% in money terms in comparison with 2010. These positive changes give grounds for the successful development of the Irish beer brands in the country’s market.

“Slavutich is not only going to return the well-known dark beer to the market but also to increase significantly the level of Guinness distribution in the country. Light beer takes almost 80% of the Ukrainian beer market - this part of the market is highly competitive and has almost reached its limit. The appearance of the dark beer in our portfolio ensures high potential of growth in the coming years. Guinness is just the brand that will help us strengthen our positions in the premium segment,” said Peter Chernyshov, Chief Executive at Slavutich, Carlsberg Group.

Guinness is the most popular Irish beer invented in 1759 in Dublin, and at present it is brewed in 50 and sold in 150 countries around the world.

Slavutich, Carlsberg Group is going to distribute the Guinness Draught brand with the alcohol content of 4.1% in kegs and cans. Guinness Original brand with an alcohol content of minimum 4.8% will be available in the bottle of 0.33 l.

Kilkenny is a special Irish ale with rich red colour, which is obtained by adding a small amount of specially processed malt during its brewing. The recipe of the original red colour was developed in the XIV century by the Franciscan monks in Ireland. Kilkenny is a semi-dark beer of 4.2% alcohol content.

Harp is a rather new beer brand which appeared in 1959 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Guinness brewery. It is a lager of 4.9% alcohol content that is brewed from high quality ingredients.


27 July, 2011