Dark beer makes its way North and East

Traditionally, Finland represents the biggest export sales. So far, 12,000 hl. of Dark Velkopopovický Kozel has been sold there this year. In Finland, it is the most popular imported brand and it is the symbol of high quality within the category of dark beers. Russia, with its 3,000 hl., is a very important market for the Central Bohemian brewery. Germany, Israel, Ukraine, and Belarus are among other countries with import volume higher than 1,000. Dark Kozel is exported to total of 23 countries on three continents.

„This year we started to export Dark Velkopopovický Kozel to several other countries. Croatia, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea are examples of our new trading outlets. South Korea also became the biggest purchaser of dark Popovice beer,“ says Jiří Fusek, head maltster of  Velkopopovický Kozel company. Looking at the export increase percentiles, we see that Lithuania has been the high jumper of the year when it comes to the consummation of dark Popovice beer. Here, sales numbers doubled in comparison with last year.

Since 2000, dark Velkopopovický Kozel has been the only dark beer within the portfolio of Plzeňský Prazdroj, Inc. However, abroad, it is not a  popular beer just by chance. Its quality has been indicated by numerous regular successes at different international competitions. For example, it was awarded gold medals at the International Beer Championship in Australia, and at the International Competition of Quality “Monde Selection” in Belgium. The most recent success Dark Kozel has taken in was at the Australian International Beer Awards, where it received a  silver medal in the category of dark beers.

Finland – beer culture in the country with the biggest import of Dark Kozel

In a supermarket, you can buy beer with a volume of up to 4.4% alcohol. More potent beer is more expensive and can only be bought in the specialized store Alko, which is the only reseller of heavy drinks in Finland. You can buy all stronger alcoholic beverages in Alko, from strong beer and wine all the way up to vodka.

Thirds of beer are very popular in Finland, typically in cans. Glass bottles are rare. However, it is necessary to mention that cans are refundable in Finland. In restaurants, the draft beer goes into 0,33 l glasses. Prices, however, are notably higher than in our country, and they can hike high above the sum of 100 Czech koruna. In terms of the consumption per capita, the Finnish have a consumption level of 50% of that of the Czechs, and traditionally place somewhere around 10th place.

When it comes to traditional Finnish beer, it tastes very similar to Czech lagers, and dark beer is as popular. That is perhaps why Dark Kozel is so popular there. However, Velkopopovický Kozel is distinct in its proof rate and thus in its increased drinkability. It came to the Finnish market in 1995. In Finland, Kozel is considered a premium beer.

Further information:

David Frodl
Ogilvy Public Relations
tel.: 221 998 410, 724 244 473
e-mail:

Velké Popovice